At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and govern Ground Operations training, ensuring compliance and effectiveness in a regulated aviation environment.
- Company: Join AirTanker, a key player in the UK's defence capability with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, bonuses, an EV scheme, and a contributory pension.
- Other info: Engage in adventure training, battlefield tours, and family fun days for a sense of belonging.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and operational readiness while shaping future training standards.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in training management within regulated environments, strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51458 - 57175 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Ground Operations Training Manager to lead and govern all Ground Operations training within a highly regulated aviation environment. Reporting to the Head of Training & Capability, this role has full ownership of Ground Operations training strategy, governance, delivery coordination, and regulatory compliance. You will act as the central point of contact for internal stakeholders and key external partners, including Thales UK, ensuring training programmes are compliant, effective, and future-ready.
AirTanker is a vital part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering air-to-air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. We operate at the intersection of military precision and commercial innovation. As the Ground Operations Training Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring safe, compliant and effective ground operations across the organisation. By leading training governance, coordinating delivery with internal teams and external partners, and maintaining regulatory compliance, you will directly contribute to operational readiness, safety performance and the ongoing competence of Ground Operations staff.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and governing all Ground Operations training activities, ensuring full compliance with UK CAA regulatory requirements.
- Acting as custodian of the Company Operations Manual – Part D3, maintaining accurate and audit-ready training documentation.
- Chairing and owning the bi-monthly Ground Operations Training Governance Meeting, managing actions and representing training at wider forums.
- Serving as the organisational lead for internal compliance reviews and external audits, including UK CAA audits.
- Working closely with Thales UK, Babcock, VTS and internal teams to coordinate theoretical, CBT, AIMS, OJT and SME-delivered training.
- Identifying future training and capability needs, commissioning or integrating new training solutions where required.
- Overseeing training systems and records (including PaperBox CBT and EVOKE), producing expiry reports and compliance metrics.
- Managing the annual Ground Operations Training budget.
- Producing accurate monthly training statistics, reports and governance outputs for senior stakeholders.
- Supporting Competency Assurance Programme (CAP) activity and the Ground Operations shadowing programme.
What you’ll bring:
- Extensive experience managing training programmes in a highly regulated environment (aviation preferred).
- Strong knowledge of training governance, compliance, auditing and documentation control.
- Experience working with learning management systems (LMS), CBT platforms and Microsoft Office.
- The ability to interpret and apply UK CAA regulatory requirements.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills across multiple organisations.
- Strong organisational skills with a high attention to detail.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and external partners.
- A proactive, continuous-improvement mindset with strong analytical skills.
Ground Operations Training Manager employer: AirTanker Ltd
AirTanker is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead Ground Operations training within a highly regulated aviation environment at Brize Norton. With a strong focus on leadership and influence, employees benefit from comprehensive training governance exposure, strategic contributions to workforce competence, and a supportive work culture that includes adventure training and family events. The company also provides an attractive benefits package, including private medical insurance and a contributory pension, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful employment in the defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ground Operations Training Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common questions for Ground Operations Training Managers. We should also think about how our past experiences align with the job description, especially around compliance and training governance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership skills during the interview. We want to highlight any experience we have in managing teams or projects, especially in regulated environments. This will demonstrate our capability to lead Ground Operations training effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating our interest in the role can keep us fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows we’re proactive and genuinely interested in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Ground Operations Training Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Ground Operations Training Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing training programmes, especially in regulated environments like aviation. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership and compliance skills. Let us know why you’re excited about joining AirTanker!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In this role, you'll be working with various internal and external partners. Make sure to highlight your communication and stakeholder management skills in your application. We want to see how you can influence and collaborate effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at AirTanker!
How to prepare for a job interview at AirTanker Ltd
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarise yourself with UK CAA regulatory requirements and how they apply to Ground Operations training. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've ensured compliance in previous roles, as this will show your understanding of the industry's standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to share experiences where you've led training programmes or governance meetings. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage cross-functional teams, as this role requires strong leadership and communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Think of instances where you've identified training needs or implemented new solutions that enhanced operational readiness. Discussing your proactive approach to continuous improvement will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a regulated environment. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them, particularly in relation to compliance and training delivery.