At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategic design and governance of controlled airspace for major airport operations.
- Company: Join a major international airport or aviation organisation at the forefront of airspace management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape the future of aviation.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative infrastructure project that impacts air travel and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in aviation and strong knowledge of airspace regulation required.
- Other info: Diverse workplace committed to equality and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 Β£ per year.
Location: Major International Airport / Aviation Organisation
Reporting to: COO (or equivalent)
Level: Senior Leadership / Executive
Role Purpose
The Head of Airspace is accountable for the strategic leadership, design, governance, and performance of controlled airspace supporting airport operations. The role ensures the safe, efficient, and sustainable use of complex and constrained airspace, enabling operational resilience, future growth, and environmental objectives.
Key Accountabilities
- Airspace Strategy & Modernisation
- Own and deliver the long-term airspace strategy aligned with national and international modernisation programmes.
- Lead airspace design, change, and future capacity initiatives to support current and long-term operations.
- Safety, Regulation & Assurance
- Act as accountable owner for airspace safety and regulatory compliance, including ICAO and national frameworks.
- Sponsor airspace change proposals, safety cases, and approvals, supported by robust governance and risk management.
- Operational Performance & Resilience
- Optimise airspace performance to improve capacity, punctuality, and disruption recovery.
- Work with ATC and airport operations, using data and modelling to drive continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder & Partner Leadership
- Represent the organisation with ANSPs, regulators, government, airlines, and international bodies.
- Lead complex partnerships and negotiations to align national, regional, and local airspace priorities.
- Community, Noise & Sustainability
- Lead noise, environmental, and community engagement activity related to airspace change.
- Ensure airspace strategy supports sustainability, noise reduction, and net-zero objectives.
- Leadership & Governance
- Lead specialist airspace teams and manage budgets, consultancy, and multi-year programmes.
- Provide authoritative advice and recommendations to Executive Committees and Boards.
Key Deliverables
- Approved airspace change programmes and regulatory approvals
- Improved airspace efficiency, resilience, and operational performance
- Reduced environmental and noise impacts where practicable
- Strong, trusted relationships across industry, government, and communities
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Essential
- Senior leadership experience in airspace, ATM, aviation operations, or regulation
- Strong knowledge of airspace regulation and safety-critical change
- Proven executive-level stakeholder management experience
- Desirable
- Experience within an ANSP, major airport, airline, or aviation regulator
- Experience of public consultation or community-sensitive programmes
- Knowledge of environmental and noise management frameworks
Qualifications
- Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience
- Postgraduate qualification, chartered status, or relevant aviation certifications desirable
If this sounds like something of interest and if you want to be part of the next biggest infrastructure project of the decade, please get in touch for some more information.
Ardour Associates values diversity and promotes equality. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Head Of Airspace in London employer: Ardour Associates Ltd
Contact Detail:
Ardour Associates Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head Of Airspace in London
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at aviation events or online forums. We all know that sometimes itβs not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its airspace strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends. The more prepared you are, the more confident you'll feel!
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your past work or projects related to airspace management. We want to see how youβve made an impact in previous roles, so donβt hold back on sharing your successes.
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Letβs make your next career move a great one!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Airspace in London
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in airspace management and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Airspace, so donβt hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Strategic Vision: In your application, emphasise your ability to develop and implement long-term strategies. Weβre looking for someone who can lead airspace design and modernisation, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex projects in the past.
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement: This role involves a lot of collaboration with various stakeholders. Make sure to include experiences where youβve effectively managed relationships with ANSPs, regulators, or community groups. We love seeing strong communication skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. Itβs the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows youβre keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ardour Associates Ltd
β¨Know Your Airspace Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of airspace management and current regulations. Familiarise yourself with ICAO standards and any recent changes in airspace design that could impact operations. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your commitment to the role.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior leader, youβll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage complex projects. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully led initiatives or navigated challenges in airspace management. Highlight your strategic thinking and how youβve driven operational performance.
β¨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder management is key for this role. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with various stakeholders, including regulators and airlines. Think of specific instances where you negotiated or collaborated effectively to achieve common goals, and be prepared to share these stories.
β¨Emphasise Sustainability and Community Engagement
Given the focus on environmental objectives, come prepared to discuss your understanding of noise management and community engagement strategies. Share any relevant experiences where youβve successfully implemented sustainable practices or engaged with communities to address their concerns.