Strategic Operations Manager

Job Description: Strategic Operational Manager Reporting to: General / Accountable Manager Location: Castle Air Academy, Gloucestershire Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent ________________________________________ Primary Objective of the Role To support the Accountable Manager in delivering strategic, operational, and financial goals across Castle Air Academy, Gloucester and support the CTKI and FSTD Manager roles. This high-impact role acts as a strategic coordinator, analytical advisor, and operational enabler. It ensures the smooth execution of key initiatives, regulatory compliance, and commercial performance as the Academy scales. The postholder will be a proactive, analytical individual able to anticipate needs, manage complexity, and contribute meaningfully to strategic initiatives within a dynamic aviation training environment. A strong ability to build trust across stakeholders, both internal and external, is essential. ________________________________________ Key Competencies & Behaviours 1. Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen Definition: Understands broader business goals, identifies growth opportunities, and supports strategic decision-making. Behaviours: • Anticipates business needs and proactively gathers insights (e.g., new courses, training contracts, fleet strategy). • Synthesises financial data (e.g., course-level breakeven, margin modelling) into executive-ready outputs. • Tracks KPIs for scaling and profitability; identifies cost drivers and margin risks. • Benchmarks course pricing and supports commercial strategy and decision-making. • Contributes data to board briefings, management reviews, and business plans. ________________________________________ 2. Aviation Industry Awareness & Regulatory Insight Definition: Understands helicopter flight training operations and associated UK CAA regulatory frameworks. Behaviours: • Prepares documentation and audit materials for CAA inspections and internal reviews. • Interprets and briefs changes to UK aviation regulations (e.g., Part-FCL, ORA, ORS4/5/9). • Supports maintenance of CAA-approved manuals (e.g., TM, OM, SMS, CMM). • Liaises with regulators and external ATOs to maintain operational compliance. ________________________________________ 3. Project Coordination & Execution Definition: Manages Academy strategic and operational projects from planning to completion. Behaviours: • Creates and monitors project plans. • Develops and tracks Gantt charts and dashboards for strategic initiatives. • Tracks and oversees project milestones and risks—e.g., training throughput vs revenue goals. • Coordinates project delivery across training, operations, finance, and marketing. ________________________________________ 4. Stakeholder Management, Communication & Relationship Building Definition: Builds trusted relationships and represents the Academy professionally across internal and external interfaces. Behaviours: • Demonstrates a personable, professional and customer-oriented approach. • Prioritises long-term stakeholder and client relationships. • Acts as liaison for key partners, regulators, prospective clients and cadet sponsors. • Prepares communications, stakeholder briefings, and board papers. • Manages sensitive communications tactfully (e.g. pricing, complaints, regulatory discussions). ________________________________________ 5. Operational Agility & Problem Solving Definition: Responds flexibly to changing needs and applies sound judgement under pressure. Behaviours: • Handles critical tasks or escalations discreetly and efficiently. • Supports continuity of operations while progressing strategic priorities. • Diagnoses operational or compliance gaps and recommends improvements. ________________________________________ 6. Information & Workflow Management Definition: Structures and manages the flow of communications and data to and from the AM. Behaviours: • Screens and prioritises meeting requests and correspondence based on relevance and urgency. • Maintains briefing packs and high-level reporting for strategic meetings. • Organises shared digital workspaces and maintains compliance-ready records. ________________________________________ 7. High-Level Discretion & Professional Integrity Definition: Handles sensitive matters with complete confidentiality and loyalty. Behaviours: • Acts as a trusted advisor to the AM, raising concerns respectfully and offering solutions. • Maintains confidentiality on finance, HR, and regulatory matters. • Upholds the Academy’s brand, values, and professionalism in all dealings. ________________________________________ 8. Change Readiness & Growth Mindset Definition: Embraces change and seeks to improve operations through innovation and feedback. Behaviours: • Identifies inefficiencies and suggests improvements across departments or processes. • Promotes a culture of agility, learning, and cross-functional support. • Takes ownership of internal transformation projects (e.g. onboarding digitisation, simulator expansion programme). ________________________________________ 9. Time Management & Prioritisation Definition: Plans and executes tasks efficiently in a fast-paced training environment. Behaviours: • Maintains a forward-looking executive calendar aligned to key Academy cycles. • Plans ahead for strategic priorities, while handling urgent tasks effectively. • Resolves scheduling and deadline conflicts with foresight and professionalism. ________________________________________ Desired Qualifications & Experience • Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior executive support, operations, or strategy coordination role. • Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly in regulated or complex industries. • Strong business acumen, ideally with relevant postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc/MBA in Business, Management, or related field). • Excellent organisational, written, and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing materials for executive-level meetings. • High proficiency with collaborative digital project management tools and financial modelling platforms (e.g., the complete MS Suite, Smartsheet, Trello, SharePoint, Asana, Notion). • Demonstrated interest in aviation, education, or training sectors and a willingness to develop deeper regulatory and operational understanding. 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