At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UK Flight Operations, ensuring safety and operational excellence in a dynamic aviation environment.
- Company: Join CHC Helicopter, a leader in the aviation industry with a focus on safety and customer service.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence strategy, work with an experienced team, and make a lasting impact.
- Other info: This role offers significant visibility and career growth within a complex, safety-critical environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of flight operations and drive innovation in a respected helicopter operation.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in aviation and strong commitment to safety and compliance.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
- We're Hiring: Manager Flight Operations UK (MFO)
- Aberdeen, UK | Leadership | Travel within the UK | UK CAA Post Holder
CHC Helicopter is seeking an exceptional aviation leader to join our UK Leadership Team as Manager Flight Operations.
This is one of the most senior operational leadership roles within our UK business, combining strategic leadership with regulatory accountability as the nominated UK Flight Operations Post Holder.
Leading one of the UK's most respected helicopter operations, you will shape the future of Flight Operations, drive operational excellence, and ensure the highest standards of safety, compliance and customer delivery across our UK AOC.
About the Role
Reporting to the Operations Director (UK Accountable Manager), you will provide strategic leadership for all UK Flight Operations, balancing operational performance, regulatory compliance, commercial delivery and people leadership.
The role also has a dotted line to the Director Flight Standards.
Working closely with the leadership team, you will influence business strategy whilst maintaining strong relationships with customers, regulators, employee representatives and global stakeholders.
This role offers significant visibility across the organisation and the opportunity to directly influence operational performance within a complex, safety-critical aviation environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for all UK Flight Operations.
- Fulfil the responsibilities of the UK Flight Operations Post Holder.
- Lead the delivery of safe, compliant and efficient flying operations.
- Drive operational performance, resource planning and cost effectiveness.
- Build strong relationships with customers, regulators and industry stakeholders.
- Lead engagement with pilot groups, including industrial relations matters.
- Develop and mentor a high-performing leadership team.
- Implement and uphold CHC's global Flight Standards within the UK AOC and contribute to their development as a member of the global Flight Standards Team.
- Champion continuous improvement, innovation and safety performance.
- Represent CHC with credibility both internally and externally.
- What You'll Bring
- Extensive senior leadership experience within commercial helicopter or aviation operations.
- Eligibility to satisfy UK CAA Flight Operations Post Holder requirements.
- Strong commercial awareness alongside an uncompromising commitment to safety.
- Experience leading large operational teams within complex, regulated environments.
- Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and leading organisational change.
- Outstanding communication, relationship-building and leadership capability.
- Experience engaging with customers, regulators and employee representative (union) groups.
- A collaborative leadership style and ability to make difficult decisions confidently.
- Personal Attributes
- Calm under pressure
- Strong technical leadership
- Collaborative approach
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Commercial awareness
- Eligibility
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and meet any clearance requirements relevant to the role.
Why Join Us?
This is an outstanding opportunity to lead Flight Operations for one of the world's most recognised helicopter operators.
You will join a business where safety, operational excellence and customer service sit at the heart of everything we do, while working alongside an experienced executive leadership team with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our UK operation.
If you are an experienced aviation executive looking for your next leadership challenge, we would welcome your application.
- Closing Date 14th August 2026
- Recruitment Process
We may commence interviews or close applications prior to the advertised closing date if suitable candidates are identified.
We therefore encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If you do not hear from us following the closing date, please consider that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We thank you for your interest and wish you every success in your future career endeavours.
Recruitment Agencies
We manage this vacancy directly and do not engage recruitment agencies for this role.
We kindly request that agencies do not contact us in relation to this position or submit unsolicited candidate CVs.
Any CVs submitted without prior written agreement will be treated as direct applications, and no agency fees will be payable.
Thank you for your understanding.
- Desired Skills and Experience
- Flight Operations
- Aviation Management
- Commercial Aviation
- Helicopter Operations
- Aviation Safety
- Regulatory Compliance
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Operational Leadership
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Crew Resource Management
- Aviation Regulations
- Stakeholder Management
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Planning
- Risk Management
- Change Management
- Team Leadership
- Industrial Relations
- Customer Relationship Management
- Continuous Improvement
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Manager Flight Operations - UK employer: CHC Helicopter
CHC Helicopter is an exceptional employer that prioritises safety and excellence in aviation. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for international travel, fostering both personal and professional growth. Our collaborative work culture encourages innovation and teamwork, making it a rewarding environment for those passionate about maintaining the highest flight standards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager Flight Operations - UK
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
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✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
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We think you need these skills to ace Manager Flight Operations - UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at CHC Helicopter, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At CHC Helicopter, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at CHC Helicopter
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with CHC Helicopter.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with CHC Helicopter. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like CHC Helicopter love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
