Head of International Relations Management

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Salary: Up to £93,459

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Location: London/Gatwick/Hybrid

Security Level: CTC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator dedicated to protecting people and enabling aerospace in the UK and around the world. We are a respected international contributor recognised as a world leader in our field. We pride ourselves on our ability to learn, respect, collaborate and adapt to achieve safe, secure and sustainable aviation and aerospace for consumers and the public in a constantly changing world.

The Role

You will lead the shaping of CAA's strategic direction, high-level objectives, and priorities for international engagement and guide the effective participation of senior colleagues, including Board members, in securing the related outcomes. You will also work with senior colleagues to establish the related cross-CAA plans and to monitor the effectiveness of the delivery activities. You will manage CAA coordination with Government on international engagement and directly manage CAA's overall relationship with key international stakeholders, notably the International Civil Aviation Organisation. You will lead a small team that provides assurance to the Board and supports key stakeholder relationships. As the role is primarily aimed at coordinating and directing activities across the CAA, it will be UK based with limited international travel required.

Overview of Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership for International Engagement: Develop, maintain and secure Board approval for the CAA's international engagement strategy, high-level objectives and supporting cross-CAA plan. Advise the Chair, Directors and business units across the CAA on strategic priorities for international engagement and support them in planning and executing their individual engagement activity. Identify emerging threats, opportunities and geopolitical factors that may influence the CAA's international position and adjust priorities and plans accordingly.
• Governance, Coordination and Oversight: Provide the Board with a governance framework that ensures coherence, transparency and alignment across all international engagement activities. Plan, coordinate and oversee relevant activity across the CAA to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and effective collaboration across teams. Work with teams across the organisation to ensure the strategy informs operational decisions and that colleagues understand how and where to engage internationally.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor progress against international objectives and plans, and report annually to the Board on performance, impact and areas requiring focus. Track the delivery of international engagement activities across the CAA to ensure consistent execution and effective resource use.
• Capability: Develop and maintain processes, tools, training and guidance that enable business areas to deliver effectively against international priorities. Promote capability building and continuous improvement in how the CAA manages its international engagement.
• Stakeholder and Relationship Management: Manage the CAA's relationship with the Department for Transport (DfT) and other key external stakeholders to ensure coordinated and aligned international engagement. Determine priority activities and engagement events in collaboration with DfT and other partners to support strategic outcomes. Lead or support engagement with selected international stakeholders as needed to advance the CAA's objectives.
• Risk Identification and Mitigation: Identify and assess risks to the international strategy or plans and advise senior leadership on mitigations and contingency approaches. Ensure risk considerations are integrated into decision-making and that governance processes support effective management of international engagement risks.

About You

The role requires a demonstration of collaborative leadership and ability to work effectively across teams and key stakeholders, whilst coordinating a broad remit of work. You will be skilled in building partnerships and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, while applying a robust approach to risk management and governance. Clear and effective communication is essential, along with a commitment to support high-performing leaders.

• Strategic Leadership and Influence: Proven ability to develop strategies and translate them into actionable plans. Strong leadership through influence, with the ability to motivate, empower and guide teams without direct line management authority. Experience working effectively across a range of international contexts where influencing skills are critical. Demonstrated ability to foster inclusive, collaborative, cross-functional working environments.
• Relationship and Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to build, maintain and navigate relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including government and international representative bodies. Skilled at facilitating collaboration, managing expectations, and securing buy-in at all organisational levels.
• Communication Excellence: Able to communicate complex information clearly, concisely and compellingly to varied audiences. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt content, tone and style to context and purpose.
• People Development and Team Performance: Experience building and nurturing high-performing teams. Commitment to continuous improvement and to supporting individuals to reach their full potential.
• Programme, Portfolio and Operational Delivery: Experience managing programmes or portfolios, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and effective resource allocation. Skilled at overseeing multiple workstreams, tracking progress and maintaining structured oversight across initiatives.
• Governance, Risk and Decision Support: Robust understanding of governance frameworks. Experience in identifying, assessing and mitigating risks to support informed decision-making. Ability to proactively guide responses to geopolitical trends and external events.

Desirable Criteria

• Background in aviation, aerospace, space or other regulated industries
• Background in international professional standards organisations
• Background working with government departments

Additional Security Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 3 years.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us. We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance. We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone

Closing Date 15th April 2026

Interview Date 13th and 14th May 2026, in person, London

Job description available on request.

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. No recruitment agencies please.