Licensing Officer

Salary Range: £30,209 to £38,000

Contract: Full Time Permanent

Location: London / Hybrid

Visa: This role currently does NOT support visa sponsorship

Security level: BPSS

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 you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

Please include a cover letter with your application. We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

You will support Head of Airline Licensing in managing the licensing and permit regime and in taking enforcement action against carriers that are in breach of the Air Navigation Order. Additionally, you will oversee the grant, renewal and monitoring of licences/permits for new and existing UK and non-UK carriers within the scope of established legislation and delegated authority.

• Take decisions within delegated authority based on analysis, assessment and monitoring carried out on licence holders and applicants.
• Carry out checks on licence holders’ compliance with relevant regulations and licensing terms and identify issues of non-compliance.
• Assist in the administrative requirements of Hearings conducted by the CAA, such as (but not only) those relating to proposals for regulatory action.
• Contribute to activities outside core working hours – for example in relation to the grant of air ambulance operations.
• Aid in managing major projects as guided by their accountable manager and take a lead role in less complex projects.
• Focus on continuous improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the licensing process.
• Prepare and present reports for managers with well thought-through recommendations or solutions and the rationale for these.
• Collaborate, create and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders such as airlines, border force and the Department for transport (DFT), to ensure that the interests or requirements of all parties are understood and appropriately reflected in licensing decisions.
• Liaise closely with colleagues across the CAA and the DFT, in relation to the grant of licences and foreign carrier permits.
• Engage actively in the performance management of reports.
• Set goals for others that are aligned to business plans, review their achievements and encourage high performance.
• Identify opportunities for reports to develop appropriate skills and knowledge.
• Support or deputise for the Senior Licensing Analyst in managing more complex licensing cases, the day‑to‑day functioning of the Airline Licensing operations and the AM’s direct reports.
• Assist the Head of Airline Licensing in identifying and developing KPIs for the delivery of permit issue function.
• Provide high‑level support to the Airline Licensing management in the development, management and improvement of internal and ‘customer’ facing IT platforms that the team rely on for operational delivery.
• Line manage one or two Licensing Officers involved in the grant of permits.

About You

• You will have a skillset to approach complex interactions and be capable of flexibly presenting the CAA’s position to broad stakeholders.
• Confident line manager that can also support the development and growth of others.
• Able to work collaboratively, and developing effective relationships built on trust and cooperation.
• Willingly share skills and information with colleagues to improve performance and delivery of team goals.
• Collaborate and include others in discussions, listens to and considers others’ viewpoints to form decisions.
• Able to confidently plan and prioritise skills and can adapt to changing priorities.
• Able to manage their own workload within a team with a focus on achieving the best outcomes for the CAA.
• Considers and suggests new approaches to tasks and procedures with a view to improving effectiveness and efficiency.
• Takes initiative and can identify matters for escalation.
• Confidently work to challenging and moving timelines, whilst ensuring consistent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to delivering the CAA’s plans by proactively contributing to projects.
• Communicates in a way that is clearly understood, credible and persuasive in style and, approaches sensitive issues in a considerate and straightforward way.
• Able to succinctly explain the key facts on familiar subjects in a convincing manner.
• Good IT skills in the use of common CAA applications such as Outlook, CRM, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and the ability to learn and utilise bespoke systems.

• Knowledge of the airline and aviation travel industry

• Understanding of travel related regulations.

• A basic knowledge of accounts

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House, Our Gatwick/Crawley Office. We are currently working to understand our needs before we start our property search, which is expected to be within a 15-mile radius of our current base, but we do not expect to move before 2028.

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 a reasonable adjustment, 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, 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

Interview Date TBC

Location In person, Canary Wharf London

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.

Seniority level: Entry level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Legal

Industries: Airlines and Aviation