Head of Special Aviation Mission Group Europe in London

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas, including ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refuelling, special mission aviation, firefighting, and advanced simulation. Metrea builds vertically integrated “full stacks” of capability—designing, producing, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity and benefit from continuous innovation.

Special Aviation Missions (Europe) Group (SAM) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Aerial Firefighting (AFF) and Special Mobility capabilities. SAM (Europe) oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialized aviation operations in and from Europe. It manages regulatory compliance and strategic partnerships to enhance mission effectiveness whilst supporting SAM US with fleet maintenance.

The Head of Special Air Missions (Europe) is a newly created senior leadership role responsible for shaping and leading Metrea’s European SAM organization. This leader will define the structure, capabilities, and culture of the organization while ensuring operational excellence across high-value aerospace programs throughout Europe.

This is a builder-and-operator role: someone who can design scalable systems, frameworks, and teams while being deeply engaged in delivering results day-to-day. The Head of SAM (Europe) will scale teams across multiple countries, influence the wider business, and operate effectively in ambiguity, all while cultivating a culture aligned with Metrea’s values.

This role leads through collaboration rather than hierarchy, building trust and influence across geographies and functions. It requires identifying and developing top talent while driving alignment across the enterprise.

• Design and implement the European SAM organization, creating a scalable and efficient structure that supports long-term growth.
• Build frameworks, financial models, and digital systems to streamline workflows and meet government contracting requirements.
• Identify capability, skills, and cultural gaps; lead professional development and targeted hiring to build a high-performing, resilient team.
• Foster a unified One Team culture grounded in humility and aligned with Metrea’s core attributes.
• Lead execution of the Group’s strategy through the annual Enterprise Value Case cycle, delivering strategic milestones and measurable objectives.
• Contribute to enterprise planning, including campaign, capability, and marketing plans relevant to Special Air Missions.
• Oversee performance management across European SAM capability areas, ensuring progress against OKRs and KPIs.
• Manage risk and opportunity across the portfolio, influencing internal programs and supporting acquisition considerations.

• Senior leadership experience in aerospace and defense, with proven experience building and scaling teams across geographies.
• Track record of identifying, developing, and retaining top talent.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and complexity, with the ability to drive results without relying on hierarchy.
• Extensive special mission aircrew experience; ISR background preferred.
• Strong understanding of aviation regulations: EASA/CAA essential, FAA desirable.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders across functions, geographies, and external partners.
• Experience leading teams, managing budgets, and delivering measurable results.
• Strong judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; adaptable and intellectually curious.

Metrea’s single core value, “rooted in humility,” is supported by four key attributes: entrepreneurial, systematic, discerning, and over-deliver. These attributes form our culture.

This is a full-time position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hybrid work is preferred, with the role based out of the London office 3 days a week.

Domestic and international travel up to 35% may be required.