Airspace Change Expert

NATS is modernising UK airspace in line with the UK government’s priorities to improve efficiency, increase capacity and reduce the environmental impact for the skies of the future. The Airspace Change Proposal Expert is a key role within NATS Airspace Development team, accountable for managing the production of Airspace Change Proposals (ACPs), leading on development of products and best practice, whilst ensuring all work follows CAA policy and regulatory requirements such as CAP 1616. This requires you to lead, coordinate, and influence a range of internal and external contributors and stakeholders. The role will support and deliver a robust airspace design process, working across a portfolio of projects for NATS projects and for external customers.

Other duties include:

• Manage timely and cost-effective delivery of large scale and/or strategically important ACPs (strategically important defined as an ACP which is a critical dependency for a project with value of c£5m+ and/or a critical dependency for One Operation). This will include managing relationships and conflicting views from many stakeholders both internal and external to NATS, including aviation representatives and local communities.
• Manage the work of junior team members and other departments – ensuring that deliverables are of sufficient quality for release into the public domain via the CAP1616 process.
• Produce and submit NATS consultation responses to external ACPs, liaising with operational specialists, senior management, corporate communications, commercial and customer affairs. Negotiate with said parties to ensure that the NATS response is coherent and in line with both operational and strategic objectives.
• Act as an ‘Airspace Architect’ providing leadership and guidance, across NATS and to external customers to ensure that:

• A wide range of options have been considered from the outset of each airspace change project.
• Design activities undertaken by different departments and/or organisations are coordinated. This is to be achieved by promoting the ‘design life cycle’ and ensuring that all parties know how their contribution at each stage shapes the quality of the final design.
• All options have been assessed in a robust manner, taking into account all the contributing disciplines/stakeholders.
• Recommended options are demonstrably optimal, backed by a narrative that will satisfy the CAA requirements and be robust to legal challenge through judicial review.

Essential skills and experience:

• Degree level qualification in a Business, Numerate or Technical subject area, or significant related work experience, demonstrating analytical, logical reasoning and problem-solving ability.
• Expert in the design life cycle, including innovation, optioneering and change management; training will be provided to suitably qualified and experienced individuals.
• This post requires a logical and analytical approach, combined with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Good negotiation skills to promote and drive relevant activities within and outside the business with personnel at all levels – including members of the public.
• Excellent communication skills and personal impact. The applicant must be able to read the audience, have the confidence to be authoritative on their subject matter and challenge when required.
• A good working knowledge of UK ATS and the regulatory framework it operates within.
• Computer literacy and experience of the Microsoft Office environment. Ability to manipulate data in Excel is required. Knowledge of mapping tools/principles is also desirable.
• Managerial qualities – ability to lead, organise and motivate people, and manage the delivery of complex work packages.

Personal Qualities:

• Able to work as part of a team where close co-operation and interaction is essential.
• Work autonomously to meet strict deadlines and, when necessary, to react with flexibility to changes in business direction.
• You will represent NATS in negotiation and consultation meetings with UK Government, SARG, MOD, other ATS providers, airports, airspace users and local communities. An approachable and capable attitude is essential in maintaining good working relationships with these groups and ensure that they represent NATS’ interests in these forums and encourage collaboration amongst the parties.

Additional Vacancy Information:

We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS? - NATS If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.