Airfield Safeguarding and Change Manager (Full Time) in Doncaster

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing to relaunch, and we are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking airfield safeguarding and change management professional to play a key role in the airport’s return to operations. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of rebuilding and shaping the future of one of the UK’s most promising regional airports.

As part of the Airfield Operations Team, you will help establish and maintain the safeguarding, planning and operational change arrangements that protect the airport’s long‑term viability, safety and compliance. We are looking for a confident, credible and collaborative professional who is passionate about aviation operations and ready to make a meaningful impact. Your expertise will help ensure that development, infrastructure change and operational growth are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with regulatory requirements.

About the Role

We are seeking an Airfield Safeguarding & Change Manager to lead the airport’s aerodrome safeguarding, planning consultation and operational airside change activities. Reporting to the Head of Airfield Operations, the postholder will act as the airport’s technical authority for safeguarding and the focal point for managing operational change within the airside environment. The role will ensure that external developments, planning applications, infrastructure projects and operational changes are assessed, coordinated and integrated in a manner that protects the airport’s safe and compliant operation.

This includes safeguarding Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems, and managing risks associated with construction activity, wildlife hazards, dangerous goods infrastructure, lighting, renewables and other developments that may impact aviation operations. You will work closely with Local Planning Authorities, developers, Air Traffic Control (ATC), engineering teams, project managers, safety specialists and regulators to ensure that safeguarding and change management requirements are fully embedded across the airport. The role will also support regulatory assurance activities and play a key part in establishing the systems, processes and governance arrangements that will underpin the airport’s successful reopening and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing, implementing and maintaining the airport’s aerodrome safeguarding framework, procedures, records and assurance arrangements.
• Acting as the airport’s focal point for statutory and non‑statutory planning consultations and providing clear, evidence‑based responses to planning authorities and developers.
• Assessing developments, temporary works and operational changes for potential impacts on protected airspace, instrument flight procedures, CNS systems, wildlife hazard management, dangerous goods infrastructure and other safeguarding considerations.
• Maintaining oversight of permanent and temporary obstacles affecting the aerodrome, including cranes, tall plant and construction activities.
• Coordinating with ATC, engineering teams, technical specialists and procedure design organisations to assess and manage operational and technical safeguarding risks.
• Acting as the operational lead for airside change management, ensuring projects, infrastructure changes and operational changes are risk‑assessed, controlled and integrated safely.
• Developing and coordinating Temporary Operating Instructions and other operational controls required to support works, projects and changes to the operating environment.
• Supporting audits, inspections and regulatory assurance activities through the maintenance of accurate records, evidence and action tracking.
• Building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support operational resilience, compliance and future airport growth.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to safeguarding and change management processes to support continuous improvement and operational excellence.

The Successful Candidate

We are looking for an experienced aviation professional with a strong understanding of aerodrome safeguarding, operational risk management and change management within a regulated environment. We seek a professional who has experience in airfield operations, aerodrome safeguarding, or a closely related aviation discipline and is comfortable interpreting regulatory requirements and translating them into practical operational controls. They should possess the confidence to challenge where necessary, whilst maintaining positive working relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels. They must be highly organised, analytical and capable of managing multiple priorities within a dynamic and evolving operational environment. Strong communication skills are essential, as they will regularly engage with operational teams, technical specialists, regulators, planning authorities, developers and contractors. They also have the ability to assess complex information, make sound evidence‑based decisions and coordinate multiple workstreams to successful outcomes. Experience of managing operational change, airfield projects, works in progress or planning consultations within an aviation environment is highly desirable, together with an understanding of the challenges associated with airport reopening, development and growth.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Formal safeguarding training (CAA / CAST or equivalent) or willingness to work towards.
• Minimum Level 3 qualification in aviation, engineering, planning, change management or related discipline or willingness to work towards.
• Experience in airfield operations or aerodrome safeguarding.
• Experience assessing operational risk and implementing mitigation.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders across aviation or planning environments.
• Experience supporting or managing airside works in progress and coordinating operational change management within a live operational environment.
• Experience developing or implementing operational procedures, temporary operating instructions or change controls.
• Knowledge of CAP 738 Aerodrome Safeguarding.
• Understanding of Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS).
• Understanding of UK aviation regulatory framework (CAP 168 / UK Reg 139).
• Knowledge of CNS systems and safeguarding principles.
• Understanding of Instrument Flight Procedures and associated protection.
• Knowledge of wildlife hazard management principles.
• Understanding of operational change management principles within an aerodrome environment.
• Understanding of airfield works safety, temporary operating environments and operational risk controls.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyse complex technical information and make sound decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to challenge external proposals where required.
• High attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Flexibility to support operational requirements as needed.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Health & Safety qualification (e.g. IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety).
• Experience working with Local Planning Authorities or development processes.
• Experience working within an airport reopening, expansion or major infrastructure change environment.
• Experience of dangerous goods operational environments or associated safeguarding considerations.
• Understanding of planning processes and development control.
• Knowledge of dangerous goods operational requirements and associated infrastructure considerations.

What We Offer

• Leading defined benefit pension scheme with generous employer contributions.
• 29 days annual leave (rising to 34 after 5 years) plus 8 bank holidays.
• Eligibility for Shared Cost AVCs.
• Relocation package up to £8.5K.
• Broad range of family friendly workplace policies.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Cycle to work and home technology salary sacrifice schemes.
• Wide range of employee discounts and wellbeing benefits.
• Financial wellbeing support including affordable loans.
• Free access to Occupational Health, counselling and physiotherapy.

If you are passionate about creating safe, compliant and resilient operations and want to be part of an exciting new chapter for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, we would love to hear from you. Please ensure you review the full job summary carefully, as you will need to demonstrate clearly within your application how you meet the required criteria.