Airspace Change Account Manager

Salary: £39,702 up to £46,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

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.

The Role

The Airspace Regulation (AR) team sits within the Airspace, Air Traffic Management and Aerodromes (AAA) capability team and is responsible for the management and processing of Airspace Change Proposals (ACP) within expected timeframes.

To handle airspace changes in the UK, the CAA has a procedure called the Airspace Change Process, CAP 1616. This is a 7-step process that includes several project Gateways at which progress is reviewed and the CAA making a decision on the proposal at stage 5.

Account Managers provide a pivotal end to end project management function within the Airspace Change Process with a focus on coordinating the administrative activities associated with each ACP. The account manager functions reduce the burden on specialist Airspace Regulators, enabling them greater capacity to deal with decision making and technical review of ACP documentation.  Such division of responsibility delivers significant efficiencies through focusing technical resource at the correct areas of the Airspace Change Process whilst delivering a dedicated project management support function to ACP sponsors, and aviation consultants, to assist with Gateway planning, portal messaging and meeting CAP1616 process requirements. 

Account Managers are expected to manage ACP throughput, addressing issues as they arise, coordinate between stakeholders, identify ‘bottle necks’ and reduce delays.  Full control of decision making remains with the SME Airspace Regulators.  Furthermore, the Account Manager roles deliver benefit to the CAA through targeted roles and duties that deliver a more efficient ACP process model and help realize overall financial efficiencies.

Core Accountabilities

• Responsible for end-to-end management of assigned Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) applications, including initial triage of Statements of Need, coordination of Gateway Assessments, ACP document management, AIRAC publication timelines and drafting of Gateway outcome reports.
• Provide efficient and effective delivery and customer service to ACP sponsors and aviation consultants. Act as a dedicated CAA/AR Focal Point for enquiries relating to assigned ACP applications.
• To provide management of Airspace Regulation consultations, both internally and externally, relating to but not exclusively associated with the Airspace Change Proposals.
• To coordinate the comprehensive response to enquiries relating to aviation-related environmental issues and complaints in accordance with CAA/SARG processes; to answer the queries raised in timely and empathetic manner, educate members of the public and enhance the reputation of the CAA.  These enquiries may be received via e-mail, online form, or letter.
• Manage the ACP Portal for all assigned ACP applications and Airspace Change Planning tool to ensure they provide accurate and comprehensive overviews of all ACP applications and supporting detail.  
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of Airspace Regulation submissions to the ExCo, CAA Board, and SARG Management meetings including provision of ACP statistics, graphs, and planning detail.
• Support the CAP 725/CAP 1616 Airspace Change Process through the provision of guidance to Change Sponsors, Aviation Consultants and AR staff on the application of the Process, on the principles of consultation, and undertaking the regulatory assessment of sponsor consultation as part of the regulatory decision-making process.
• Manage the end-to-end process of Airspace Change Proposals, including coordinating and facilitating monthly project allocation and Assessment Meetings, management of ACP Stages (especially managing targets and deadlines), engaging Airspace Regulation subject matter expertise (SME) when and where required.
• To support and assist AR Case/Project Officers in respect of the regulatory approval of airspace change proposals in accordance with the CAP724 Airspace Charter. To undertake additional tasks as allocated by Manager Airspace Regulation.
• Seek legal expertise and clarification when and where required.
• Contribute to draft response on behalf of the CEO or Chair to enquiries from MPs or other public representatives/bodies and, where appropriate, respond directly to other airspace enquiries from non-aviation stakeholders, in all cases ensuring that any additional expert input is coordinated effectively to formulate comprehensive responses.
• Contribute (through appropriate SME) to AREE and AR content on CAA website in collaboration with Corporate Communications Department and Office of General Council.
• Maintain the UK Airspace Use Report Form Database.
• Provide support to the Airspace Regulator (Co-ordination) in responding to FOI and EIR requests and act as focal point when Airspace Regulator (Co-ordination) is unavailable.
• Coordinate and provide account management support to ACP meetings and ensure effective stakeholder communication and engagement is maintained. 
• Coordinate the management of SME technical resource support for each ACP as required and directed by Airspace Regulation’s line management.
• Identify and raise issues or areas of conflict which require resolution.
• Manage and coordinate all Gateway documentation review activities with SMEs.
• Coordinate the overall Gateway program, including analysis and management of timeline change requests and SME resource availability.
• Coordinate and action all post Gateway actions, including communicating outcomes to ACP sponsors, notifying follow-up actions, and tracking completion of actions and associated document reviews.
• Assist SME’s with preparing final recommendations and supporting assessment documents to Decision Making Board.
• Continued development and oversight of AC project assessment templates, Including management of the SARG MS.

Safety and Regulations Group generic accountabilities:

• Capture and readily share safety-relevant intelligence, information, and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups.
• Understand and apply ESP principles of Performance Based Oversight in accordance with the ESP linear process.
• Keep up to date with CAA records management policies and procedures and to amend AR practices and procedures to ensure continuing compliance.

About You

Essential: 

The job holder will:

• Be stakeholder focused and have a keen eye for detail and be able to identify the implications for our communications to stakeholders.
• Have a high level of commitment, reliability, and flexibility, and be an excellent team worker with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Be able to rapidly establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive relationships, with effective communication skills both written and oral in engaging with contacts at all levels throughout the CAA and externally.
• Be able to work with minimum supervision and possess strong time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Possess extremely good verbal and written communications skills.
• Possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplined team.
• Have a good level of computer literacy, with experience of MS Office packages specifically Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Desirable: 

The job holder will:

• Possess a knowledge and some experience of successful project management or project coordination.
• Have a good knowledge of the CAA and UK aviation industry supported by an understanding of key legislative factors influencing and determining the CAA’s role as an airspace regulator e.g. the Civil Aviation Act, Air Navigation Order, Rules of the Air Regulations, relevant sections of the Transport Act, the Air Navigation Order 2001, the DfT’s Air Navigation Guidance and the appropriate MAA Regulatory Publications.

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

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

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.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, 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 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 – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Friday 10th October 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 13th or 20th October 2025

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.