Climate Adaptation Lead

Salary Range: £65,500 - £69,524

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Location: London/Gatwick/Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer 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. For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

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.

The Role

The changing climate creates risks to aviation, including from increasingly severe and extreme weather events which may lead to impacts including increased turbulence and flooding.

This role’s primary focus will be leading the CAA’s climate adaptation work, driving the CAA’s role in managing the commercial and existential risks to the UK aviation industry that are caused by the changing climate.

Key Accountabilities

Working with the Sustainability Strategy and Engagement lead and the Cross-CAA Sustainability Delivery lead, your key accountabilities will include:

Direction and oversight of the CAA’s climate adaptation programme of work, including:

• Leading the development, publication and implementation of a CAA approach to climate adaptation and resilience as part of our Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which is aligned to and supports the Department for Transport’s (DfT) forthcoming ‘Transport Adaptation Strategy’ due to be published autumn 2025.
• Ensuring the CAA leads and supports the delivery of relevant targeted interventions expected to be set out in the DfT’s Transport Adaptation Strategy, including leading development and decision making around options to deliver these targeted interventions.
• Collating and analysing the climate risk management approaches of airports, aerodromes, air navigation service providers and other critical aviation infrastructure, both existing and future, such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) infrastructure, to inform future policy and support. 
• Building capability across the CAA to deliver the CAA’s approach to climate adaptation, including around potential reporting and data-sharing functions and other roles the CAA may have in future.
• Proactively engaging internally and with DfT to identify and secure sufficient funding for the ongoing CAA climate adaptation programme, as needs develop.

Building and maintaining effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including:

• Working closely with relevant government departments (including DfT and Defra), the Met Office, international organisations and the aviation sector on key actions and potential future roles for the CAA around adaptation of the industry to climate risks.
• Co-chairing the UK Aviation Climate Adaptation Working group and ensuring the CAA’s involvement in development of future cross-industry engagement.
• Effectively raising awareness and understanding of climate change risks and opportunities with relevant parts of industry.
• Working collaboratively with other CAA teams who deliver the climate adaptation work programme, including with the Strategic Resilience Lead, to coordinate cross-CAA delivery of the programme.
• Leading development of CAA climate adaptation and resilience policy, including working with other teams across the organisation to support development of other CAA policies that may be relevant to the CAA’s approach to climate adaptation and resilience.

About You

You will have experience of developing and managing programmes of work, with a proven track record of delivery. You will be able to demonstrate how you have ensured a strategic approach to programme development and delivery, being able to proactively look ahead to anticipate, resource and deliver potential new functions, especially where there is significant complexity in planning and decision-making across multiple organisations.

It is essential that you are confident to communicate at all levels and are able to engage effectively both across a range of different teams within the CAA and with a variety of external stakeholders.

Essential Criteria

• Proven programme management experience, including ability to work strategically, particularly in relation to programme delivery when there is significant uncertainty.
• Confident to communicate consistently, professionally and influence with authority to a senior level both internally and across a broad spectrum of external stakeholders
• Can demonstrate capability of delivering tasks and projects to agreed budgets of time, cost and quality.
• Able to work proactively, with a transparent and collaborative approach to ensure successful delivery of risk management
• Confidently able to critically analyse data, reports and information.
• Able to consider and present opportunities that support future developments.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of the aviation industry, environmental sustainability, and other regulators.
• Knowledge or experience of policy development and/or change implementation.

Please note that travel will likely to be required to CAA London and Gatwick office, along with other external locations as required.

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. The location is estimated to be within a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers. We are working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. 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

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.

Closing Date: 13th October 2025

Interview Date: From the 16th October 2025 via MS Teams

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.