An exciting opportunity to join our Aerodrome Operations team as an Aerodrome Operations Manager (AOM), playing a pivotal role in delivering a safe, efficient, and compliant airport operation.

As an Aerodrome Operations Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operational management of the airfield, ensuring the Aerodrome Operations mission is achieved by making the best use of available infrastructure and resources while balancing the needs of our customers, partners, and stakeholders.

This is a highly visible leadership role, responsible for coordinating operational teams to maintain a safe, secure, and efficient airfield. You will oversee all aspects of aerodrome operations, including safety, operational performance, capacity, and infrastructure, while ensuring full compliance with the Aerodrome Certificate, Aerodrome Manual, and all applicable procedures and regulatory requirements.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities of the Role:

• Provide leadership to the AO team and instil a high-performance culture aligned to organisational values. Define and execute the operational plan, managing costs efficiently and driving continuous improvement within the team. Deliver excellent airline, passenger, and customer service, leading the drive for On-Time Performance (OTP) standards. Complete duties and projects as assigned by the HAO.
• Undertake roles and responsibilities within the AO team in a manner which reflects both the team’s high-performance culture. Deliver the operational plan and identify opportunities for continuous improvement within the team. Deliver excellent airline and passenger service, supporting the drive for OTP standards. Complete duties as assigned by the HAO.
• Ensure the AO team, including the HAO are kept fully briefed about the day-to-day operational status of the aerodrome and the wider issues affecting the business. Update the LCY stakeholders, Executive and Leadership teams of any risks to the aerodrome as appropriate. Motivate the AO team to deliver stated department objectives by measuring and managing performance through annual appraisals and regular meetings.
• Complete, submit, and investigate near-miss, safety, and occurrence reports using the safety reporting system. Provide a first line of response to any incident or accident occurring airside including liaison with internal departments and external stakeholders. Lead on safety improvement procedural, equipment, and infrastructure changes to either prevent or reduce the chance of a reoccurrence following a near-miss, safety, or occurrence report.
• Where trained to do so, render first aid as and when required. Ensure accident reports are completed in a timely fashion.
• Manage and contribute to specific business process improvement projects and to continually improve standards of safety, customer service, environmental performance, and the efficient management of the AO team and the wider business. Develop business plans and business cases for consideration by the LCY Executive and Leadership teams as part of the OPEX/CAPEX budgetary process.
• Ensure duties undertaken by Aerodrome Operations Officers (AOOs), Senior Aerodrome Operations Officers (SAOOs), and Aerodrome Operations Stand Planners (AOSPs) are completed effectively and to a high standard, including but not limited to inspections, sweeping, wildlife control, stand provision, administration of permit systems, updating of the AO database, shift briefing, hand-over documentation, and maintenance and inspection logs for quality assurance purposes.
• Ensure that the AO team is adhering to all relevant health and safety regulations and codes of practice. Support the Health and Safety team, and the Aerodrome Safety team in the completion of investigations. Ensure Aerodrome Operations personnel are conforming to RAs/SSOWs/instructions, such as the wearing of role specific PPE i.e. water safety equipment.
• Assume the role of the airport’s AO lead during an airport incident or emergency. Coordinate with internal airport departments, such as the ARFFS, and external agencies including LAS, LFB, the Metropolitan Police, and the LBN. Ensure that actions are carried out in accordance with the LCY Crisis Response Plan and ensure recovery is achieved as quickly as possible.
• Manages, controls, and coordinates resources during emergency incidents, aircraft recovery operations, adverse weather conditions, and equipment/infrastructure defect(s), unserviceability(s) or total unavailability. Coordinate with internal airport departments and external agencies including ATC, the UK AAIB, the Metropolitan Police, the LBN, GHSPs, and airlines in accordance with the LCY Crisis Response Plan.
• Initiate, coordinate, and manage business continuity and recovery plans in response to incidents, accidents, and other circumstances that disrupt the operation of the airfield in accordance with the LCY Crisis Response Plan and the Aerodrome Operations Business Continuity Plan. Responsible for ensuring the aerodrome status in accordance with the AIP, and that changes are promulgated by way of a NOTAM as applicable.
• Lead on the completion of the inspection programme of the aerodrome in accordance with current procedures and instructions, the Aerodrome Manual, and the EASA Aerodrome AMC/GM. Record information relating to defective equipment or infrastructure (if found), promulgate information to relevant airport departments, external stakeholders, and agencies, and take appropriate action to ensure continued safe operations, where possible.
• Monitor the local environment for any obstacles/UAV’s which may infringe safeguarded surfaces, such as Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), including the movement of vessels through surrounding docklands ensuring a small an impact as is possible to flight operations. Conduct detailed assessments on perceived infringements. Such monitoring is to include ensuring obstacles are correctly lit and/or marked in accordance with EASA CS ADR-DSN, Chapter Q.
• Promote close liaison between AO and internal airport departments and external stakeholders to foster cooperation in all areas, particularly with regards to airside safety, the efficient utilisation of aircraft stands, and the provision of aerodrome and flight information. Ensure that the AO team delivers a customer-focused and professional service.
• Develop solutions with due regard to safety and other operational and environmental constraints. Play an active role within the change management process, including liaison with internal airport departments and external stakeholders, such as ATC. Develop and produce written documentation including risk assessments, procedures, and instructions. Implement and review changes in cooperation with the Aerodrome Training Manager.
• Act as the Snow Cell Coordinator in accordance with the Winter Operations Plan. Assess movement area surface states and make the operational decision to open or close the airfield. Coordinate and control snow clearance activities from the Snow Cell via Snow Team Leaders. Coordinate with internal airport departments and external stakeholders as to current and prospective capacity and any operational impacts or risks.
• Undertake runway surface friction assessments in accordance with current procedures, the LCY Aerodrome Manual, CAP 683 – The Assessment of Runway Surface Friction Characteristics, and EASA AMC1 ADR.OPS.C.010 using CFME. Review, in conjunction with the HAO and maintenance personnel, CFME reports in order to plan forthcoming airfield works.
• Support the delivery of training, including Airside Driver Awareness in conjunction with the Training team. Act as an On the Job Training Instructor (OJTI) or mentor for AO personnel within your area of expertise. Deliver training as part of the AO Training Needs Analysis, AO Training Plan, and the AO Maintenance of Competency Scheme.
• Management and authorisation of all works undertaken airside through the administration of the permit system. Ensuring that safety requirements, operational efficiency, and airfield availability are maintained throughout the airside works in progress programme. Undertake airside works handover and hand back in accordance with procedures.
• Detain aircraft in accordance on behalf of the UK CAA in accordance with Article 257 of the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 2016 (as amended) on safety grounds or, detain aircraft on behalf of LCY in accordance with Section 88 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (as amended). Liaise with LCY legal team on all matters relating to the detention of aircraft by third-parties, such as High Court Enforcement Officers.
• Liaise with LCY HR to ensure compliance with all LCY HR policies in respect of AO personnel. Ensure the accurate recording of team sickness, annual leave, and shift swaps. Promulgate information to LCY HR on a regular basis. Monitor and process team sickness or unplanned absence in accordance with current HR policy, including completion of RTW forms and the Attendance Improvement Programme.
• Ensure that all AO personnel have a correct and accurate time sheet each month, and that all details are inputted in a timely fashion for collation by the payroll department. Maintain an operationally viable team roster whilst taking into consideration team welfare and budget. Liaise with the training team to ensure team members are released for training in accordance with the AO Training Plan.
• Undertake recruitment for the AO team, including liaison with LCY HR and the Recruitment team. Complete all necessary administration relating to recruitment and onboarding.
• Raise purchase orders for goods and services supplied to the AO team and accurately record all expenditure.
• Exercise control over environmentally sensitive issues such as engine ground running, the application of de-icing media, and the management of spillages airside consistent with current LCY practices.