Civil Aviation Authority
Inspecting Officer Lead - Standards
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Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum dependent upon experience
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Security Level: CTC
Location: Gatwick – Hybrid – expectation to be discussed at interview
Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship
Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
Interview Date: W/C Monday 28th September or Monday 5th October 2026
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
To manage and lead a team to optimise productivity, quality and oversight plan delivery. In addition, they will be required to lead their area of assigned specialisation in accordance with Flight Operations (FO) organogram and detailed in their Personal Development Conversation.
They will be required to ensure FO colleagues who carry out oversight are operating in a safe and competent manner in compliance with relevant legislation and requirements, that a consistent performance-based oversight approach is applied, which contributes to maintaining aviation safety. This will be achieved through the management, motivation, development, and leadership of the team.
Core Accountabilities
- To deliver the Flight Operations management team key objectives and messages, while ensuring the necessary standards and behaviours are developed and applied within the team.
- To act as a focal point for advice and guidance, working closely with the appropriate Flight Operations Leads and Managers.
- To provide mentoring and coaching to their Flight Operations colleagues in achieving the aims of the Flight Operations Capability Team.
- Delivery, Development and Governance of the oversight or standardisation plan for their sector, as applicable.
- Support the team to prioritise non-compliances or internal deficiencies to establish a timetable of action and check that actions are completed by the operators or individuals. To ensure that appropriate non compliances have been rectified and steps taken to prevent recurrences and any deficiencies or shortcomings are addressed.
- Deliver inspecting staff training courses and develop courseware.
- Develop ongoing training to address regulatory changes and those within the oversight methodology.
- Contribute to Flight Operations SRP and completion of Risk Picture, where applicable.
- Process requests from operators for exemptions and permissions from legislative requirements.
- Ensure Quality Control of Operator Approval documents.
Enforcement Action
- To consider all enforcement options available in the toolkit and to highlight issues or concerns that might lead to any level of enforcement activity, either on a regulatory or criminal basis through line management, as appropriate.
- Support as appropriate, the decision-making process on whether to commission an investigation when a breach of aviation law is suspected or resulting from a recommendation from the IET.
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Performance Based Regulation
- Understand and apply the principles of Performance Based Oversight in accordance with the SARG process, consistent with the wider CAA approach to Performance Based Regulation.
- Ensure the team deliver outcome-focused oversight which takes into account the statutory compliance obligations, risk and performance with a safety outcome focus. Escalate risks to the appropriate level within SARG.
Management Information
- Utilise and share management information to assist the team and wider FO Capability team more broadly in making informed and documented decisions.
- Ensure that their team risk overviews are documented and shared.
Team Management
- Ensure the team is trained and competent to perform required duties as directed by the relevant FOM.
- Engage the team through simple, fast and effective communications and routines.
- Facilitate self-management within the team, providing direction and guidance but allowing the team to manage the workload and share the responsibility for delivery.
- Ensure the team has clear, measurable objectives and underperformance is tackled with good performance being rewarded so that performance is actively managed
- Manage the team in accordance with company guidelines and timeframes e.g. for absence management, performance (PDC) etc.
About You
Essential
- Team Management experience.
- Good knowledge of regulatory rules framework.
- Ability to evaluate and analyse Management Information and remain flexible in approach.
- Deep and sound skills and experience in the regulatory environment, including compliance monitoring and safety management systems.
- Good communication skills, both verbal and in writing.
- The ability to engage and influence when dealing with stakeholders internally and in industry at all levels of seniority.
- Strong understanding of Performance Based Regulation, audit and assessment techniques.
- Able to work effectively under pressure and without direct supervision.
Desirable
- Familiarity with IT packages used in CAA is desirable such as Q-Pulse and BYD.
- Competencies and experience in team training and development
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.
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CTC
- To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 3 years.
If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.
For more information on CTC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK
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 committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process
We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.
Working With Us
Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.
Our Values
Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here
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.
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