General Secretary - Aviation Employment Relations
Type: Permanent
Location: Near Haywards Heath (Hybrid working available)
Part time: 3 days per week
Role Overview:
We are seeking a General Secretary with strong diplomacy, negotiation, and leadership skills to oversee member support, representation, and organisational operations within an aviation employment context. The role combines advocacy, strategic responsibility, and day-to-day leadership, ensuring members are effectively supported while the organisation operates in line with UK employment law and regulatory requirements.
This position requires a proactive and responsive individual who can manage complex matters, represent members at a senior level, and contribute to the effective governance and growth of the organisation.
This role will particularly appeal to ex-pilots or candidates with experience in employment relations and/or a legal background who are not currently practising, and who are interested in applying their knowledge in a representative and advisory capacity within the aviation sector.
Key Responsibilities:
Represent and support members in disciplinary, grievance, misconduct, and capability proceedings.
Represent and support members at Employment Tribunals.
Lead negotiations on behalf of members regarding pay, terms, and conditions of employment.
Promote the organisation within the aviation industry and support membership growth.
Support the Executive Committee in fulfilling its legal and organisational responsibilities.
Act as a key point of contact for urgent and complex member issues, including out-of-hours matters where required.Candidate Profile:
Strong diplomacy, negotiation, and communication skills (verbal and written).
Knowledge of UK employment law and the aviation sector is desirable.
Understanding of aviation operations and/or pilot experience is advantageous.
Experience in employment relations, industrial relations, HR, or a legal background (non-practising welcome).
Ability to handle complex cases and represent individuals at a senior level.
Strong organisational and leadership skills with attention to detail.
Confidence working independently and making sound judgements under pressure.
Proficient in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Willingness to travel as required, including overnight stays.
Flexibility to work outside normal hours when necessary.
Full UK driving licence required