NATS is the UK's leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. Salary: Negotiable Closing Date: Sunday 5th April PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The UKADS Programme Manager is responsible for the establishment and execution of the national programme to deliver the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), a new "single guiding mind" responsible for modernising UK airspace design as mandated by the CAA and DfT. The Programme Manager will be responsible for transitioning from the traditional model of individual airport-sponsored Airspace Change Proposals (ACPs) to a single, holistic "guiding mind" approach. This role leads a complex cross-industry transformation ensuring the programme delivers the system-wide benefits of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS): reduced carbon emissions, noise mitigation, increased capacity, and the integration of new users (drones/eVTOL). The role will establish and maintain programme governance, delivery frameworks, resource models, stakeholder interfaces, commercial arrangements and systems required to stand up the UKADS capability, ensuring the service meets the timescales set out by the DfT/CAA. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES - UKADS-SPECIFIC: 1. Programme Mobilisation & Governance Lead the setup of the UKADS programme including governance, operating model, delivery processes, reporting structures and interfaces. Establish programme controls that comply with CAA regulatory requirements, CAP 1616 / Masterplan obligations (e.g., CAP 2156a), and the UKADS licence obligations. Coordinate with CAA, DfT, Airports and NATS (NERL) governance bodies overseeing UKADS delivery. 2. Delivery of UK Airspace Modernisation Manage a coordinated portfolio of interdependent airspace design projects forming the UKADS remit, initially focused on London airspace redesign, including Heathrow third-runway-related airspace changes. Oversee the development of integrated designs enabling quicker, more direct, lower-emissions flight paths in line with the Airspace Modernisation Strategy and net-zero objectives. Ensure alignment with both civil and military airspace requirements. 3. Cross-Industry & Regulatory Stakeholder Management Engage closely with: CAA Airspace Regulation teams (co-sponsor of UKADS) DfT policy and regulatory groups NATS (NERL) technical, operational and design teams Airport sponsors, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton Military stakeholders (MoD) Airspace users, including airlines subject to the new Airspace Design Charge Local communities and impacted stakeholders through CAP1616 requirements Act as a focal point for dependency management across all ACPs in scope. 4. Commercial & Contractual Leadership Lead commercial arrangements for design, modelling and technical suppliers required to operate UKADS. Manage cost controls aligned with the new Airspace Design Charge funding model and the Airspace Design Support Fund. Oversee procurement of specialist modelling, simulation and environmental assessment services essential for airspace design. 5. Programme Planning, Resource Strategy & Financial Control Develop and maintain fully resourced programme plans, integrating multiple airspace change projects, design cycles, and regulatory gateways. Lead resource planning across NERL and external supply chains to ensure UKADS has sufficient design capacity to meet government timelines. Manage an annual programme budget of up to £12m. 6. Benefits Realisation & Strategic Outcomes Define, track and report on the benefits of UKADS including the reduction of delay, increased airspace capacity, emissions reduction per flight, and improved resilience and national infrastructure performance. Ensure all outputs integrate into operations and deliver measurable benefit to the UK aviation system and end users. 7. Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance Ensure all programme delivery meets CAA safety oversight, SMS obligations, environmental assessment standards and applicable regulations including CAP1616. Maintain compliance with airspace design rules, modelling requirements, consultation processes and legal frameworks. 8. Leadership of People & Profession Lead and mentor Project Managers and technical teams within UKADS. Build professional capability in airspace design delivery within the UKADS function. Promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and system-wide thinking. QUALIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: Essential: MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), APM PMQ or equivalent programme management qualification. Strong track record delivering large-scale, complex, regulated programmes. Experience with aviation, air navigation, airspace, or safety-critical technical programmes. Ability to work with regulators, government bodies and operational stakeholders. Strong commercial and contract management capability. Ability to influence at senior/executive level across NERL, CAA, DfT and airports. Excellent understanding of complex system integration and multi-stakeholder governance. Experience in data-driven benefit realisation. Desirable (UKADS specific): Knowledge of CAP1616, the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, and airspace design principles. Experience working with NATS, CAA, DfT or Ministry of Defence. Understanding of environmental assessment for airspace change (noise, emissions). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS? - NATS ' We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. We also welcome discussions on flexible and part-time working arrangements. If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe - we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry. Department: Airspace Sub-Portfolio Location: Whiteley, Hampshire, GB, PO15 7FL Country/Region: GB Postal Code: PO15 7FL Job Code: 1339 Salary Range: Negotiable Date: 20 Mar 2026