Job Description Role: Strategic operational Manager Location: Gloucestershire Airport Primary Objective of the Role To support the Accountable Manager in delivering strategic, operational, and financial goals, Gloucester and support the CTKI and FSTD Manager roles. This high-impact role acts as a strategic coordinator, analytical advisor, and operational enabler. It ensures the smooth execution of key initiatives, regulatory compliance, and commercial performance as the Academy scales. The postholder will be a proactive, analytical individual able to anticipate needs, manage complexity, and contribute meaningfully to strategic initiatives within a dynamic aviation training environment. A strong ability to build trust across stakeholders, both internal and external, is essential. Key Competencies & Behaviours 1. Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen Definition: Understands broader business goals, identifies growth opportunities, and supports strategic decision-making. Behaviours: • Anticipates business needs and proactively gathers insights (e.g., new courses, training contracts, fleet strategy). • Synthesises financial data (e.g., course-level breakeven, margin modelling) into executive-ready outputs. • Tracks KPIs for scaling and profitability; identifies cost drivers and margin risks. • Benchmarks course pricing and supports commercial strategy and decision-making. • Contributes data to board briefings, management reviews, and business plans. Aviation Industry Awareness & Regulatory Insight Definition: Understands helicopter flight training operations and associated UK CAA regulatory frameworks. Behaviours: • Prepares documentation and audit materials for CAA inspections and internal reviews. • Interprets and briefs changes to UK aviation regulations (e.g., Part-FCL, ORA, ORS4/5/9). • Supports maintenance of CAA-approved manuals (e.g., TM, OM, SMS, CMM). • Liaises with regulators and external ATOs to maintain operational compliance. Project Coordination & Execution Definition: Manages Academy strategic and operational projects from planning to completion. Behaviours: • Creates and monitors project plans. • Develops and tracks Gantt charts and dashboards for strategic initiatives. • Tracks and oversees project milestones and risks—e.g., training throughput vs revenue goals. • Coordinates project delivery across training, operations, finance, and marketing. Stakeholder Management, Communication & Relationship Building Definition: Builds trusted relationships and represents the Academy professionally across internal and external interfaces. Behaviours: • Demonstrates a personable, professional and customer-oriented approach. • Prioritises long-term stakeholder and client relationships. • Acts as liaison for key partners, regulators, prospective clients and cadet sponsors. • Prepares communications, stakeholder briefings, and board papers. • Manages sensitive communications tactfully (e.g. pricing, complaints, regulatory discussions). Operational Agility & Problem Solving Definition: Responds flexibly to changing needs and applies sound judgement under pressure. Behaviours: • Handles critical tasks or escalations discreetly and efficiently. • Supports continuity of operations while progressing strategic priorities. • Diagnoses operational or compliance gaps and recommends improvements. Information & Workflow Management Definition: Structures and manages the flow of communications and data to and from the AM. Behaviours: • Screens and prioritises meeting requests and correspondence based on relevance and urgency. • Maintains briefing packs and high-level reporting for strategic meetings. • Organises shared digital workspaces and maintains compliance-ready records. High-Level Discretion & Professional Integrity Definition: Handles sensitive matters with complete confidentiality and loyalty. Behaviours: • Acts as a trusted advisor to the AM, raising concerns respectfully and offering solutions. • Maintains confidentiality on finance, HR, and regulatory matters. • Upholds the Academy’s brand, values, and professionalism in all dealings. Change Readiness & Growth Mindset Definition: Embraces change and seeks to improve operations through innovation and feedback. Behaviours: • Identifies inefficiencies and suggests improvements across departments or processes. • Promotes a culture of agility, learning, and cross-functional support. • Takes ownership of internal transformation projects (e.g. onboarding digitisation, simulator expansion programme). Time Management & Prioritisation Definition: Plans and executes tasks efficiently in a fast-paced training environment. Behaviours: • Maintains a forward-looking executive calendar aligned to key Academy cycles. • Plans ahead for strategic priorities, while handling urgent tasks effectively. • Resolves scheduling and deadline conflicts with foresight and professionalism. Desired Qualifications & Experience • Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior executive support, operations, or strategy coordination role. • Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly in regulated or complex industries. • Strong business acumen, ideally with relevant postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc/MBA in Business, Management, or related field). • Excellent organisational, written, and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing materials for executive-level meetings. • High proficiency with collaborative digital project management tools and financial modelling platforms (e.g., the complete MS Suite, Smartsheet, Trello, SharePoint, Asana, Notion). • Demonstrated interest in aviation, education, or training sectors and a willingness to develop deeper regulatory and operational understanding