Date: 24 Jul 2026
Location: Manchester Airport, GB
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Company: MAG
About the job
Summary
Airfield Product Technology Director
Permanent
Hybrid (Manchester / UK Airports)
Why MAG?
At MAG, we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK-owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers each year across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate.
Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We’re committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities through decarbonisation, education, skills development and volunteering initiatives.
At MAG, we recognise that creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues.
You’ll also have access to some great benefits including:
Bonus scheme
10% company contribution pension
Car allowance
Private medical scheme
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Free onsite parking
Subsidised public transport
Huge range of company discounts
2 volunteering days per year
Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Care Concierge service
The Role
We’re looking for an Airfield Product Tech Director to join our Technology Leadership Team, reporting to the Group Products & Services Director.
This is a strategically significant leadership role that sits at the intersection of aviation operations, safety-critical systems and technology transformation. You’ll define and deliver MAG’s long-term vision for airfield and air traffic technology, helping to create safer, more efficient, resilient and sustainable operations across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports.
Acting as MAG’s recognised subject matter expert for airfield and air traffic technology, you will partner closely with Airport Directors, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), operational stakeholders and technology partners to build shared understanding, align priorities and deliver measurable value for our airports, customers and colleagues.
You’ll lead the development of an ambitious and forward-looking technology strategy, bringing stakeholders together to create a shared vision for the future of airfield operations across MAG. From airfield management and surface surveillance through to collaborative decision-making and emerging technologies, you will help ensure MAG remains at the forefront of aviation innovation.
This role combines strategic leadership, technical expertise and commercial accountability, with responsibility for a specialist team and a significant portfolio of technology products and investments. You’ll play a key role in shaping how our airports operate today while creating the foundations for future advancements in digital, data-driven and increasingly automated airport operations.
Key responsibilities include:
Defining and delivering MAG’s airfield and air traffic technology strategy across all three airports
Acting as the Group-wide authority on airfield technology, providing strategic guidance to senior stakeholders and operational leaders
Developing and maintaining a long-term product roadmap aligned to operational, safety, customer and commercial priorities
Building trusted partnerships with Airport Directors, operational teams and ANSP leadership to develop solutions that address shared priorities and operational challenges
Driving technology-enabled improvements in safety, resilience, capacity, punctuality, sustainability and cost efficiency
Providing thought leadership on emerging technologies including digital towers, AI-assisted traffic management and autonomous ground operations
Ensuring products and investments align with regulatory requirements, safety obligations and aviation industry best practice
Collaborating closely with Technology and Strategic Change teams to guide products from concept through to successful operational deployment
Providing design assurance throughout delivery lifecycles to ensure intended business outcomes are achieved
Managing significant capital and operational budgets, investment priorities and supplier relationships
Maximising value from strategic technology partnerships while reducing dependency on legacy systems and single suppliers
Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing team, creating an inclusive environment that encourages growth, innovation and accountability
Using insight, data and stakeholder feedback to continuously improve products, services and operational outcomes
Championing product-led ways of working and fostering a culture of curiosity, learning and continuous improvement
Representing MAG with credibility across industry, regulatory and supplier communities, building strong external relationships and partnerships
What will make you successful in the role?
We’re looking for an experienced technology leader who combines deep expertise in airfield and air traffic management with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
You’ll bring the ability to shape strategic direction whilst building strong partnerships across operational, technology and regulatory communities. You'll be comfortable working in complex environments, balancing long-term ambition with practical delivery and bringing people together around shared outcomes.
Success in this role will come from your ability to influence at senior levels, develop trusted relationships with airport leaders, regulators and suppliers, and create an environment where people feel empowered to contribute, innovate and perform at their best.
You’ll be equally comfortable providing technical expertise, challenging constructively when required and supporting teams through complex change, ensuring technology investments deliver meaningful and sustainable operational improvements.
Experience and knowledge required
We’re seeking a leader who combines strategic thinking, operational aviation expertise and strong people leadership. You’ll have a track record of delivering complex technology transformation whilst fostering collaboration, developing capability and creating alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
Essential experience and knowledge:
Significant experience leading technology strategy and product delivery within airfield, air traffic management or safety-critical aviation environments
Deep knowledge of airfield operations, controller working environments, surface management, surveillance systems and associated technology ecosystems
Strong understanding of ICAO standards, UK CAA requirements and safety-critical regulatory frameworks
Proven ability to develop and execute long-term technology strategies that deliver measurable operational and commercial benefits
Experience building strong partnerships with senior operational leaders, regulators and external stakeholders
Demonstrated success leading specialist technical teams, including coaching, capability development and succession planning
Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing substantial technology budgets and supplier relationships
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively from board level through to technical delivery teams
Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, using insight and evidence to shape decisions and investment priorities
Desirable experience:
Experience operating across multi-site airport environments
Knowledge of digital tower technology, AI-assisted traffic management and autonomous ground operations
Experience working with EUROCONTROL programmes, standards and collaborative decision-making frameworks
Understanding of balancing Group-wide technology standardisation with local operational requirements
Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments
We’re building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We’re on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. With so many exciting roles across our airports and businesses, there’s space for your unique strengths to shine.
Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you – even if you don’t think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We’re committed to helping you perform at your best.
At MAG, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that: Women’s Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.
