Salary: £72,000 to £75,000 Dependant on experience
Contract Type: Full Time Permanent
Security Level: CTC
Location: London / Gatwick / Hybrid
Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship.
We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator, recognised as a world leader in our 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
Shape the future of aviation by leading our work to enable the safe integration of eVTOL in the UK
Step into a high-impact leadership role at the forefront of aviation innovation. This position offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of aerospace by safely enabling the introduction of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the UK aviation system.
You will lead a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of policy professionals and subject matter experts, working together to address one of the sector’s most complex and exciting challenges. At the heart of the role is the responsibility to design and deliver a coordinated, business-wide programme that develops a proportionate and forward-looking regulatory framework for eVTOL.
Collaborating closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, you will identify and overcome emerging challenges, ensuring that regulatory approaches remain adaptable, evidence based, and fit for the future. You will also play a key role in shaping and communicating strategic priorities across eVTOL and wider aviation innovation, helping to build confidence and clarity across industry and government.
This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact, driving meaningful change to policy and regulation that will unlock new technologies, support market entry, and ensures the highest levels of safety as the UK embraces next generation aviation.
If you are motivated by innovation and the chance to influence the future of flight, enjoy leading complex programmes and solving knotty problems, , then this role offers both challenge and purpose in equal measure.
Core Accountabilities
- Manage a small team of eVTOL technical specialists and lead a much wider team of subject matter experts across the Safety and Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) and beyond.
- Manage and deliver the eVTOL regulatory programme across SARG, coordinating and driving work with subject matter experts, and leading engagement with Government (DfT) as the programme sponsor.
- Consider how eVTOL introduction can support or affect other CAA priorities, including Net Zero and airspace modernisation. Set out the direction for the programme and develop projects and work packages to help build understanding of these emerging areas.
- Work across teams in Technical Strategy, as well as industry, to test and trial new technologies and develop regulatory options.
- Lead the team to work closely with colleagues within regulatory business areas to develop and implement eVTOL policy and develop and implement new regulations through researching and reviewing international development of regulations and industry standards.
- Develop roadmaps for how eVTOL could develop and how the CAA needs to develop regulation, policy and capability to support its integration.
- Provide input into the legislative framework within the CAA to progress changes to regulations required to enable eVTOL technologies to enter the market safely and securely.
- Develop resource and prioritisation estimates to ensure the appropriate involvement from around the CAA to work on the eVTOL programme.
- Build strong internal networks with stakeholders across the CAA’s business and external networks with government departmental, regulators and industry standards bodies to provide insight and collaboration.
- Engage internationally, working with other National Aviation Authorities to develop harmonised approaches to common challenges, and advocate for UK interests.
About You:
This role would be ideal for an experienced programme leader and people manager, who can demonstrate success at bringing teams together to meet stretching objectives, You will have experience of leading mixed teams, with a high degree of adaptability and be able to demonstrate sound judgment and agility, along with confidence to communicate across a complex landscape. Understanding of aviation and aerospace, especially innovative aviation technologies is highly desirable.
Essential Criteria
- Confidently able to lead and manage a diverse team in an ambiguous environment where there are currently no standards or regulations and where priorities can change.
- Proven track record of delivering complex projects and programmes.
- Demonstrable experience in communicating programme progress to senior sponsors, taking ownership of successes and navigating areas for improvement.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to take complex subjects and distil them into clear direction, objectives and work programmes.
- Skilled coach and mentor, able to seek out information to inform the project and support the generation of new ideas.
- Critical mindset with the ability to role model challenging industry and colleagues.
- Breadth of experience in regulation, either within an aviation specialism (such as airspace, airworthiness, air traffic management, flight operations, UAS, aviation security, or consumer protection) or another safety critical industry.
- Able to demonstrate strong people leadership, motivating and developing diverse teams to achieve high performance.
- Confidently creates an inclusive and collaborative culture, fostering trust, accountability and effective communication.
- Provides clear direction, coaching and keen to support colleagues to grow while delivering organisation goals.
Desirable Criteria
- Breadth of experience in the innovation and technology trends that will shape the future of aviation, e.g. eVTOL, artificial intelligence, digitisation and automation, RPAS, UTM, UAM, electrification and battery technologies.
Travel:
There may be some travel between CAA offices and to external sites around the UK. Occasional international travel.
Hybrid working for this role:
We expect colleagues to work on average two-days a week at our offices or with stakeholders, though where not possible (based on your location) we can discuss alternatives. Further detail on Hybrid working expectations for this role can be discussed at interview.
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. To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.
If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.
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. 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. For more information on CTC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.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 passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, 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:
We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.
We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance. We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!
Our Values:
Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone –
Closing Date: 29 June 2026
Interview Dates: 6, 7, 8, and 10 July 2026
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.
Job Segment: Aerospace, Law, Aviation, Strategy, Legal
