Applications are invited for a full-time fixed term (3 years), Deputy Head of Infrastructure and Logistics
General Description of the Role
The Deputy Head of Infrastructure and Logistics is responsible for leading and coordinating RAF Air Cadets’ infrastructure and logistics functions at the national level.
As the RAFAC Pillar Lead for Infrastructure and Logistics, the postholder acts as the delegated Commodity Manager and Authorising Officer, ensuring that the estate and logistics systems are safe, legally compliant, financially controlled, and aligned to organisational priorities.
The role provides strategic oversight of estate programming, logistics policy and delivery, ensuring RAFAC can operate effectively across its footprint while supporting cadet experience and volunteer delivery.
This role is leadership, governance and assurance focused. It involves:
- Leading the management of the RAFAC estate, including policy, programming and assurance
- Overseeing national logistics systems, processes and associated expenditure
- Acting as delegated Commodity Manager and Authorising Officer for Infrastructure and Logistics
- Managing infrastructure programmes (CIDP) and estate rationalisation activity
- Ensuring estate safety, compliance and safeguarding assurance on behalf of Head of Establishment (HoE)
- Driving sustainability across infrastructure and logistics activity.
Principal Areas of Accountability, Tasks and Duties
Strategic Leadership and Representation
- Act as the senior HQ RAFAC lead for Infrastructure and Logistics policy and delivery
- Represent RAFAC at MOD, RAF and cross-government estates and logistics forums
- Contribute to Hard FM, Soft FM and logistics policy groups
- Provide expert advice to senior leadership on estate and logistics risks, priorities and opportunities
Programme Management and Delivery
- Lead production, maintenance and oversight of the RAFAC Capital & Infrastructure Development Programme (CIDP)
- Set priorities and direct activity across estate programmes, including rationalisation, site closures, and major moves
- Monitor delivery performance through monthly and quarterly governance forums
- Act as focal point for emerging requirements and external estate usage
Financial Management and Commercial Control
- Act as Delegated Commodity Manager, authorising all Infrastructure and Logistics expenditure
- Ensure robust financial control, monitoring and reporting across all activity
- Lead development of Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) submissions and impact statements
- Develop and approve business cases, financial approvals and end-of-year reviews
- Ensure commercial activity is compliant with MOD and Civil Service requirements
Safe, Compliant and Assured Estate
- Ensure, on behalf of the Head of Establishment, that RAFAC provides a safe and compliant environment
- Maintain systems and processes that provide auditable assurance of compliance (e.g. statutory testing, safety regimes)
- Embed safeguarding considerations within infrastructure planning and delivery
- Attend and contribute to Safety & Infrastructure Meetings (SIMs), Quarterly Delivery Meetings and SLA reviews
- Manage risks relating to estate safety, compliance and operational suitability
Logistics Oversight and Development
- Lead RAFAC logistics policy, processes and delivery frameworks
- Ensure logistics systems support effective cadet activity and volunteer delivery
- Oversee inventory management, supply processes and distribution models
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, resilience and user experience
Sustainability
- Lead sustainability activity across infrastructure and logistics
- Identify and deliver initiatives that reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency
- Embed sustainability considerations into policy, programme planning and investment decisions
- Track, measure and report sustainability outcomes and benefits
Policy, Process and Official Communication
- Lead development and maintenance of Infrastructure and Logistics policy and processes
- Act as focal point for official correspondence (e.g. Ministerial queries, FOIs)
- Oversee production of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Customer Service Agreements (CSAs) and User Requirement Documents (URDs)
- Ensure policy and guidance are clear, proportionate and aligned with RAFAC governance.
Skills and Experience
Essential.
- Experience in infrastructure, estates, logistics or programme management
- Strong financial and commercial management experience, including budget oversight
- Experience operating within governance, compliance or assurance frameworks
- Ability to lead complex programmes and manage multiple stakeholders
- Strong communication skills, including engagement with senior stakeholders
Desirable.
- Experience within MOD, Defence or public sector estates/logistics
- Knowledge of estate compliance requirements (e.g. statutory testing, safety regimes)
- Experience as a budget holder or Authorising Officer
- Understanding of sustainability in infrastructure or logistics contexts
- Experience working with volunteer-led organisations
Additional Requirements
This role may require occasional travel throughout the UK.
The job holder is required to comply with the RFCAs’ Code of Conduct and to avoid any conduct which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees or contractors on the grounds of any protected characteristics, as identified by the Equality Act 2010.
As part of our commitment to integrity and safeguarding all applicants for Crown Servant posts are required to declare whether, within the past five years, they have been dismissed from any employment for gross misconduct involving bullying, harassment, discrimination, or victimisation, or have left a role following a formal disciplinary process where a finding of gross misconduct related to these behaviours was made, even if dismissal did not occur.
This declaration requirement applies regardless of whether the previous employment was within the Civil Service, Armed Forces, private sector, or another public body.
A disclosure will automatically disqualify a candidate so the application must be rejected. All personal data will be treated confidentially.
Pay: £46,040.00 per year
Work Location: In person
