The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Based at: Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Salary details: Grade 10, £48,227 - £52,414 (pay award pending)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week
Flexible working arrangements: Flexible working requests will be considered.
Closing date: 26th June 2026
DBS CTC clearances are required for appointment to this post
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing to relaunch, and we are seeking an experienced and operationally focused Airfield Operations Manager to play a key role in the airport’s return to operations. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of rebuilding and shaping the future of one of the UK’s most promising regional airports. As part of the Airfield Operations Team, you will be responsible for leading the Operational Delivery function, ensuring the safe, compliant and efficient management of the airfield and the teams that operate it. We are looking for a confident, credible and highly visible operational leader who can provide assurance, consistency and resilience across all Airfield Operations Team Watches. Your expertise will help establish strong operational standards, maintain regulatory compliance and support the safe and successful reopening of the airport.
About the Role
We are seeking an Airfield Operations Manager to lead the Airfield Operations Team Operational Delivery function and provide operational ownership of the airfield on behalf of the Head of Airfield Operations. The role is responsible for the leadership, management and assurance of the Airfield Operations Team Watches, ensuring consistent operational delivery, regulatory compliance and operational resilience across all shifts.
Reporting to the Head of Airfield Operations, the postholder will oversee all day-to-day airfield operational activities including inspections, wildlife hazard management, safeguarding checks, incident response, works oversight and operational reporting. The role will also provide oversight of the airport’s operational wildlife control capability, including the governance and safe use of firearms in support of bird control activities.
As a newly reopening airport, the role will play a significant part in establishing operational standards, embedding competency arrangements, supporting operational readiness and helping to build a high-performing operational culture. The postholder will act as the key operational link between strategic airfield leadership and front-line delivery, ensuring the airfield remains safe, available and audit-ready during routine operations, disruption and emergency situations.
You will work closely with operational teams, regulators, contractors, airlines and other stakeholders to ensure the effective integration of airfield operations into the wider airport environment.
Key Responsibilities Include
-
Leading and managing the Airfield Operations Team Operational Delivery function and providing direct leadership to Airfield Operations Supervisors.
- Ensuring consistent operational standards, behaviours, competence and decision-making across all Airfield Operations Team Watches.
- Maintaining oversight of airfield inspections, wildlife hazard management, FOD control, safeguarding checks, incident response and operational reporting.
- Ensuring compliance with UK aviation regulations, aerodrome certification requirements, local procedures and Safety Management System requirements.
- Managing operational assurance activities including audits, inspections, observations, competency checks and corrective actions.
- Coordinating airfield works, operational changes and infrastructure projects affecting the manoeuvring area and aprons.
- Overseeing operational bird control activities, including the governance, training, competency and legal compliance associated with firearms use.
- Supporting emergency preparedness, contingency planning and operational resilience arrangements.
- Delivering and supporting operational training, induction and competency activities where required.
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with Air Traffic Control, Airport Fire and Rescue Service, airlines, ground handlers, regulators and other stakeholders.
- Supporting aerodrome safeguarding activities and ensuring operational risks are appropriately managed.
- Driving continuous improvement through operational performance monitoring, root cause analysis and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
The Successful Candidate
We are looking for an experienced aviation professional with a strong background in airfield operations and operational leadership within a licensed aerodrome environment.
You will have significant experience managing operational teams and delivering safe, compliant and resilient airfield operations within a safety-critical environment. You will possess a thorough understanding of UK aviation regulations and airfield operational requirements and be confident making decisions within dynamic operational environments where safety, compliance and operational continuity must be carefully balanced.
You will be a visible and credible leader, capable of building high-performing teams, maintaining operational standards and developing positive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills are essential, together with the ability to challenge poor standards, drive accountability and support continuous improvement.
Experience of airport reopening programmes, operational change, competency management, wildlife hazard management, aerodrome safeguarding or regulatory engagement would be highly advantageous. This role will particularly suit an individual who thrives in a hands-on operational environment and is motivated by the opportunity to help shape and develop the future operation of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
For this role, you will need:
-
Formal training in aviation, airfield operations or airport operations management.
- Recognised airfield operations training (e.g. NCAO or equivalent).
- Training in Safety Management Systems (SMS).
- Management or leadership qualification.
- Willingness to undertake future training related to the role and continue your own CPD.
- Significant operational experience within an airport or licensed aerodrome environment.
- Experience managing or supervising operational teams within an aviation environment.
- Experience of managing shift-based or Watch-structured operational teams.
- Experience implementing competency management or training systems.
- Experience in airfield operational delivery activities including inspections, wildlife control and incident response.
- Experience managing operational disruption, emergencies or adverse weather operations.
- Experience of regulatory compliance and operational assurance activities.
- Experience coordinating airfield works and operational change.
- Experience overseeing wildlife hazard management programmes within an operational aerodrome environment.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Regulation 139/2014.
- Knowledge of CAP 642 Airside Safety Management principles.
- Knowledge of airfield inspections, manoeuvring area operations and operational serviceability requirements.
- Understanding of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Just Culture principles.
- Knowledge of wildlife hazard management and FOD prevention principles.
- Understanding of airfield emergency response and contingency operations.
- Knowledge of operational risk assessment and change management processes.
- Understanding of operational assurance, audit and investigation processes.
- Knowledge of operational documentation including Aerodrome Manuals, AOIs and TOIs.
- Understanding of operational assurance, audit and investigation processes.
- Knowledge of operational bird control techniques and wildlife hazard management principles within an aerodrome environment.
- Strong operational leadership and decision-making capability.
- Ability to manage multiple operational priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with operational stakeholders.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to work calmly and effectively under operational pressure.
- High level of personal resilience and professional credibility.
- Ability to challenge poor standards and drive accountability.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and safety culture development.
- Flexibility to work outside normal office hours where operationally required.
- Willingness to undertake operational and resilience duties outside normal management responsibilities where required to support airport operations.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
-
Firearms awareness or willingness to undertake firearms-related operational training appropriate to airport wildlife control activities.
- Health & Safety qualification (e.g. IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety).
- Experience engaging with regulators, airlines, ATC and operational stakeholders.
- Experience supporting airport reopening, operational transition or major change programmes.
- Experience managing or overseeing operational training and competency activities.
- Experience coordinating or supporting aerodrome safeguarding activities.
- Understanding of operational controls, governance and legal requirements relating to the use of firearms for wildlife control activities including lethal control.
- Understanding of aerodrome safeguarding principles including obstacle limitation surfaces and wildlife safeguarding considerations.
- Knowledge of competency management and operational training principles within safety-critical environments.
What We Offer
In return, you will have the opportunity to play a vital role in the successful relaunch of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and be part of a committed team focused on safety, professionalism and continuous improvement. This is a unique opportunity to influence the development of a modern airport from the ground up, helping to establish the systems, culture and standards that will support its long-term success.
We can offer:
-
Leading defined benefit pension scheme with generous employer contributions
- 29 days annual leave (rising to 34 after 5 years) plus 8 bank holidays
- Eligibility for Shared Cost AVCs
- Relocation package up to £8.5K
- Broad range of family friendly workplace policies
- Health Cash Plan
- Cycle to work and home technology salary sacrifice schemes
- Wide range of employee discounts and wellbeing benefits
- Financial wellbeing support including affordable loans
- Free access to Occupational Health, counselling and physiotherapy
- The opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK’s most exciting airport redevelopment projects.
If you are passionate about creating safe, compliant and resilient operations and want to be part of an exciting new chapter for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, we would love to hear from you.
Please ensure you review the full job summary carefully, as you will need to demonstrate clearly within your application how you meet the required criteria
Please ensure you view the job summary as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.
If you require support with completing the application or with interview skills in general, please contact the Advance team via email
[email protected] or visit their website www.advancedoncaster.co.uk for further details.
It is anticipated shortlisting will take place week commencing 29th June 2026 and that interviews will be held week commencing 6th July 2026.
For further details or to arrange informal chat please email:
[email protected] and we will respond to arrange a convenient time.
To apply for the role please complete the attached application form and return to
[email protected]