Job Description: Strategic Operational Manager

Reporting to: General / Accountable Manager

Location: Castle Air Academy, Gloucestershire

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

https://castleairacademy.com/

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Primary Objective of the Role

To support the Accountable Manager in delivering strategic, operational, and financial goals across Castle Air Academy, 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.

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Key Competencies & Behaviours

1. Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen

Definition: Understands broader business goals, identifies growth opportunities, and supports strategic decision-making.

Behaviours:

•\tAnticipates business needs and proactively gathers insights (e.g., new courses, training contracts, fleet strategy).

•\tSynthesises financial data (e.g., course-level breakeven, margin modelling) into executive-ready outputs.

•\tTracks KPIs for scaling and profitability; identifies cost drivers and margin risks.

•\tBenchmarks course pricing and supports commercial strategy and decision-making.

•\tContributes data to board briefings, management reviews, and business plans.

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2. Aviation Industry Awareness & Regulatory Insight

Definition: Understands helicopter flight training operations and associated UK CAA regulatory frameworks.

Behaviours:

•\tPrepares documentation and audit materials for CAA inspections and internal reviews.

•\tInterprets and briefs changes to UK aviation regulations (e.g., Part-FCL, ORA, ORS4/5/9).

•\tSupports maintenance of CAA-approved manuals (e.g., TM, OM, SMS, CMM).

•\tLiaises with regulators and external ATOs to maintain operational compliance.

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3. Project Coordination & Execution

Definition: Manages Academy strategic and operational projects from planning to completion.

Behaviours:

•\tCreates and monitors project plans.

•\tDevelops and tracks Gantt charts and dashboards for strategic initiatives.

•\tTracks and oversees project milestones and risks—e.g., training throughput vs revenue goals.

•\tCoordinates project delivery across training, operations, finance, and marketing.

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4. Stakeholder Management, Communication & Relationship Building

Definition: Builds trusted relationships and represents the Academy professionally across internal and external interfaces.

Behaviours:

•\tDemonstrates a personable, professional and customer-oriented approach.

•\tPrioritises long-term stakeholder and client relationships.

•\tActs as liaison for key partners, regulators, prospective clients and cadet sponsors.

•\tPrepares communications, stakeholder briefings, and board papers.

•\tManages sensitive communications tactfully (e.g. pricing, complaints, regulatory discussions).

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5. Operational Agility & Problem Solving

Definition: Responds flexibly to changing needs and applies sound judgement under pressure.

Behaviours:

•\tHandles critical tasks or escalations discreetly and efficiently.

•\tSupports continuity of operations while progressing strategic priorities.

•\tDiagnoses operational or compliance gaps and recommends improvements.

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6. Information & Workflow Management

Definition: Structures and manages the flow of communications and data to and from the AM.

Behaviours:

•\tScreens and prioritises meeting requests and correspondence based on relevance and urgency.

•\tMaintains briefing packs and high-level reporting for strategic meetings.

•\tOrganises shared digital workspaces and maintains compliance-ready records.

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7. High-Level Discretion & Professional Integrity

Definition: Handles sensitive matters with complete confidentiality and loyalty.

Behaviours:

•\tActs as a trusted advisor to the AM, raising concerns respectfully and offering solutions.

•\tMaintains confidentiality on finance, HR, and regulatory matters.

•\tUpholds the Academy’s brand, values, and professionalism in all dealings.

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8. Change Readiness & Growth Mindset

Definition: Embraces change and seeks to improve operations through innovation and feedback.

Behaviours:

•\tIdentifies inefficiencies and suggests improvements across departments or processes.

•\tPromotes a culture of agility, learning, and cross-functional support.

•\tTakes ownership of internal transformation projects (e.g. onboarding digitisation, simulator expansion programme).

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9. Time Management & Prioritisation

Definition: Plans and executes tasks efficiently in a fast-paced training environment.

Behaviours:

•\tMaintains a forward-looking executive calendar aligned to key Academy cycles.

•\tPlans ahead for strategic priorities, while handling urgent tasks effectively.

•\tResolves scheduling and deadline conflicts with foresight and professionalism.

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Desired Qualifications & Experience

•\tMinimum 5 years’ experience in a senior executive support, operations, or strategy coordination role.

•\tProven ability to learn and adapt quickly in regulated or complex industries.

•\tStrong business acumen, ideally with relevant postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc/MBA in Business, Management, or related field).

•\tExcellent organisational, written, and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing materials for executive-level meetings.

•\tHigh proficiency with collaborative digital project management tools and financial modelling platforms (e.g., the complete MS Suite, Smartsheet, Trello, SharePoint, Asana, Notion).

•\tDemonstrated interest in aviation, education, or training sectors and a willingness to develop deeper regulatory and operational understanding.

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