Airfield Operations Watch Manager

Based at: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Salary details: Grade 9 £47,815 - £52,873 (Role subject to 8.5% shift allowance)

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Hours: 42 hours per week

Flexible working arrangements: Flexible working requests will be considered.

Closing date: 25/10/26

DBS and CTC clearances are required for appointment to this post.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing to relaunch, and we are looking for exceptional operational leaders to help shape the future of one of the UK's most exciting regional airports. This is a unique opportunity to join the Airfield Operations Team at the heart of the airport's reopening, where you will play a pivotal role in establishing the operational standards, culture and professionalism that will underpin safe and successful operations for years to come. As an Airfield Operations Watch Manager, you will lead one of the airport's four operational Watches, providing visible leadership, tactical operational management and assurance across the airfield. We are looking for confident, credible and resilient aviation professionals who are passionate about operational excellence, thrive in a dynamic environment and are ready to help build a modern, high-performing Airfield Operations Team from the ground up.

About the Role

We are seeking an Airfield Operations Watch Manager to provide tactical leadership and operational management of one of the airport's Airfield Operations Team Watches. Reporting to the Airfield Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading Airfield Operations Officers and ensuring the safe, compliant and effective delivery of airfield operations throughout your operational shift.

As the senior Airfield Operations representative on duty, you will exercise operational judgement and provide tactical command during routine operations, disruption and emergency situations, maintaining continuous oversight of the manoeuvring area, aprons and associated airside activities. You will ensure that operational standards are consistently achieved through visible leadership, operational assurance and the effective management of people, resources and operational priorities.

This is a varied and highly rewarding role, requiring the ability to lead from the front whilst maintaining a strategic awareness of the wider airport operation. You will play a key role in embedding a positive safety culture, developing the capability of your Watch and ensuring the airport delivers safe, resilient and predictable operations as it grows.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading, managing and developing an Airfield Operations Team Watch, ensuring consistent operational performance, professional standards and regulatory compliance.
• Exercising tactical operational command during routine operations, disruption and emergency situations to maintain a safe, resilient and operationally available aerodrome.
• Managing airfield inspections, operational assurance activities and the serviceability of the movement area, including FOD control, wildlife hazards, works in progress and adverse weather operations.
• Directing operational responses to incidents, airside defects, abnormal situations and emergency events, ensuring appropriate communication, escalation and recovery.
• Leading the operational integration of works, projects and temporary operational changes, ensuring safe implementation and return to normal operations.
• Managing and developing Airfield Operations Officers through coaching, mentoring, competency assessment and continuation training to create a high-performing Watch.
• Providing operational assurance through inspections, observations, audits and local compliance activities, ensuring operational standards are maintained and lessons learned are embedded.
• Acting as the principal Airfield Operations representative on shift, building effective relationships with Air Traffic Control, Airport Fire and Rescue Service, airlines, ground handlers, contractors and other operational stakeholders.
• Leading operational wildlife hazard management activities, including the safe and lawful governance of bird control operations in accordance with airport procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Deputising for the Airfield Operations Manager where required, providing resilience and continuity of operational leadership across the Airfield Operations Team.

The Successful Candidate

We are looking for an experienced aviation professional with a proven ability to lead operational teams within a licensed aerodrome environment. You will be a confident and credible leader who enjoys developing people, making sound operational decisions and maintaining high standards in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment.

You will have significant experience in airfield operations and be comfortable balancing operational priorities whilst maintaining an uncompromising focus on safety, compliance and professionalism. You will possess excellent communication and decision-making skills, with the confidence to challenge poor standards, influence stakeholders and take ownership of complex operational issues.

You will be equally comfortable leading routine operations, managing disruption and responding to emergency situations, using sound judgement and evidence-based decision making to achieve safe operational outcomes. You will also recognise the importance of developing a positive team culture, creating consistency across your Watch and supporting the wider growth and success of the airport.

Experience of leading operational teams, managing airfield operations, coordinating works in progress, undertaking operational assurance activities and working collaboratively with regulators and operational stakeholders will be highly valued. Experience of airport reopening, operational transition or major organisational change would be advantageous, together with an understanding of wildlife hazard management and the operational governance associated with bird control activities.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

For this role, you will need:

• Health & Safety qualification (e.g. IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety).
• Willingness to undertake future training related to the role and continue own CPD.
• Holds, or is willing and able to obtain, all training, authorisations and certifications necessary to undertake operational wildlife control activities involving the lawful use of firearms.
• Significant, leadership-level operational experience within an airport or aerodrome environment.
• Extensive experience leading and managing operational teams within an aviation or safety-critical environment.
• Substantial experience working within a Watch or shift-based operational structure.
• Demonstrable experience conducting airfield inspections and/or operational safety checks.
• Current experience of wildlife hazard management and FOD control activities.
• Current experience coordinating or monitoring works in progress on the movement area.
• Comprehensive experience managing operational disruption, emergencies or adverse weather operations.
• Well-established experience of operational reporting, investigations and action tracking.
• Advanced operational leadership-level experience directing adverse weather response and aircraft turnaround safety assurance activities.
• Demonstrable management-level experience acting in a higher-duty, deputy or temporary management capacity within an operational aviation environment.
• Strong current working knowledge of UK Regulation 139/2014 and CAP168 requirements.
• Strong current working knowledge of CAP 642 Airside Safety Management principles.
• Operational leadership-level knowledge of airfield inspections, movement 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 runway safety and runway incursion prevention principles.
• 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.
• Operational leadership-level understanding of emergency response and contingency operations within an aerodrome environment.
• Knowledge of NOTAM processes and operational information management.
• Knowledge of winter operations procedures, surface condition assessment and adverse weather operational requirements within an aerodrome environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of aircraft turnaround activities, apron safety standards and operational safety audit processes.
• Strong operational leadership and decision-making capability.
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Ability to lead and manage multiple operational priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with operational stakeholders.
• 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.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and positive safety culture development.
• Ability to work outdoors and in all weather conditions.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends and public holidays as operationally required.
• Demonstrates the potential to operate effectively at management level and assume higher responsibilities when required.
• Ability to balance tactical operational command with wider departmental objectives and priorities.
• Recognises that wildlife hazard management forms a safety-critical element of the role and is committed to undertaking both non-lethal and, where operationally necessary, lawful lethal control measures in accordance with airport procedures and regulatory requirements.

Desirable

• Formal qualification 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.
• In-depth experience implementing competency management or continuation training activities.
• Experience engaging with regulators, ATC, airlines or operational stakeholders.
• Experience supporting airport reopening, operational transition or major operational change programmes.
• Understanding of operational management principles, resource planning and departmental governance sufficient to provide resilience in the absence of the Airfield Operations Manager.

What We Offer

In return, you will have the opportunity to play a vital role in the successful relaunch of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and help shape the future of one of the UK's newest and most exciting airports.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• Leading defined benefit pension scheme with generous employer contributions.
• 29 days annual leave (rising to 34 days after 5 years' service) plus 8 bank holidays.
• Eligibility for Shared Cost AVCs.
• Relocation package of up to £8,500.
• 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 services.
• Access to on-site gym facilities.
• Free on-site parking.

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 advanceemploymenthub@doncaster.gov.uk or visit their website www.advancedoncaster.co.uk for further details.

It is anticipated shortlisting will take place week commencing 26th October 2026 and that interviews will be held week commencing 2nd November 2026.

For further details or to arrange informal chat please email: dsarecruitment@doncaster.gov.uk and we will respond to arrange a convenient time.

To apply for the role please complete the attached application form and return to dsarecruitment@doncaster.gov.uk