Description
You will lead operational improvement projects from concept through to delivery, working closely with colleagues across Heathrow and with external partners to enhance processes and outcomes. You’ll also act as the departmental client for wider Heathrow initiatives that impact Airfield Operations.
You will take tactical ownership of our Winter Operations plan, collaborating with third‑party resource providers, fleet teams and internal stakeholders to ensure our Snow Plan continually evolves and delivers readiness for every winter season. In addition, you will lead on the operational procedures, facilities and assurance of remote de‑icing, partnering with airlines and service providers to maintain high standards of performance and safety.
Working alongside IT, application development and data teams, you will help maximise the value of our operational systems and represent frontline needs on technology projects. You will also oversee the Airfield Operations infringements scheme, ensuring it is applied fairly, consistently and effectively.
Responsibilities
- Lead the tactical development of the Heathrow Snow Plan airside, ensuring continuous improvement of Heathrow’s winter response.
- Own the operational relationship for remote de‑icing, ensuring procedures, facilities and safety standards are maintained in collaboration with operators and control authorities.
- Act as custodian for Airfield Operations’ IT systems, identifying, scoping and delivering improvements, and representing operational needs in Heathrow‑wide system implementations.
- Work with central teams and SMEs to develop and enhance digital tools supporting the frontline operation (including ALFRED, Kestrel, Read & Sign and digital logging), driving continuous improvement.
- Oversee Airfield Operations facilities, ensuring buildings and fixed equipment meet regulatory, compliance and quality standards, setting the benchmark for operational departments.
- Own the operational delivery of the Infringements Management policy, ensuring fair and efficient administration, while influencing and engaging colleagues to support wellbeing, inclusion and departmental engagement - also deputising for the Airfield Operations Manager when required.
Qualifications
- Experience in Airfield Operations or another complex operational environment
- Be focussed on delivery; experienced in driving projects or initiatives from inception through to completion
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams in parallel; constantly seeking to identify opportunities to improve and develop new initiatives
- Be highly computer literate; ideally with some understanding of data or AI
- Bring strong safety and operational competence, including a solid understanding of Safety Management Systems, experience conducting risk assessments in complex environments, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams while driving continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with high‑level written and verbal communication, strong stakeholder management, confidence influencing up to Director level, and proven experience leading and developing people.
Ideally, you'll also have:
- Strong regulatory and safety competence, including a solid understanding of CAA regulations for aviation and Airfield Operations, plus a minimum IOSH Health & Safety qualification.
- Experience in quality and continuous improvement, with a background in applying continuous improvement methodologies and working with Quality Management Systems.
- Skilled in structured assessment and operating in complex environments, holding a recognised assessor qualification and experience working within a Trade Union framework.
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