Airside Standards Officer

Description

The Airside Standards Officer plays a vital role in maintaining, enhancing airside operational standards and supporting development of operational procedures at Heathrow. This position ensures that airside operations consistently adopt continuous improvement methodologies to deliver safe, efficient, and compliant practices across Heathrow’s complex operational environment. 

The primary focus areas include: 

• Airside driving standards. 
• Airside Driving Permit (ADP) training and assurance processes. 
• Airside vehicles and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) requirements. 
• Other critical airside infrastructure standards. 

The post holder will research and benchmark industry best practices within their area of responsibility and oversee compliance with standards for third-party ADP training providers. Working collaboratively with airside stakeholders, the Airside Operations team, and the Operational Safety Improvement team, the role ensures that all standards align with Heathrow’s Quality & Safety Management Systems and meet applicable regulatory requirements

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain, and update airside standards documentation, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with Heathrow’s publication and industry best practices. 
• Support auditing activities for airside companies delivering ADP training. This includes organising audit meetings, verifying evidence, preparing audit reports, and ensuring adherence to established standards. 
• Act as the primary point of contact for airside operational standards, providing expert guidance to internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure safe, compliant operations in line with all relevant regulatory requirements
• Review and maintain airside operational standards, including airside driving protocols, the ADP process, airside vehicle and GSE requirements, and other critical airside infrastructure. 
• Drive continuous improvement of airside standards to ensure operations remain safe, practical, and efficient. 
• Support the review of Operational Safety Instructions (OSIs) and the Airside OSI Manual under the Head of Airside Operations, ensuring technical accuracy and relevance. 
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders—including NATS, ground handlers, and airlines—while working closely with internal Heathrow teams to ensure all standards align with overarching airside operational objectives. 
• Provide comprehensive support to the Airside Standards Manager in coordinating and executing ad hoc projects and meetings related to airside standards updates and developments. 
• Perform any other reasonable duties in support of the Airside Operations team.

Qualifications

Essential 

• Knowledge of the regulatory framework governing Heathrow’s operations, including Civil Aviation 
• Authority (CAA) requirements and associated documentation.
• Working experience of airside operations and relevant regulatory standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex issues, influence stakeholders to drive change, and produce high-quality formal documentation tailored to the intended audience.
• A valid UK driving licence and occupational health medical check to enable the successful post holder to obtain an ADP. 
• Able to develop positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent attention to detail with advanced computer skills.
• Able to follow a defined process but also able to think laterally (‘around the problem’) when required.

Desirable 

• Confident in influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Proven experience in audit processes and activities.
• Awareness of CAA CAP 790, CAA UK Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and the Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997.
• Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and compliance tracking tools

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