AOC & ATO Compliance Manager

A career without limits

As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.

This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.

We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The role:

This role sits within the Flight Operations directorate, specifically within the Safety, Risk and Compliance function, which is responsible for ensuring that British Airways operates safely, legally, and in full alignment with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), EASA and international regulatory requirements. The team manages the safety management system, compliance monitoring, and regulatory approvals that underpin the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Approved Training Organisation (ATO).

This department plays a critical role in the airline as it safeguards the authority to operate by ensuring full regulatory compliance across all flight operations and training activities. Through proactive risk management, audit oversight, and governance of safety and compliance processes, the team enables safe, efficient, and resilient operations across the global network, protecting both our customers and our licence to fly.

What you’ll do:

• Design, implement and manage an effective compliance monitoring programme across Flight Operations and ATO.
• Transform policies into operational plans by developing processes for the continuous improvement of regulatory compliance management.
• Manage internal and external audits, including UK Civil Aviation Authority, IATA and European Aviation Safety Agency, on behalf of the Head of Flight Training and SM Safety, Risk and Compliance (AvSec, AOC, Audit & Compliance).
• Support the policy decision-making process in Flight Operations to ensure continued compliance with UK and EASA Regulations and Approvals.
• Lead and manage applications and act as focal for foreign National Aviation Authorities in support of Foreign AOCs, Ops Specs and Ops Permits to ensure compliance across the network.
• Lead proactive hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk management of Health and Safety issues across Flight Operations and ATO.
• Responsible for editing and maintaining key compliance and governance manuals in Flight Operations ensuring CAA approval is obtained when required.
• Analyse, conduct research and prepare reports on compliance and safety performance for governance groups and Safety Boards, enabling appropriate and informed regulatory and operational decisions.
• Deliver measurable results in AOC/ATO safety and compliance as a key decision maker.
• Responsible for the oversight of Flight Operations ground team Health & Safety compliance, driving adherence to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) standards and effective resolution of non-compliance.
• Deputise for SM Safety Risk and Compliance (H&S) when needed and SM Safety, Risk and Compliance (AvSec, AOC, Audit & Compliance).
• Proactively support directorate aims, goals and projects.

What you’ll bring to British Airways:

• Strong communicator, collaborator, and exceptional team player, confident in leading and managing interactions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, foreign National Aviation Authorities, EASA, Airport teams across the network, safety and operational departments, Trade Union Safety Representatives and other stakeholders.
• Understanding of how each part of the business interacts and able to find solutions to meet safety and compliance goals.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team, representing the SM Safety, Risk and Compliance (H&S), SM Safety, Risk and Compliance (AvSec, AOC, Audit & Compliance) and Flight Operations across the business.
• Excellent planning, organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to analyse complex written information and data and make clear recommendations to a broad spectrum of audiences, including Safety Boards.
• Acute attention to detail and accuracy in work carried out, with the ability to identify risk in process and operation.
• Resilient and can cope well working under pressure.
• Confident decision maker, using initiative and a creative approach to problem solving.

What we offer:

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.

At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.