Lead, Support, and Inspire – Flight Crew Manager with British Airways at Heathrow!
Shape the Future of Flight Operations at the World's Most Iconic Airline
British Airways is seeking an experienced, resilient, and people-focused Flight Crew Manager to join our team at Heathrow. This is a unique leadership opportunity to manage and influence the performance and behaviour of our flight crew, ensuring a safe and efficient operation while fostering a motivated team of operational leaders.
If you have a proven track record in people management within an airline or similar operational environment, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure, this could be the role for you.
Role Purpose
To lead and support flight crew by managing and influencing their performance and behaviour, to achieve a safe and efficient operation and foster a motivated team of operational leaders.
Key Accountabilities
As a Flight Crew Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting our pilots throughout their careers. Your responsibilities will include:
People Management & Leadership
- Line manage a team of circa 250 pilots for all aspects of their career, supporting them as necessary
- Enhance and promote all aspects of Flight Crew wellbeing and inclusion—creating a supportive and inclusive culture
- Manage complex individual operational and people management issues to meet business needs and performance requirements
- Act as the main interface between the LHR pilot community and the fleet teams for all people-related matters
- Ensure timely and appropriate recognition for flight crew following incidents or life events
Operational & Safety Management
- Manage procedures and processes that improve fleet safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness, including safety management, fatigue management, H&S, internal controls, and station briefs
- Support pilots following personal issues or operational incidents to ensure ongoing and appropriate assistance where required
- Manage the Flight Crew fitness to operate processes as necessary
- Compliance monitoring of corporate non-regulated training
Attendance & Policy Management
- Conduct Care and Concern calls to pilots and Return to Work Discussions
- Conduct Stage 1 and Stage 2 Absence Review Interviews with pilots, including associated administrative tasks
- Administer and support attendance management processes; uncertified absence, absence declarations, lateness/no-shows, and absence not deemed genuine
- Ensure accurate and timely attendance management records are kept
- Effective management of corporate employment and departmental policies relating to Flight Crew (EG901, EG903, EG300) in conjunction with the flight crew support team
- Application of EG300 for Flight Crew, especially those who are long-term sick and grounded from flying, including regular duty of care contact for pilots in section 4
- Manage and record Right to Request part-time applications and Special Leave requests, balancing conflicting priorities
Additional Duties
- Undertake ad hoc work or provide appropriate cover for other teams as required
Qualifications & Experience
To succeed in this role, you'll need:
Essential
- Experience of people management in an airline context or similar operational role
- Experienced people manager of a large, diverse operational team
- Experience of managing/supporting Trade Union relationships
- Proficient in using IT Systems including Office 365
- Able to hold an airside pass
Desirable
- Strong working knowledge of corporate policies
- Strong working knowledge of Bidline Rules and MOA
- Strong working knowledge of BA Operations Manuals
Skills & Capabilities
We're looking for someone who brings:
- Highly developed interpersonal skills with a proactive management style
- Strongly developed communication skills, verbal and written
- Personal resilience and a positive attitude with the ability to remain calm under pressure
- Ability to build relationships and be highly empathetic while also having a strong understanding of the needs of the business and a willingness to handle difficult or unpopular messages
- Ability to coach and develop colleagues to inspire, motivate, and deliver in the best interests of the business
- Conflict management skills
- A structured and rigorous approach to ensure timely completion of safety-critical tasks (Airbus Only)
- Flexible approach/able to deal with multiple issues at one time
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills, with good attention to detail, analysis, and option evaluation skills
- Ability to prioritize quickly in operationally critical situations
Why British Airways?
British Airways is more than an airline—we're a symbol of British excellence and a proud member of the global aviation community. When you join our team, you become part of:
- An iconic brand with a rich heritage and a global reputation for excellence
- A dynamic, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same
- A supportive culture that values your contribution and invests in your growth
- The opportunity to make a real impact on the safety and success of our operation
Ready to Lead with British Airways?
If you're a seasoned people manager with a passion for aviation and a commitment to excellence, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and take the next step in your career with British Airways at Heathrow.
Your leadership journey starts here. Join British Airways and shape the future of flight operations.
