Head of Capital Efficiency and Delivery
Salary: £97,000 up to £100,000, depending on experience
Contract type: Permanent, full-time. Part-time or fixed-term appointments are also available.
Security level: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
Visa sponsorship: This role does not offer visa sponsorship.
We are the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator and are recognised as a world leader in our field. Our work covers a wide range of activities and enables the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards. We pride ourselves on adapting to a constantly evolving aviation environment.
The role
The Economic Regulation and Competition Policy (ERCP) team is part of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Consumers and Markets Group (CMG). We protect consumers by ensuring that airports and air traffic service providers do not exploit their market position. We also oversee the CAA’s competition responsibilities and provide economic analysis and advice for its wider policies and initiatives.
The team is responsible for the economic regulation of Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL), Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) and NATS (En Route) Plc (NERL), the UK’s monopoly provider of en route air traffic services. Understanding the effects of policy options and our actions is essential to protecting consumers’ interests while supporting wider aviation policy.
We are looking for an experienced professional with expertise in capital expenditure and infrastructure projects to lead significant parts of our work on the regulation of airports and NATS, and contribute to policy programmes across the CAA.
Reporting to a Programme Director, you will lead work on key policy issues that support the successful delivery of high-value capital programmes. You will manage the work of economists and policy experts and oversee the commissioning and delivery of consultancy work.
Your initial focus is expected to be developing our approach to the implementation and oversight of regulated companies’ capital programmes. You will help ensure that we can analyse and scrutinise their key technical investment proposals effectively. This will include monitoring costs and efficiency, assessing whether benefits are delivered, and implementing incentives for timely delivery.
The role is also likely to include scrutinising and overseeing proposed capital expenditure as part of price control reviews and airport capacity expansion. Your responsibilities and areas of work will need to adapt as the team’s programmes and priorities change.
You will develop and deliver coordinated work plans, identify the most effective approach to analysis and oversight, and engage with senior stakeholders. You will ensure that technical analysis and policy are delivered on time, supported by robust evidence and appropriate quality assurance. This work will inform key decisions and must respond effectively to legal and stakeholder scrutiny.
You will apply first principles to resolve important issues and produce high-quality documents for publication. Excellent drafting and editing skills are essential.
This permanent role offers opportunities for professional development. You will work with a highly experienced team, engage with and directly influence senior leaders, and contribute to a wide range of high-profile economic and policy issues.
We recognise the importance of work-life balance and welcome candidates seeking part-time work, a job share or a full-time role. We are committed to hybrid working, with flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. Full-time team members currently attend the office for an average of around two days per week, with attendance adjusted proportionately for part-time colleagues. We will keep this arrangement under review based on the team’s needs.
Core accountabilities
As Head of Capital Efficiency and Delivery, you will:
- Lead key areas of policy development for the economic regulation of airports and air traffic services. This includes our approach to implementing and overseeing regulated companies’ capital programmes, and scrutinising proposed capital expenditure as part of price control reviews and capacity expansion.
- Where appropriate, support wider CAA work on consumer policy, aviation markets, and new innovations and technologies.
- Ensure that key deliverables are clearly defined, delivered on time and of a high standard, with appropriate quality assurance so they are supported by robust evidence and can be effectively defended under external scrutiny. Review and draft consultation, decision and policy papers covering difficult technical issues, including issues that may attract intense media and stakeholder interest. Draft and quality-assure papers for the CAA Board.
- Develop the overall approach to engagement with senior internal and external stakeholders, and engage directly with them on a wide range of policy issues.
- Oversee the work of economists, policy experts, technical advisers and consultants.
- Critically evaluate regulatory business plans and submissions from other stakeholders.
- Work closely with the Programme Directors to coordinate your work with the wider ERCP work programmes.
- Provide advice to the Programme Directors, Economics Director, Chief Economist, CAA Executive Committee and Board, as required.
- As a senior leader in the team, develop and empower team members through training and opportunities to build their skills.
- Champion the CAA’s values and diversity and inclusion policy.
Additional information
Many CAA appointments involve access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. People appointed to these roles must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.
To undergo vetting, you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be carried out.
If you do not meet these requirements, we may be unable to accept your application.
For more information on BPSS clearance please visit – BPSS clearance
The CAA expects high ethical standards and personal integrity from its employees. If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.
Location and head office relocation
This role is based at the CAA’s Canary Wharf office. Please note that the CAA’s head office will move from Aviation House at Gatwick to new premises within a 15-mile radius in a few years’ time. The move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.
Inclusive recruitment
We are committed to diversity and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee an interview to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us. We use fair and inclusive selection methods to appoint the best person on merit. Please let us know if you need an adjustment for any reason.
Working with us
We are becoming an increasingly adaptable organisation, with colleagues working together in cross-functional teams and continuing to learn together. You may take part in activities beyond your day-to-day role, giving you opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.
We offer hybrid working and flexible working patterns and welcome a conversation about what works for you. We recognise that where and when you work matters to your work-life balance.
Our benefits include flexible working arrangements, a free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership in London, 28 days’ annual leave, the option to buy five additional days of leave, a generous pension scheme and more.
Our values
Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here