Civil Aviation Authority

Policy Specialist - Heliports & Vertiports

Company
Location
Gatwick, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
8/22/2025
Description
Salary: £52,143 to £58,000 – dependent on experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full time

Location: Gatwick – Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

As a regulator one of the biggest challenges, we face is ensuring that policy is developed in line with industry technological and methodological advancements. Post EU-Exit the CAA has been presented with an outstanding opportunity to enable a dynamic programme of policy advancement designed to enable the UK to be at the forefront of innovation in the future aviation global marketplace, and to build on past successes where mature requirements are already in place. This means building on the CAA’s current policy related to heliports and addressing some of the most technically exciting, controversial, and pressing issues in aviation today and into the future. The diverse topics covered by this role range from participation in international groups, servicing CAAI contracts for the development of helicopter landing sites at UK hospitals (feasibility studies etc), working with industry, Department for Transport and other stakeholders to, addressing outcomes for heliport operations from fatal accident enquiries and the integration of hybrid electric vehicles into UK Airspace, with the accommodation of these new vehicle types at state-of-art purpose built vertiports and their operation at heliports or aerodromes.

As a Policy Specialist with a responsibility for Heliports & Vertiports you are being presented with a unique opportunity that encapsulates both the well-established, but evolving world of heliport requirements, combined with the novel, future focussed policy challenges of vertiports, that will test your ability to problem solve, manage varied stakeholder groups, and drive delivery. If you are the kind of person who thrives in an environment with a high degree of variety and stakeholder engagement, where you will be leading in the development of policy and safety improvements in a mature helicopter industry on the one hand but forging new ground in a fledgling eVTOL industry on the other, then this position offers you an unparalleled opportunity to make an impact in both these environments. The role will entail you partnering with external customers and other internal subject matter experts to deliver pragmatic and proportionate policy. Having as a pre-requisite a good working knowledge of heliport design and operations, you will be tasked with developing and applying your knowledge and expertise to ensure that the policy we are creating for vertiports is fit for purpose and does not stifle innovation but rather enables industry to develop quickly whilst prioritising the safety of the travelling and general public.

The decisions and actions you will take in this dual-hatted role will have far reaching implications and, will entail you developing further CAA’s suite of mature heliport requirements. You will have the opportunity to participate in international regulatory groups including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

About You

Minimum essential requirements for the role:

  • You should possess a good understanding and familiarity with current heliport design standards as set out internationally in ICAO Annex 14 Volume II and the Heliport Manual. Familiarity with CAP 168, CAP 1264, CAP 437 and Reg 139/2014 (UK or EASA) is also considered to be an advantage. Military experience such as with RA3531 can be recognised.
  • An understanding or background of working within a regulatory environment either within an aviation specialism (in particular an aerodrome and/or heliport design or a flight operations background) or another safety critical industry is desirable
  • Demonstrable understanding and interest in innovation and technological trends, more specifically those that will shape the future of aviation, e.g. artificial intelligence, digitisation, and automation, RPAS, UTM, UAM, electrification and battery technologies
  • Possessing a flexible and adaptable approach with evidence of working in highly dynamic and changing environments
  • Having a proven aptitude for applying a risk-based and principles-led approach in an ambiguous environment where there are currently no standards or regulations and where priorities can change
  • A curious and quick learner, able to seek out information to advise the project and generate new insights
  • An effective written and verbal communication style with experience in management of relationships with industry and internal
  • Having previously worked in the helicopter industry is considered to be an advantage

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusivity

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrate our diversity ensuring all are backgrounds included here at the CAA. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We will also consider equivalent military skills that are relevant to the role.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as:

  • Flexible & hybrid working arrangements available
  • 28 days annual leave + public holidays (additional 5 days leave purchase scheme)
  • Generous pension scheme (Up to 12% employer contribution)
  • Wellbeing Room at Gatwick
  • Mental Health and Suicide First Aiders
  • Employee Assistance Programme, talking therapies and neurodiversity support via Occupational Health & access to Headspace for colleagues and 5 dependents
  • Free onsite gym at Gatwick or discounted gym membership for London
  • EV charging points
  • Employee Development courses internally and via Skillsoft

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 29th September 2025



We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.



No recruitment agencies please.

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Policy Specialist - Heliports & Vertiports | Civil Aviation Authority | Hunt UK Visa Sponsors