Role Purpose:

The Airline Security & Compliance Manager supports the delivery and continuous improvement of the airline's Ground Operations Compliance Programme, ensuring adherence to applicable aviation regulations, company procedures and industry best practices.

In addition to broader ground operations compliance responsibilities, the role will provide oversight of aviation security compliance and air cargo security activities, ensuring all security controls and regulatory requirements are effectively maintained. The position will also provide support to safety investigation and occurrence management activities where required, contributing to the organisation's commitment to safe, secure and compliant ground operations.

Responsible for conducting compliance monitoring activities, audits, inspections and operational reviews across ground operations functions, including ramp operations, transport services, ground handling, aircraft turnaround activities and air cargo operations. The role will provide independent assurance that operational activities are conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements, company standards and customer obligations, whilst identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Working closely with operational departments and management teams, the postholder will support the implementation of corrective actions, monitor compliance performance and contribute to the effective management of regulatory oversight activities. The role will also support the development and maintenance of compliance monitoring programmes, audit schedules and compliance reporting processes.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities of the role:

Ground Operations Compliance

• Conduct compliance monitoring activities, audits, inspections and operational reviews across ground operations functions.
• Monitor compliance with company procedures, regulatory requirements, industry standards and customer obligations.
• Plan, undertake and report on internal audits, identifying non-conformities, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage corrective and preventative actions arising from audits, inspections, incidents and regulatory findings.
• Support regulatory oversight activities, external audits and inspections conducted by relevant authorities and customers.
• Maintain compliance records, audit documentation and monitoring programmes.
• Monitor regulatory developments and industry best practice, recommending updates to policies, procedures and training programmes where required.
• Produce compliance reports and trend analysis to support operational performance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Liaise with operational departments, airports, ground handling providers, customers and regulatory bodies on compliance matters.

Aviation Security

• Monitor and ensure compliance with UK and international aviation security regulations, company security programmes and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct security audits, inspections and compliance reviews across operational areas.
• Support the maintenance of security policies, procedures, manuals and associated documentation.
• Investigate security non-conformities and support the management of corrective actions.
• Promote security awareness and support the delivery of security-related training and compliance initiatives.
• Support regulatory inspections and audits conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Department for Transport (DfT) and other relevant authorities.

Cargo Security

• Ensure compliance with UK and international air cargo security regulations, company security programmes and secure supply chain requirements.
• Conduct audits, inspections and compliance reviews of cargo operations, facilities and third-party service providers to verify adherence to regulatory and company standards.
• Monitor cargo acceptance, screening, storage and transportation processes to ensure the effective application of approved security controls.
• Support investigations into cargo security incidents, non-compliances and regulatory findings, ensuring corrective and preventative actions are implemented and tracked to completion.
• Maintain cargo security approvals, documentation and records, supporting regulatory inspections and customer audits.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, cargo handling agents, freight forwarders and security providers on cargo security matters.
• Monitor cargo security training requirements and promote security awareness across cargo operations.
• Produce compliance reports and support continuous improvement initiatives to maintain the highest standards of cargo security and regulatory compliance.

Ground Safety Support

• Support the reporting and investigation of ground safety occurrences, incidents and accidents across ramp, cargo and operational environments.
• Assist in gathering information, evidence and documentation required for safety and security investigations.
• Support the preparation of investigation reports, corrective action plans and follow-up activities.
• Monitor and track corrective actions arising from safety investigations, audits and occurrence reports.
• Assist the Safety team with hazard reporting, risk assessments and trend monitoring activities as required.
• Promote safety awareness and support the communication of lessons learned from operational incidents and investigations.
• Provide administrative and compliance support to the organisation's Safety Management System (SMS) and regulatory reporting processes.

Key Skills, Knowledge and Experience required:

This role is ideally suited to an individual with strong aviation regulatory knowledge, auditing experience and a thorough understanding of ground operations, aviation security and compliance monitoring principles within an airline, ground handling or air cargo environment.

Essential Requirements

• Strong knowledge of UK and international aviation regulations, aviation security requirements and ground operations standards.
• Demonstrable experience within an airline, airport, ground handling, aviation services or related aviation environment.
• Proven auditing experience, including planning, conducting and reporting audits.
• Experience of compliance monitoring systems, quality assurance processes and risk-based auditing methodologies.
• Strong analytical, investigative and report-writing skills.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management capabilities.
• High level of integrity, professionalism and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance to a minimum Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level.
• Full right to work in the UK.

Desirable Requirements

• Previous experience within the air cargo sector.
• Knowledge of cargo security regulations, Regulated Agent requirements and secure supply chain controls.
• Auditor qualification or formal audit/compliance training.
• Experience working with regulatory authorities, including the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department for Transport (DfT).
• Experience supporting Safety Management Systems (SMS) and occurrence reporting processes.
• Aviation, security, compliance or quality-related professional qualifications.