Board Stakeholder Engagement Lead

Salary: £50,477 up to £67,303 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: BPSS

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

The Stakeholder Engagement Lead will work closely with the Chair & Chief Executive and Board Members and be responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to support delivery of the overall CAA's mission and organisational objectives. The postholder will engage with those we protect (consumers) and those we enable, for example, airlines, and new technology providers at the cutting edge of innovation.

This role requires strong communication, relationship-building, and project management skills, along with the ability to work effectively and autonomously with both internal teams and external stakeholders at senior levels.

This will be a highly visible role with travel around the UK, and regular attendance at the CAA’s London and Gatwick offices.

Core Accountabilities

Develop, implement, and lead a senior stakeholder engagement strategy to align with the organisation's mission and objectives, working closely with the Chair & Chief Executive to deliver the full breadth of the CAA’s mission to protect people and enable aerospace.

Serve as a point of contact for senior stakeholder interactions, ensuring clear and consistent communication on the CAA’s position on key strategic issues, including regular (monthly) meetings with Senior Leaders to shape their engagement schedule.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with key industry stakeholders, trade bodies such as airlines, airports, and community groups.

Work closely with high-level stakeholders and industry bodies to accurately and confidently represent the CAA’s strategic view on key issues, such as growth, new technology, sustainability and environmental impacts of aviation.

Prepare and/or coordinate succinct, relevant, and timely briefings and support materials for senior leaders to facilitate effective stakeholder engagement. This would include relevant technical information from across the business, as well as areas to influence and issues to resolve.

Collaborate closely with colleagues across the Communications, Strategy, and Policy Group (CSP) and other teams within the organisation. This would include leading the collation of information from across the business to provide Senior Leaders with up to date accurate advice and details to support their engagements, as above.

Work with cross-functional teams to identify stakeholder needs and proactively address concerns. This includes understanding existing and emerging issues, such as new technology and economic growth.

Plan and organise key meetings, support the Communications team with planning for significant events (including major industry events, e.g. Farnborough Air Show, CAA’s Annual Address), and visits to support stakeholder engagement, in collaboration with relevant teams, to enable CAA to engage with all its key stakeholder groups in a balanced and proportionate way.

Monitor and evaluate stakeholder engagement activities, by reviewing past and planned engagements as well as correspondence from stakeholders ensuring the CAA leadership maintains effective connections with the aerospace sector.

Decision Making

Identify potential risks associated with stakeholder relationships and develop mitigation strategies, escalating the highest risks, such as potential relationship breakdowns, to Head of Office of the Chair and CEO as required.

Make recommendations and decisions as to which stakeholders to prioritize given capacity constraints of senior leadership.

Oversee external correspondence to the Chair and Chief Executive, taking action to determine whether it accurately reflects the views of the CAA and supports stakeholders to understand the position of the CAA.

Influencing

Provide advice to the CAA Board and Executive Committee on stakeholder-related matters so that the CAA covers senior stakeholder groups in a balanced and appropriate way.

Promote engagement from external stakeholders: C-suite level contacts across industry including airline, airport, and community groups such as those interested in airspace changes, noise, and other sustainability interests.

Internal influencing of senior leaders, including ExCo and the Board to facilitate effective stakeholder engagement. A significant component of the role will be influencing areas of the business to engage on preparation of materials to support senior leaders, as well as supporting senior leaders to understand which issues to engage on. The postholder will also need to engage with stakeholders to understand their views and help them understand the views of the CAA.

About You

Essential Experience

Significant and specialist experience in stakeholder engagement, ideally in the aerospace industry or related field.

Experience of making judgements at a high level to make informed decisions and mitigate risks.

Proven success in working closely with high-level stakeholders and industry bodies.

Proven ability to maintain strong and trusted relationships with both the Chair and CEO.

Proven ability to succinctly and swiftly analyse complex information pertaining to stakeholder views and/or organisational positions on issues and present insights to senior leaders. For example, feedback and success rates from previous engagements, communications received from stakeholders, pressure from the government.

Desirable

Public relations experience.

Skills

A sound understanding of the aerospace sector, regulatory frameworks, and relevant policies.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively and confidently on strategic issues with diverse audiences.

Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and SMEs across different teams and functions and build relationships internally to call on expertise when needed.

Analytical skills to problem solve against competing demands and issues.

Basic excel helpful to maintain database of engagement.

Qualifications

External affairs of public relations or communications qualifications desirable.

Personal Qualities

A self-starter who takes initiative.

Strong sense of judgement.

Passionate about building relationships.

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.

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

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

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 use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

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

Closing Date: 19th May 2025

Interview Date: 12th and 13th June 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.