Executive Director - Aviation (Part Time)

General Secretary - Aviation Employment Relations

Type: Permanent
Location: Near Haywards Heath (Hybrid working available)
Part time: 3 days per week

Role Overview:

We are seeking a General Secretary with strong diplomacy, negotiation, and leadership skills to oversee member support, representation, and organisational operations within an aviation employment context. The role combines advocacy, strategic responsibility, and day-to-day leadership, ensuring members are effectively supported while the organisation operates in line with UK employment law and regulatory requirements.

This position requires a proactive and responsive individual who can manage complex matters, represent members at a senior level, and contribute to the effective governance and growth of the organisation.

This role will particularly appeal to ex-pilots or candidates with experience in employment relations and/or a legal background who are not currently practising, and who are interested in applying their knowledge in a representative and advisory capacity within the aviation sector .

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent and support members in disciplinary, grievance, misconduct, and capability proceedings.
• Represent and support members at Employment Tribunals.
• Lead negotiations on behalf of members regarding pay, terms, and conditions of employment.
• Promote the organisation within the aviation industry and support membership growth.
• Support the Executive Committee in fulfilling its legal and organisational responsibilities.
• Act as a key point of contact for urgent and complex member issues, including out-of-hours matters where required.

Candidate Profile:

• Strong diplomacy, negotiation, and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Knowledge of UK employment law and the aviation sector is desirable.
• Understanding of aviation operations and/or pilot experience is advantageous.
• Experience in employment relations, industrial relations, HR, or a legal background (non-practising welcome).
• Ability to handle complex cases and represent individuals at a senior level.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills with attention to detail.
• Confidence working independently and making sound judgements under pressure.
• Proficient in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel as required, including overnight stays.
• Flexibility to work outside normal hours when necessary.
• Full UK driving licence required.