Lithium Batteries Project Manager

Salary:  £50,477 to £53,000 – (dependent of experience)

Contract Type:  24-month Fixed Term Contract

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

This groundbreaking position will spearhead multiple high-impact projects addressing the significant risks posed by undeclared and counterfeit lithium batteries in the cargo compartments of passenger and cargo aircraft. We are seeking an exceptional self-starter with experience managing complex projects concurrently, ideally bringing specialised knowledge of lithium battery technologies or substantial expertise in dangerous goods regulations.

In this influential role, you will collaborate with senior stakeholders across government agencies and industry partners to develop sophisticated risk mitigation strategies that enhance aviation safety standards throughout the United Kingdom. Your contributions will have measurable impact on protecting aircraft, personnel, and passengers while establishing yourself as a recognised authority in this specialised field that directly safeguards lives and critical infrastructure.

Core Accountabilities

• Manage critical projects including national media campaign, lithium battery screening technologies, and cross-government working group within 12-month timeframe
• Develop comprehensive project documentation including scope, success criteria, and risk assessments
• Lead cross-functional project planning and senior-level stakeholder management across government, industry and technical experts
• Oversee complex procurement processes for research with multiple suppliers
• Ensure delivery to agreed time, cost and quality standards while managing risks and dependencies
• Identify benefits and conduct impact assessments focused on business outcomes
• Report to Director-level stakeholders with risk mitigation recommendations
• Manage research budgets, monitoring expenditure against deliverables
• Provide coaching to less experienced staff while maintaining professional development
• Create tender documentation, evaluate submissions, and develop research costings
• Define contract terms and monitor deliverables, providing challenge when necessary

About You

Minimum essential requirements for the role:

• The postholder requires an honours degree in an Engineering, Aeronautical or Supply Chain Management field.
• Understanding of the aviation industry and the environment in which the CAA operates.
• Sound understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods of research.
• Experience in Waterfall or Agile project methodologies is essential.
• Experienced manager with previous experience of working collaboratively on challenging projects
• Excellent communications skills to enable effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders up to Director Level, with the ability to adapt approach to explain technical subjects to a level appropriate to the audience.
• Strong people management experience largely resolving staff issues directly or with senior manager support, where necessary.

Desirable skills for the role:

• Experience and expertise in the following areas is preferred; Aviation and Aviation Regulation, Lithium Batteries or wider Dangerous Goods, Fire Suppression Systems, Aviation Supply Chain
• A formal PM qualification such as Prince 2 and/or APM.
• Procurement and tendering experience is highly desirable.

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.

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: Friday 23rd May 2025

Interview Date: w/c Monday 2nd January 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.