Noise and local impacts senior advisor

Noise and Local Impacts Senior Advisor ( 5694)

(Known Internally as Sustainability Principal – Noise Reporting

Salary: £64,000 to £67,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Security Level: BPSS

Location: London / Gatwick / Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 29 Nov 2026

Interview Date: From 9-15 Dec 2026 on line

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

Aviation is evolving rapidly, and so are expectations around its environmental performance. As air traffic grows, understanding and communicating aviation’s environmental impact - carbon, noise, air quality, and more - has never been more important. The CAA plays a critical role in building the evidence base that informs decision‑making across Government, industry, and the public.

As a Sustainability Principal – Noise and local impacts, you will bring the technical and analytical skills required to lead on these issues within the CAA’s Sustainability Team. You will apply your understanding of noise metrics, e.g. LOAEL and Leq, to shape how the CAA analyses and uses this information to inform policy. You will apply your analytical skills to other local environmental issues such as biodiversity and water, as well as supporting the wider work of the sustainability team.

You will directly contribute to our research and reporting activities such as the Aviation Environmental Review. Working in close collaboration with CAA teams such as the Environmental Research and Consultancy Department (ERCD), you will lead research, analysis and insights that further the capabilities of the CAA and advocate for our work both internally and externally.

Core Accountabilities

Noise and local environmental expertise

• Act as a recognised expert within the CAA by maintaining an excellent knowledge of policy, technological, and scientific developments relevant to aviation noise, including health impacts.
• Lead the development of strategic research and reporting priorities related to noise and local environmental issues, to support delivery of the CAA’s Sustainability Strategy.
• Provide authoritative, evidence-based advice to senior colleagues and external stakeholders (industry, Government) on noise and local environmental impacts and trade-offs.
• Represent the CAA on noise and local environmental issues in national and international forums.

Analytical skills

• Plan and own accurate and robust quantitative and qualitative analysis, delivering transparent, impactful outputs (e.g. the Aviation Environmental Review).
• Guide our environmental and data analysts, building capability and resilience in the analysis of noise and local environmental issues.
• Drive innovation in the use of analytical tools, datasets and methodologies, including improved data governance.

Communication and project management

• Lead noise and local environmental issues research and reporting projects, communicating on direction, progress, challenges, and results achieved.
• Interpret and communicate complex findings clearly for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Work collaboratively within the sustainability team as well as with other CAA teams to identify and leverage existing expertise, tools and data that would further our research and reporting capabilities.

About You

Essential

• Strong technical capability on noise, and knowledge of policy and regulatory processes.
• Ability to engage with expert communities (e.g. academia, industry) and to monitor scientific developments such as advances in noise research or best practices on sustainability reporting.
• Experience project managing research and/or reporting initiatives end‑to‑end, such as noise exposure or environmental impact assessments.
• Advanced analytical capability, with excellent critical thinking, problem‑structuring and data interpretation skills; ensuring high-quality outcomes from datasets and modelling outputs.
• Ability to interpret complex findings and communicate them clearly verbally and in writing, using compelling visualisation and tailoring messages for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams to identify, share, and effectively leverage existing expertise, tools, and data, applying strong people leadership skills.

Desirable

• Direct experience working on aviation or transport‑related noise and local environmental issues.
• Ability to operate with strategic awareness, balancing analytical rigour with delivery, stakeholder needs, and organisational priorities.
• Experience applying analytical evidence to real‑world policy or regulatory questions, with an understanding of how evidence influences decision‑making.
• Experience driving innovations, e.g. in analytical processes or reporting pipelines.
• Ability to work in an agile way, adapting to priorities.

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 is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. To help ensure transparency and protect the independence and reputation of the CAA, candidates invited to interview will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests form, disclosing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence, or be seen to influence, their ability to perform the role objectively and impartially.

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 committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values

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

Closing Date: 29 Nov 2026

Interview Date: From 9-15 Dec 2026 on line

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.