People Consultant

Salary: £45,000 up to £50,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: 9 months Fixed Term Contract, Full-time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick – Aviation House (min 2 days in the office per week).

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

As part of the People Services team, the People Consultant provides a dedicated and proactive service to our people managers and colleagues advising on a broad range of people related activity across the organisation. This includes coaching and advising managers on informal and formal employee relations cases, providing people data and insights to management to help inform decisions and initiate appropriate actions.

Subject to workload, there is also the opportunity to contribute to key projects and activities aligned to group people plans and our CAA People Strategy.

Core Accountabilities

• Establish trusted relationships with people managers providing expert and commercially sound people advice, and guiding them in the evaluation of options, risks, and outcomes
• Provide coaching and support to people managers with complex employee cases such as performance management, absence management, disciplinary and grievance matters. This includes leading on formal procedures liaising with the Employee Relations Manager where specialist advice is required.
• Coach and mentor colleagues in the People Services Advisor Team supporting with complex queries or cases where needed
• Work with the Strategic People Partners on the implementation of change and restructuring programmes
• Analyse people metrics highlighting any trends to the management population and suggesting strategic people interventions which may be required
• Attend management meetings where required and highlight any emerging issues or key trends to the Strategic People Partner.
• Provide constructive challenge and support to people managers on matters relating to job evaluation, pay and benchmarking 
• Support managers with the evaluation of current capabilities in their team and work with them to identify any necessary learning interventions
• Deliver training or briefings to people managers in line with CAA People Strategy
• Identify opportunities to continuously improve HR policies and processes to ensure an effective and consistent service for CAA people managers.

About You

Essential

• Proven experience in a HR generalist or ER role with a track record of building trusted working relationships with people managers and leaders at all levels
• Proactive approach: takes ownership for supporting people managers with their case from start to finish
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment law with experience of applying this to complex ER cases; takes a commercial approach with a pragmatic approach to problem solving
• Experience in organisational change management and restructuring
• Self-aware and open to feedback; applies self-management techniques to support resilience
• Builds collaborative relationships with People and Culture colleagues  
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to coach, challenge, and influence at all levels
• Able to analyse data and share insights in a way that is easy to understand   
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information; high degrees of integrity and discretion are essential.
• Ability to work to deadlines with well-developed planning and organisational skills
• Comfortable working in a culture of constant change

Desirable 

• CIPD level 5 qualified

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.

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

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: 2nd June 2026

Interview Date: 9th June 2026

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.