Operations Manager - Aviation 
Fixed Term Contract - 12 months

Temporary FTC
Location: Birmingham and Heathrow (split across both locations)
Hours: Full Time, Monday - Friday
Pay: Up to £55,000 pa

Join Our Team as a Operations Manager covering two airports - Heathrow and Birmingham, for 12 months covering maternity leave. 

About the Role:

You will be responsible for:

• Lead all operational delivery across Heathrow and Birmingham Airport contracts, ensuring safe, compliant, and consistent service
• Take full ownership of contract performance against SLAs, KPIs, and budgets
• Build strong, strategic relationships with key clients, including airport authorities and stakeholders
• Drive commercial performance, managing costs, productivity, and profitability
• Identify and implement service improvements, efficiencies, and innovation opportunities
• Support business growth through identifying and contributing to new opportunities and contract expansions
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team across both locations
• Create a positive, inclusive, and engaged working culture for c.260 colleagues
• Ensure excellence in health & safety, compliance, and risk management
• Represent the business at industry events, client forums, and key stakeholder meetings

Why Join Us?

• Annual leave entitlement of 26 days
• Lifestyle Benefits – Mortgage and financial advice, vouchers for various shopping outlets and food stores, employee referral scheme. 
• Learning & Development – we actively encourage progression and offer various eLearning courses, progression, training whilst on site, apprenticeships, and in-house training courses.  
• Health and Wellbeing – Life assurance scheme, access to mental health support specialists
• Access to an Online GP for you and your dependents. 
• Financial support 
• Discounts on hundreds of retail sites
• Progression opportunities – many of our team go on to senior and site management roles
• A welcoming, respectful team culture
• Cycle to Work scheme

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience leading complex, multi-site operations in a regulated environment
• Strong commercial acumen with experience delivering against budgets and financial targets
• Demonstrable experience supporting growth, business development, or contract expansion
• Excellent stakeholder management skills at senior client level
• Confident presenter with experience in client meetings or tender environments
• Strong leadership track record, with experience building and developing high-performing teams
• Resilient and decisive, able to perform in fast-paced, high-pressure environments
• Strong problem-solving skills, particularly in operational or incident scenarios
• High level of customer focus, ideally within a service-led environment
• Strong IT skills, including MS Office and performance reporting tools

• Ability to obtain airside clearance and pass all relevant background checks
• Flexibility to travel and work across both Heathrow and Birmingham sites

Interested? Apply now!
Please be aware that, on occasion, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of strong applications

Wilson James is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position, however each case will be assessed on an individual basis. For information about Wilson James' commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, https://wilsonjames.co.uk/sustainability 
Wilson James have been raising standards in security, construction logistics, aviation services, and technology for over 30 years. With 5,000 employees and a presence across over 300 client sites all over the UK, we are dedicated to delivering tailored solutions and top-tier customer service. As a leading managed service provider, we prioritise safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Joining Wilson James offers the excitement of working with diverse, vibrant clients, making for a dynamic and engaging workplace.   

Internal Applicants
At Wilson James, we support career growth and offer internal mobility to help employees explore new roles and advance within the company. Committed to promoting from within, we provide clear career pathways and continuous skill development. Unlock your potential by applying for exciting internal opportunities and new challenge. If you are currently employed under TUPE terms and conditions, please note that successful appointment to this role will be on Wilson James standard terms and conditions.