Head of Training

The Head of Training (HoT) is responsible to the Accountable Manager for the overall safety, operational control, management, and effectiveness of the Group's training function across all sites and regulatory jurisdictions. The HoT is the nominated postholder accountable to the UK CAA, EASA and GCAA for the discharge of responsibilities defined under the relevant aviation authority regulations, and is responsible for coordinating training oversight and compliance. This role ensures that all approved training is delivered safely, compliantly, and to the highest professional standards, maintaining Skyborne's reputation as a world-leading provider of aviation training. The HoT is a key member of the Group Leadership Team, contributing to strategic growth, commercial success, and the development of a high-performing, international training culture. This is a business-critical appointment. The postholder will lead a geographically dispersed training operation, ensure multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance, drive continuous improvement in training quality and efficiency, and represent Skyborne to major airline customers and regulatory authorities worldwide.

• Oversee full regulatory compliance across UK Part‑FCL, Part‑ORA, EASA, GCAA and FAA requirements, acting as Skyborne’s primary liaison with global aviation authorities.
• Maintain postholder approvals and ensure accurate control, approval and distribution of Operations and Training Manuals across all sites.
• Lead safety and training risk management within the Safety Management System, contributing to safety boards, action groups and performance targets.
• Set and uphold high training standards for instructors and trainees, ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery across ground, simulator and flight training.
• Develop and manage comprehensive standards training and recurrent training programmes for instructors.
  Drive continuous improvement of syllabi, procedures and training materials, ensuring alignment with regulation, technology and airline partner expectations.
• Lead the design, regulatory approval and implementation of new training programmes, including airline pathways and advanced courses.
• Champion innovation in training delivery, leveraging modern instructional techniques, competency‑based training and emerging technologies.
• Oversee trainee progress, performance management and welfare, ensuring a supportive, professional and psychologically safe learning environment.
• Build and lead a high‑performing instructor team, including recruitment, succession planning, standardisation and performance management.
• Manage training resources, capacity and utilisation across multiple international sites to meet productivity, cost‑efficiency and on‑time performance targets.
• Support commercial activity through technical input on bids, pricing and customer relationships.
• Represent Skyborne at regulatory meetings, industry forums and customer presentations, strengthening the organisation’s profile and influence.
• Promote a strong safety, professionalism and just‑culture ethos across the training function.

The postholder will be accountable for delivering the following outcomes:

• Safety and Compliance: Safe, compliant, and high-quality delivery of all approved training programmes with zero major regulatory findings and maintenance of all postholder approvals.
• Training Performance: Consistent achievement of training on-time performance targets, trainee progression rates and pass rates in line with Group KPIs.
• Instructor Excellence: High instructor engagement, retention and performance, with evidence of continuous professional development and standardisation across sites.
• Regulatory Relationships: Strong, collaborative relationships with UK CAA, EASA, GCAA and FAA, resulting in successful oversight outcomes and timely approval of new programmes.
• Commercial Contribution: Effective support to airline customer relationships, contract delivery and new business opportunities, contributing to Group revenue and margin targets.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrable year-on-year improvements in training quality, efficiency, student satisfaction and innovation.
• Culture and Engagement: A positive, safe and high-performing training culture aligned with Skyborne values, evidenced through staff engagement surveys, safety reporting metrics and student feedback.

• Minimum 5–7 years in a senior training management role such as Head of Training, Chief Flight Instructor, Chief Pilot (Training), or Training Manager within an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or airline training environment.
• Proven track record managing training operations across multiple locations or regulatory environments (e.g. EASA, UK CAA, FAA, GCAA).
• Deep knowledge of Part-FCL, Part-ORA, SMS principles and the regulatory approval and oversight process. Previous experience as a nominated postholder with a major aviation authority is highly desirable.
• Hold or have held UK CAA and EASA licences with significant instructional qualifications (e.g. FI, IRI, CRI, TRI/TRE, Flight Examiner). Multi-engine and instrument rating instruction experience essential.
• Demonstrable experience managing large-scale training operations (e.g. multi-site, >200 students per year, mixture of ab initio, type rating and advanced training programmes).
• Proven experience managing training budgets, productivity targets, and contributing to commercial bids and airline customer solutions.
• Extensive experience leading, developing and performance-managing operational teams, with a track record of building high-performing cultures and developing talent.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Experience working with or for airline training departments or major airline customers.
• Previous experience in a start-up, rapid-growth or private equity-backed aviation business.
• Formal qualifications in education, instructional design, human factors or safety management.
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.

• 25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• Additional annual leave purchase scheme
• Enhanced sick pay
• 5% employer pension contribution 
• Private health insurance with discounted family plans 
• Life assurance scheme of 3x your annual salary
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee assistance programme
• Free mortgage advice
• Free on-site parking
• Rewards and recognition scheme 
• Access to state-of-the-art training facilities and resources