Airfield Safeguarding and Change Manager

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing to relaunch, and we are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking airfield safeguarding and change management professional to play a key role in the airport’s return to operations. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of rebuilding and shaping the future of one of the UK’s most promising regional airports. As part of the Airfield Operations Team, you will help establish and maintain the safeguarding, planning and operational change arrangements that protect the airport’s long‑term viability, safety and compliance.

We are looking for a confident, credible and collaborative professional who is passionate about aviation operations and ready to make a meaningful impact. Your expertise will help ensure that development, infrastructure change and operational growth are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with regulatory requirements.

We are seeking an Airfield Safeguarding & Change Manager to lead the airport’s aerodrome safeguarding, planning consultation and operational airside change activities. Reporting to the Head of Airfield Operations, the postholder will act as the airport’s technical authority for safeguarding and the focal point for managing operational change within the airside environment.

The role will ensure that external developments, planning applications, infrastructure projects and operational changes are assessed, coordinated and integrated in a manner that protects the airport’s safe and compliant operation. This includes safeguarding Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems, and managing risks associated with construction activity, wildlife hazards, dangerous goods infrastructure, lighting, renewables and other developments that may impact aviation operations.

You will work closely with Local Planning Authorities, developers, Air Traffic Control (ATC), engineering teams, project managers, safety specialists and regulators to ensure that safeguarding and change management requirements are fully embedded across the airport. The role will also support regulatory assurance activities and play a key part in establishing the systems, processes and governance arrangements that will underpin the airport’s successful reopening and future growth.

• Developing, implementing and maintaining the airport’s aerodrome safeguarding framework, procedures, records and assurance arrangements.
• Acting as the airport’s focal point for statutory and non‑statutory planning consultations and providing clear, evidence‑based responses to planning authorities and developers.
• Assessing developments, temporary works and operational changes for potential impacts on protected airspace, instrument flight procedures, CNS systems, wildlife hazard management, dangerous goods infrastructure and other safeguarding considerations.
• Maintaining oversight of permanent and temporary obstacles affecting the aerodrome, including cranes, tall plant and construction activities.
• Coordinating with ATC, engineering teams, technical specialists and procedure design organisations to assess and manage operational and technical safeguarding risks.
• Acting as the operational lead for airside change management, ensuring projects, infrastructure changes and operational changes are risk assessed, controlled and integrated safely.
• Developing and coordinating Temporary Operating Instructions and other operational controls required to support works, projects and changes to the operating environment.
• Supporting audits, inspections and regulatory assurance activities through the maintenance of accurate records, evidence and action tracking.
• Building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support operational resilience, compliance and future airport growth.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to safeguarding and change management processes to support continuous improvement and operational excellence.

We are looking for an experienced aviation professional with a strong understanding of aerodrome safeguarding,…