Job Description

Date:

1 Dec 2025

Location:

Gatwick, GB

Company:

Civil Aviation Authority

Salary:

52,143 up to 58,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: BPSS

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

The Learning and Talent Manager is responsible for designing and delivering a strategic approach to learning, talent development, and early careers. The role supports the growth and progression of employees at all stages of their career--from apprentices and graduates to experienced professionals and leaders--ensuring alignment with organisational goals and workforce planning priorities. A key aspect involves developing scalable learning and development solutions that address current and future capability needs, foster a culture of continuous learning, and enable high performance across the CAA. Manage a team of career development and learning professionals.

Core Accountabilities

Learning and Development

Develop and implement a learning and development strategy that enhances organisational capability. Lead the design and delivery of a compelling management development approach to ensure the CAA delivers its People Strategy. Lead the design and delivery of other learning programmes, including, mandatory and soft skills training. Lead the design our Corporate Induction Programme Evaluate learning effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify learning needs and create tailored solutions.

Career Development

Create and embed career pathways and development frameworks to support internal mobility and progression. Facilitate career conversations, coaching, and mentoring initiatives. Support the creation and implementation of individual development plans.

Apprenticeships

Design and manage apprenticeship programmes across the organisation aligning to our Future Capabilities requirements. Ensure compliance with funding and regulatory requirements. Partner with external training providers to deliver high-quality apprenticeship experiences. Monitor apprentice progress and provide ongoing support to the Apprenticeship Lead.

Early Careers and Graduate Programmes

lead early careers strategy, including internships, placements, and graduate programmes. Lead the design structured graduate development programmes aligned with business needs. Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and development of early careers cohorts. Track performance and progression of graduates and early careers talent.

Decision Making

Strategic Planning




Planning and prioritisation of learning and talent initiative and early careers strategies. Prioritising initiatives based on organisational needs and workforce planning.




Programme Design and Delivery decisions




Deciding on the structure, content, and delivery methods for L&D, career development, and apprenticeship programmes. Selecting external providers and partners.




Resource Allocation




Managing budgets across learning, apprenticeships, and early careers. Allocating team responsibilities and ensuring capacity to deliver.




Policy and Compliance




Ensuring programmes meet regulatory and funding requirements (e.g. apprenticeship levy). Making decisions on internal policies related to development and progression.

Influencing Others

Senior Leadership


Influencing strategic priorities and investment in talent development. Presenting impact and ROI of programmes to gain buy-in.




Line Managers


Promote career conversations and internal mobility.




External Stakeholders


Building relationships with training providers, universities, and professional bodies. Negotiating contracts and partnerships.




Colleagues


Inspiring engagement in learning and career development opportunities. Advocating for inclusive and accessible development pathways.

Managing Others

Team Leadership


Providing direction, coaching, and support to the Apprenticeship Lead, Career Development Consultant, and L&D Consultant. Setting objectives, monitoring performance, and supporting professional growth.


Cross-Functional Collaboration


Coordinating with People and Culture, workforce planning and finance teams to align efforts. Facilitating collaboration across departments for programme delivery.


Operational Oversight


Ensuring delivery of high-quality programmes and services. Managing timelines, risks, and reporting across all areas.

About You

Essential

Collaborative approach to strategic planning Proven ability in managing a diverse team Proven ability to coordinate portfolios/programmes of work Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship building abilities Analytical and problem-solving capabilities Clear written and verbal communication Proven experience in learning and talent development, including early careers and apprenticeships. Strong understanding of career development frameworks and programme design. Experience in managing external providers and partnerships. Ability to analyse data and evaluate programme impact

Desirable

Experience with digital learning platforms and tools. Knowledge of apprenticeship levy and graduate recruitment trends CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent SuccessFactors / Skillsoft

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.

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 -

Closing Date: 15th December 2025

Interview Date: Due to the festive season, interviews for this role will be scheduled during the week commencing 5th January 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.

Job Segment:

Training, Compliance, Strategic Planning, HR, Education, Strategy, Legal, Aviation, Human Resources