Airfield Operations Lead

Date: 11 Sept 2026

Location: Manchester Airport, GB

Company: MAG

Airfield Operations Lead

Based at Manchester Airport

Permanent position

4 on, 4 off shift pattern covering days, nights and relief shifts

Competitive salary

 

Why Manchester Airport?

 

Every year, Manchester Airport connects over 30 million passengers with more than 200 destinations across the globe. As the third largest airport in the UK, Manchester is also in the top 20 airports in Europe. Part of the largest UK owned airport operator group, MAG, Manchester Airport supports over 19,000 jobs onsite and generates around £7.75bn each year for the region.

 

Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We're committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities.  Our programmes include airport and airline decarbonisation, comprehensive education, skills and employment support and community engagement initiatives including volunteering opportunities.

 

At MAG, we recognise creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues and we are committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive.

 

You’ll also have access to some great benefits including:

  • Flexible and generous company pension plan with various company contribution options (up to 10%) that you can change to suit your personal needs
  • 24 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Free parking
  • Subsidised public transport
  • Huge range of company discounts
  • Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Care Concierge service
  • Two volunteering days per year

 

The role

This is an exciting role in which you’ll lead our ‘on-shift’ Airfield Operations Team, ensuring performance is maintained against our daily schedule of flights and all compliance and safety standards are achieved.

 

You’ll work within a dynamic and fast paced operation, using quick thinking to provide solutions to operational constraints, incidents, occurrences and emergency situations, escalating issues and operational risks where necessary.

 

You’ll also work with our onsite service partners to ensure a smooth journey for our passengers, with flights departing safely and on time.

 

What will make you successful in the role?

We’re looking for someone with experience of leading a team in a complex operational environment with a focus on safety, compliance and service delivery; with a passion for personal development.

 

You’ll have knowledge of operational performance and risk management techniques to inform decision making, a focus on continuous improvement to drive operational performance and the ability to effectively lead and inspire a team.

 

You’ll be a strong communicator with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and partners to support operational delivery. You’ll also need to be able to interpret technical data.

 

 

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

 

We’re building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We’re on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. With so many exciting roles across our airports and businesses, there’s space for your unique strengths to shine.

 

Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you – even if you don’t think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring.

 

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We’re committed to helping you perform at your best.

 

At MAG, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that: Women’s Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.