About the job

Summary

Airfield Product Technology Director

Permanent

Hybrid (Manchester / UK Airports)

Why MAG?

At MAG, we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK-owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers each year across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate.

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 through decarbonisation, education, skills development and volunteering initiatives.

At MAG, we recognise that creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues.

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

• Bonus scheme
• 10% company contribution pension
• Car allowance
• Private medical scheme
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised public transport
• Huge range of company discounts
• 2 volunteering days per year
• Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Care Concierge service

The Role

We’re looking for an Airfield Product Tech Director to join our Technology Leadership Team, reporting to the Group Products & Services Director.

This is a strategically significant leadership role that sits at the intersection of aviation operations, safety-critical systems and technology transformation. You’ll define and deliver MAG’s long-term vision for airfield and air traffic technology, helping to create safer, more efficient, resilient and sustainable operations across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports.

Acting as MAG’s recognised subject matter expert for airfield and air traffic technology, you will partner closely with Airport Directors, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), operational stakeholders and technology partners to build shared understanding, align priorities and deliver measurable value for our airports, customers and colleagues.

You’ll lead the development of an ambitious and forward-looking technology strategy, bringing stakeholders together to create a shared vision for the future of airfield operations across MAG. From airfield management and surface surveillance through to collaborative decision-making and emerging technologies, you will help ensure MAG remains at the forefront of aviation innovation.

This role combines strategic leadership, technical expertise and commercial accountability, with responsibility for a specialist team and a significant portfolio of technology products and investments. You’ll play a key role in shaping how our airports operate today while creating the foundations for future advancements in digital, data-driven and increasingly automated airport operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Defining and delivering MAG’s airfield and air traffic technology strategy across all three airports
• Acting as the Group-wide authority on airfield technology, providing strategic guidance to senior stakeholders and operational leaders
• Developing and maintaining a long-term product roadmap aligned to operational, safety, customer and commercial priorities
• Building trusted partnerships with Airport Directors, operational teams and ANSP leadership to develop solutions that address shared priorities and operational challenges
• Driving technology-enabled improvements in safety, resilience, capacity, punctuality, sustainability and cost efficiency
• Providing thought leadership on emerging technologies including digital towers, AI-assisted traffic management and autonomous ground operations
• Ensuring products and investments align with regulatory requirements, safety obligations and aviation industry best practice
• Collaborating closely with Technology and Strategic Change teams to guide products from concept through to successful operational deployment
• Providing design assurance throughout delivery lifecycles to ensure intended business outcomes are achieved
• Managing significant capital and operational budgets, investment priorities and supplier relationships
• Maximising value from strategic technology partnerships while reducing dependency on legacy systems and single suppliers
• Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing team, creating an inclusive environment that encourages growth, innovation and accountability
• Using insight, data and stakeholder feedback to continuously improve products, services and operational outcomes
• Championing product-led ways of working and fostering a culture of curiosity, learning and continuous improvement
• Representing MAG with credibility across industry, regulatory and supplier communities, building strong external relationships and partnerships

What will make you successful in the role?

We’re looking for an experienced technology leader who combines deep expertise in airfield and air traffic management with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.

You’ll bring the ability to shape strategic direction whilst building strong partnerships across operational, technology and regulatory communities. You'll be comfortable working in complex environments, balancing long-term ambition with practical delivery and bringing people together around shared outcomes.

Success in this role will come from your ability to influence at senior levels, develop trusted relationships with airport leaders, regulators and suppliers, and create an environment where people feel empowered to contribute, innovate and perform at their best.

You’ll be equally comfortable providing technical expertise, challenging constructively when required and supporting teams through complex change, ensuring technology investments deliver meaningful and sustainable operational improvements.

Experience and knowledge required

We’re seeking a leader who combines strategic thinking, operational aviation expertise and strong people leadership. You’ll have a track record of delivering complex technology transformation whilst fostering collaboration, developing capability and creating alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.

Essential experience and knowledge:

• Significant experience leading technology strategy and product delivery within airfield, air traffic management or safety-critical aviation environments
• Deep knowledge of airfield operations, controller working environments, surface management, surveillance systems and associated technology ecosystems
• Strong understanding of ICAO standards, UK CAA requirements and safety-critical regulatory frameworks
• Proven ability to develop and execute long-term technology strategies that deliver measurable operational and commercial benefits
• Experience building strong partnerships with senior operational leaders, regulators and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated success leading specialist technical teams, including coaching, capability development and succession planning
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing substantial technology budgets and supplier relationships
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively from board level through to technical delivery teams
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, using insight and evidence to shape decisions and investment priorities

Desirable experience:

• Experience operating across multi-site airport environments
• Knowledge of digital tower technology, AI-assisted traffic management and autonomous ground operations
• Experience working with EUROCONTROL programmes, standards and collaborative decision-making frameworks
• Understanding of balancing Group-wide technology standardisation with local operational requirements