Airport Controller 

Birmingham Airport can serve over 140 destinations via 52 airlines and is the UK's third largest Airport outside the south-east and the UK's seventh largest overall. We have handled more than 12.5 million passengers a year and will continue to invest in significant new projects to prepare for future passenger and airline growth in the most challenging of times.

It is widely recognised that Birmingham Airport already benefits from some of the best transport provision at any UK airport, and with the planned High Speed 2 line to directly connect via a dedicated people mover to the Airport terminal, this accessibility is only set to improve. The coming years therefore represent a huge opportunity for Birmingham Airport to grow further. 

An employer to some 6500 people on site, we are also a major contributor to the West Midlands' economy supporting economic growth and prosperity for the region and beyond. 

Job Purpose  

Reporting to the Senior Controller, you will be responsible for the planning and operation of the processes and facilities of the Airport areas. 

To be responsible for allocation of aircraft parking stands and utilising safe systems of work provided and maintained by the Airfield Management Team. 

Operation of the centralised communications hub ensuring that the Airport Control Centre (ACC) is aware of any (airside/landside) operational issues affecting the performance of the Airport and/or its customers. 

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Senior Controller, you will be responsible for the planning and operation of the processes and facilities of the Airport areas.
• To be responsible for allocation of aircraft parking stands and utilising safe systems of work provided and maintained by the Airfield Management Team.
• Operation of the centralised communications hub ensuring that the Airport Control Centre (ACC) is aware of any (airside/landside) operational issues affecting the performance of the Airport and/or its customers.

Main Duties & Responsibilities
Operating the ACC facility
Maximising the use of existing facilities whilst not compromising customer service.
Operate and plan using in-house operational systems to ensure that passenger flows are maintained and on time departures are achieved.
Systems include:
• Stand Allocation (system provided and maintained by the Airfield Management Team)
• Valve Door Controls
• Access Control
• Flight Information
• CCTV
• Fire Alarm and Life Safety Systems
• Baggage Handling\Monitoring
• Fault Reporting systems for emergency issues
• Air Rail Monitoring
• Emergency co-ordination
• Communication links (via phone, radio and PA)
• Switchboard
• Road monitoring
• Airport Fire Control
• Maintain accurate logs
*This list is not exhaustive and may include any other system(s) associated with the Airport
To keep relevant records regarding the activities of the Control Centre.

The Team
A team player
Working with a team of Airport Controllers ensuring that an efficient, effective and consistent level of service is provided to the airport company and its customers/stakeholders.
To undertake all duties associated within the Airport Control Centre.
To participate in a culture of continuous improvement by fully participating in the success of the business and own self development.
To offer continued support to the Senior Controller and Airport Manager, as well as colleagues, to ensure the smooth running of the control centre.

Relationships
-Working in partnership
-Ensuring that close communications are maintained with all functions of the business.
-Communicate with key stakeholders (airlines, handling agents and control authorities) to -ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Airport’s facilities.
-To participate in an open culture and ensure that any artificial barriers to the efficient operation of the business are removed.

Safety
-To promote a culture of safety within the airport
-Responsible for the safe operation of the Airport Control Centre.
-To contribute to the overall safety of airport operations through vigilance of both airfield and terminal operations and provide support to the Airfield Safety Unit.
-To have an understanding of the Airport’s security policies and procedures.
-To play a key co-ordination role in the response to Emergencies.

Performance Monitoring
-The delivery of excellent performance To monitor performance against key performance indicators which clearly show airport performance in real time:
-On time departure
-Passenger flow
To deliver against the KPIs established for the Control Centre Controller’s role.

Other
To carry out such other duties commensurate with the grading of the post which may be determined from time to time.

Birmingham Airport reserves the right to vary the duties and responsibilities of employees, and that the above duties may be changed as the future needs of the business require.

At Birmingham Airport our ambition is to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity. 

Birmingham Airport is an equal opportunities employer and warmly welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Agile working options are available for some roles.

We offer an unbeatable opportunity to gain experience in a fast-paced operational environment with the opportunity of advancement within the section. If you are ready for the challenge, please click 'Apply Online' to complete an application.

We reserve the right to close advert early depending on applications received 

Please note: If you do not hear from us withing 14 days of the closing date, please presume that you have not been selected for this role. 

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to give you feedback.

Our Story

Birmingham Airport is the UK’s seventh largest with 30 airlines serving over 120 destinations direct and onwards to over 400. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic 13m customers a year flew in and out of BHX. Going forward we project growth to more than 18m customers a year by 2033 – by which time we will be connected to central London by HS2 trains in just 37 minutes and aim to have become a net zero carbon airport.

Our purpose is: Proud of Every Journey. That means everyone at the airport and the 100 organisations operating on the airport site, taking pride in getting customers safely, punctually, and comfortably from A to B.

By creating a kind, values-driven environment where everyone feels empowered to bring their best to work, we will retain and develop our people – and deliver on our purpose. Our seven pillars, Growth, Customer, Neighbour, Efficiency, People, Safety & Security and Carbon, support the strategic output of the company.

Our values – Curious, Dedicated, Inclusive, Respectful & Supportive guide how our colleagues treat each other as we serve customers with safety & security as our top priority.

About the role

Summary

*PLEASE NOTE THIS ROLE IS A SHIFT BASED ROLE INCLUDING DAY AND NIGHT SHIFTS TO COVER A 24/7 ROSTER*

Reporting to the Security Duty Managers, through strategic planning, you will be responsible for the efficient and most effective management of resource within the Security Department.  

Your key focus will be to deliver the operational daily plan for the Passenger Search Area and Remote Screening Room, using available resource, to elevate standards and drive performance.

You will assume responsibility for the first line operational decision maker for Security related incidents and co-ordinate resource to effectively respond to such incidents.   

You will be the facilitator for the operational team to achieve the required targets, in areas such as compliance, throughput, customer satisfaction and staff welfare. You will be accountable for operational performance, in line with the Security Continuous Improvement strategy and overall business purpose to be “proud of every journey”. You will actively evolve and support the implementation of an efficient, structured team operating model within the Passenger Search Area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead by example consistently demonstrating high standards of professional conduct and fostering a positive culture that supports a fair and consistent working environment. 
• Undertake a supervisory facilitation role to support the tasks and activities of the Lane Performance Supervisors, Security Training Teams to achieve department targets.
• To effectively communicate, and engage with relevant parties, in a timely manner, to share pertinent information using multiple communication methods.
• To be accountable for own actions, to promote and deliver a fair, consistent, and balanced approach when making decisions.
• To be accountable for and achieve, through competent planning and delivery, agreed departmental targets for average queue time, staff welfare, throughputs, and compliance.
• To ensure staffing of the security lanes and Remote Screening Room is optimised to achieve maximum throughput, maintain compliance targets, and reduce lost time through effective planning of rotation and breaks.
• To promote and drive the daily focus on operational performance, actively engaging with continuous improvement initiatives and using data and available tools (BLIP, CCTV, Incent) to inform decision making.
• To consistently deliver a high standard of customer service to internal and external parties to ensure that relationships are maintained and that the Airport reputation and credibility is strong. 
• Ensure the operational team are working in a safe manner, promoting a positive safety culture, encouraging reporting of near misses, and actively addressing any unsafe working, using available reporting systems.
• To co-ordinate emergency response to incidents such as security breaches, fire evacuations, un-attended items, mixing of arriving and departing passenger etc.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous experience supervising a large, diverse team in an operational environment.
• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to prioritise conflicting demands without loss of quality and standards.
• Previous data analysis and planning experience in an operational, time pressured environment.
• Strong IT skills to include proficient use of computer software e.g. Microsoft Office.
• Previous experience co-ordinating responses to emergency situations to include report writing.
• Engaging, dynamic and confident communicator with well-developed interpersonal skills including the ability to persuasively influence and manage people, exercising authority appropriately.