General Secretary - Aviation Employment Relations
Type: Permanent
Location: Near Haywards Heath (Hybrid working available)
Part time: 3 days per week
Role Overview:
We are seeking a General Secretary with strong diplomacy, negotiation, and leadership skills to oversee member support, representation, and organisational operations within an aviation employment context. The role combines advocacy, strategic responsibility, and day-to-day leadership, ensuring members are effectively supported while the organisation operates in line with UK employment law and regulatory requirements.
This position requires a proactive and responsive individual who can manage complex matters, represent members at a senior level, and contribute to the effective governance and growth of the organisation.
This role will particularly appeal to ex-pilots or candidates with experience in employment relations and/or a legal background who are not currently practising, and who are interested in applying their knowledge in a representative and advisory capacity within the aviation sector.
Key Responsibilities:
- Represent and support members in disciplinary, grievance, misconduct, and capability proceedings.
- Represent and support members at Employment Tribunals.
- Lead negotiations on behalf of members regarding pay, terms, and conditions of employment.
- Promote the organisation within the aviation industry and support membership growth.
- Support the Executive Committee in fulfilling its legal and organisational responsibilities.
- Act as a key point of contact for urgent and complex member issues, including out-of-hours matters where required.
Candidate Profile:
- Strong diplomacy, negotiation, and communication skills (verbal and written).
- Knowledge of UK employment law and the aviation sector is desirable.
- Understanding of aviation operations and/or pilot experience is advantageous.
- Experience in employment relations, industrial relations, HR, or a legal background (non-practising welcome).
- Ability to handle complex cases and represent individuals at a senior level.
- Strong organisational and leadership skills with attention to detail.
- Confidence working independently and making sound judgements under pressure.
- Proficient in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Willingness to travel as required, including overnight stays.
- Flexibility to work outside normal hours when necessary.
- Full UK driving licence required.
