Senior Operations Controller
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Job Summary
The Senior Operations Controller holds fleet-wide oversight of live operations acting as the supervisory layer between the Operations Controller team and senior management. An expert practitioner across all Operations Controller competencies the role is responsible for the quality and consistency of operational outputs leading and mentoring the team and making confident well-reasoned decisions across the full scope of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
Perform all Operations Controller duties to an expert standard acting as the primary reference point for the team on all operational matters
Maintain fleet-wide situational awareness across all live operations overseeing all aircraft movements rather than managing individual aircraft
Act as the primary focal point in the operations room - the first point of escalation when operational problems arise
Quality-check operational decisions and outputs across the team identifying and correcting issues before they escalate (e.g. flight plan routing airport selection cost efficiency)
Oversight of pre and post-flight documentation checks ensuring compliance standards are maintained consistently across the team
Ensure Operations Controllers understand and remain compliant with all current procedures and any changes as they are issued
Receive and action project handoffs from HOGO / Deputy Head translating these into operational plans for the Operations Controller team
Manage aircraft sensor configuration - maintaining accurate records of sensor fi ts and uploading updated aircraft profiles to flight planning software following any configuration change
Present the daily company-wide operational briefing (Monday to Friday) providing a situational overview of the days operations and coordinating handovers to other departments
Support the training and mentoring of Operations Controllers aiding their development and ensuring the team performs to the required standard
Lead motivate and maintain a positive team culture within the Operations Controller team
Provide on-call support to Operations Controllers during shift lead periods
Escalate operational issues to the Operations leadership team where situations require management-level intervention
Maintain fleet-wide situational awareness across all live operations overseeing all aircraft movements rather than managing individual aircraft
Act as the primary focal point in the operations room - the first point of escalation when operational problems arise
Quality-check operational decisions and outputs across the team identifying and correcting issues before they escalate (e.g. flight plan routing airport selection cost efficiency)
Oversight of pre and post-flight documentation checks ensuring compliance standards are maintained consistently across the team
Ensure Operations Controllers understand and remain compliant with all current procedures and any changes as they are issued
Receive and action project handoffs from HOGO / Deputy Head translating these into operational plans for the Operations Controller team
Manage aircraft sensor configuration - maintaining accurate records of sensor fi ts and uploading updated aircraft profiles to flight planning software following any configuration change
Present the daily company-wide operational briefing (Monday to Friday) providing a situational overview of the days operations and coordinating handovers to other departments
Support the training and mentoring of Operations Controllers aiding their development and ensuring the team performs to the required standard
Lead motivate and maintain a positive team culture within the Operations Controller team
Provide on-call support to Operations Controllers during shift lead periods
Escalate operational issues to the Operations leadership team where situations require management-level intervention
Skills Knowledge & Expertise
Private Pilot Licence (PPL) preferred; candidates currently undertaking a PPL or holding an equivalent aviation qualification will be considered
Prior experience as an Operations Controller or in an equivalent operational aviation role is required
Some supervisory or leadership experience is advantageous but not essential; candidates who can demonstrate readiness to step into a leadership role will be considered
Strong computer literacy; the role is primarily office-based and requires confidence with digital tools and platforms
Expert-level knowledge across all Operations Controller competencies
Fleet-wide situational awareness and ability to manage multiple aircraft movements simultaneously
Operational quality assurance - identifying errors ineffi ciencies and risks across team outputs
Clear and confident communication including presenting to a company-wide audience
Team supervision on-the-job training and mentoring
Aircraft configuration management and flight planning software proficiency
Sound operational decision-making with the ability to act independently and justify decisions clearly
Prior experience as an Operations Controller or in an equivalent operational aviation role is required
Some supervisory or leadership experience is advantageous but not essential; candidates who can demonstrate readiness to step into a leadership role will be considered
Strong computer literacy; the role is primarily office-based and requires confidence with digital tools and platforms
Expert-level knowledge across all Operations Controller competencies
Fleet-wide situational awareness and ability to manage multiple aircraft movements simultaneously
Operational quality assurance - identifying errors ineffi ciencies and risks across team outputs
Clear and confident communication including presenting to a company-wide audience
Team supervision on-the-job training and mentoring
Aircraft configuration management and flight planning software proficiency
Sound operational decision-making with the ability to act independently and justify decisions clearly
Behavioural and Leadership Competency
Confident decision-maker - able to assess a situation act decisively and stand by decisions with clear justification without needing prior approval
Ready to take on supervisory responsibility and lead others not just perform the role individually
Leads by example setting the operational standard for the team through their own conduct
Motivates and actively maintains a positive team culture even under pressure
A trusted source of knowledge - the person the team turns to for guidance mentorship and answers
Safety-first mindset with the confidence to challenge decisions that do not meet the required standard
Ambitious and looking to grow - sees this role as a deliberate step in their leadership journey
Ready to take on supervisory responsibility and lead others not just perform the role individually
Leads by example setting the operational standard for the team through their own conduct
Motivates and actively maintains a positive team culture even under pressure
A trusted source of knowledge - the person the team turns to for guidance mentorship and answers
Safety-first mindset with the confidence to challenge decisions that do not meet the required standard
Ambitious and looking to grow - sees this role as a deliberate step in their leadership journey
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
DEA and our sister company ESAO are a world leading specialist technology-led provider of complex aerial data acquisition services. A pioneer in airborne data gathering, DEA/ESAO use ground-breaking techniques and the most advanced and innovative technologies in the industry to help y ... View more
