/ Position: FBO Manager
/ Location: Glasgow
/ Reporting to: Head of FBOs
/ Working Hours: Full-Time, 40 Hours per week
- Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits!
- Lead a high-performing team in a dynamic, client-focused aviation environment!
- Drive strategic growth and operational excellence in a leading FBO!
- Opportunities for personal and professional development in a fast-paced and rewarding role!
- Shape a premium client experience while championing safety and compliance!
- For more details, read on!
Gama Aviation is currently seeking a confident, commercially minded and customer-focused FBO Manager to lead our Fixed Base Operation in Glasgow.
This is a high-impact leadership position where you will oversee all aspects of FBO operations, both airside and landside, from service delivery, client experience and team performance to safety, security, budget management and business growth.
As FBO Manager, you will lead the FBO and Client Experience team to deliver safe, efficient and exceptional services to clients, crew, VIPs and visitors. You will play a key role in embedding our client-centric culture and driving continuous improvement, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of hospitality, operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
Supporting the Head of FBOs, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the FBO lounge, ramp and handling activities, staff coordination, supplier relationships and commercial performance. You will also contribute to accurate revenue capture, support business growth initiatives and participate in out-of-hours callout duties when required.
We are seeking an experienced aviation professional with a strong operational background and a passion for premium service. You will have a hands-on leadership style, commercial awareness and a proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams.
/ About us:
Gama Aviation is a hugely diverse business that offers much more than perhaps its name would suggest. Yes, we fly but we also save lives, provide mission critical intelligence, and build systems that deliver decisive advantage.
With operations in the UK, Jersey, Europe and the Middle East, a career with us can offer travel, personal growth opportunities and the ability for long-term progression in a fast paced and dynamic service industry.
/ Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage all day-to-day FBO operations, both airside and landside, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient service delivery
- Drive a client experience culture across the FBO, ensuring consistently high standards of hospitality, professionalism and communication
- Act as the primary point of contact for clients, crew, VIPs, airport authorities, suppliers and third-party service providers
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the FBO lounge and ensure readiness for all aircraft movements
- Coordinate staff rosters to ensure appropriate coverage across all operational requirements
- Lead, motivate and develop the FBO team through effective performance management, coaching and annual appraisals
- Manage training requirements, ensuring all training remains current and the base training matrix is maintained
- Develop, implement and continuously improve FBO procedures, standards and strategies
- Maintain ownership of the FBO Operations Manual and ensure compliance with the Aviation Security Programme and all applicable regulatory requirements
- Promote a strong safety culture through the Safety Management System (SMS)
- Ensure local risk assessments, safe systems of work and safety procedures are current, fit for purpose and reviewed regularly
- Represent the base at safety meetings and conduct safety observations to drive continuous improvement
- Drive aviation security compliance in line with CAA and airport standards, including training as an Aviation Ground Security Supervisor (GSS)
- Ensure customer aircraft movements are effectively planned and coordinated
- Oversee usage and develop a detailed understanding of Air Ops software
- Maintain positive relationships with customers, suppliers and stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement
- Manage ramp operations, ensuring all ground handling procedures are carried out safely and efficiently
- Perform ground handling activities when required, including aircraft movements, fuelling, pushbacks, marshalling and GSE operations
- Ensure operational efficiency through effective resource management and cost optimisation
- Maintain full P&L ownership, including budgeting, forecasting, invoicing and expense management
- Develop and implement strategies to grow market share, secure new business opportunities and maximise FBO revenues
- Provide regular updates to senior management on incidents, departmental performance, budgets and operational priorities
- Support out-of-hours operations and provide shift coverage when required
/ Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:
Essential
- Extensive experience within FBO and/or ground handling operations
- Proven experience managing operational teams in a fast-paced environment
- Strong leadership and performance management capabilities
- Excellent commercial awareness with experience in budgeting, forecasting and P&L management
- In-depth knowledge of ground handling procedures, staff rostering and operational planning
- Demonstrated ability to drive business performance and cost optimisation
- Experience delivering exceptional, 5-star customer service
- Strong knowledge of national and international aviation regulations and their impact on operational requirements
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships across operational and professional boundaries
- Experience managing complex operational issues and high-pressure situations
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the flexibility to work the hours required to support operational demands
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively
- A highly motivated people person with excellent interpersonal skills
- Full valid driving licence
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid airside security pass
Advantageous
- Previous experience in a similar role within the business aviation industry
- Meticulous on safety and security compliance
- Experience in business plan development and execution
- Demonstrated experience in managing flight operations and general ground handling activities
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities
- Learning and development experience with a passion for developing others
/ In addition to a Competitive Salary, we will offer you:
- Competitive Group Pension Scheme
- Comprehensive Life Assurance *
- Comprehensive Income Protection *
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance *
- Comprehensive Private Healthcare (after successful passing of probation) *
- Free Car Parking
- 2 Paid Volunteering Days each calendar year (subject to line manager approval)
- Investment in Training, Qualifications and Professional Development
*(Subject to insurance underwriting)
Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 20 working days then your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.