Capability Development Consultant

Salary: £48,000 up to £50,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: FTC 12 months, Full-time, Hybrid min 2 days in the office per week.

Security Level: BPSS

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The Organisational Capability Consultant plays a key role in enabling the organisation to build and sustain the capabilities required to deliver its strategic objectives. This role provides subject matter expertise and operational leadership across core areas of organisational capability, including performance management, talent cycles, and leadership and management competencies.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, Strategic People Partners, and the Talent Board, the postholder will ensure that the organisation has a coherent and integrated approach to identifying, developing, and retaining talent. The role will also support the embedding of core and leadership competencies into people processes and performance frameworks, helping to drive a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous development.

Core Accountabilities

Performance Management

• Support the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of performance management frameworks.
• Ensure performance processes are embedded across the organisation and aligned with strategic goals.
• Provide guidance and tools to managers to enable effective performance conversations and feedback

Talent Cycles

• Manage annual talent processes including talent mapping, succession planning, and high-potential identification.
• Collaborate with Strategic People Partners and the Talent Board to ensure talent data informs workforce planning.
• Monitor and report on talent pipeline health and readiness for critical roles.

Leadership and Management Capability

• Embed leadership and management competencies into recruitment, development, and performance processes.
• Build a leadership development curriculum to enhance leadership capability and succession.
• Support the development of leadership pathways and frameworks aligned to organisational needs.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure leadership capability is built consistently across levels.

Competency Frameworks

• Maintain and evolve core behavioural competency frameworks.
• Ensure competencies are integrated into job design, performance, and development planning.
• Provide tools and resources to support managers and employees in applying competencies effectively.

Decision Making

• Makes decisions on the design and implementation of performance and capability frameworks.
• Determines priorities for talent cycle activities and succession planning.
• Recommends strategic interventions to build organisational capability.
• Builds credibility as a subject matter expert in organisational capability.

Influencing Others

• Influences senior leaders and the Talent Board on capability strategy and talent priorities.
• Partners with Strategic People Partners to embed capability frameworks across the organisation.
• Builds credibility as a subject matter expert in organisational capability.

Managing others

• Provide matrix leadership to capability-related roles or project team

About You

Essential

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with leadership development and succession planning tools.
• Strong understanding of performance management and competency frameworks.
• Ability to manage cyclical talent processes and interpret talent data.
• Experience in organisational development, talent management.

Desirable

• Experience in a regulated environment
• CIPD qualification or equivalent

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit – BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 10th February 2026

Interview Date: 25th and 26th February 2026 in person.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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