Principal Sustainability Policy

Salary: £52,143 up to £64,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

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 purpose of this role is to drive the delivery of the CAA’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy throughout the CAA supporting critical programmes and functions such as airspace modernisation and the Heathrow price control. This will involve working across the CAA to assess and develop new policies and approaches to achieve better environmental outcomes. Working closely with government departments, industry and academia, the role will play an active part in driving forward the work the CAA needs to do to enable the industry to meet the UK’s environmental ambitions including the Net Zero 2050 target.

Core Accountabilities

Policy and legislation

• Developing sustainability policies within the Sustainability Team on matters such as consumer information, zero emission flight, non-CO2, noise and air quality, and supporting other CAA teams where relevant to ensure sustainability is considered in policy development.
• Work closely with cross CAA teams including Airspace modernisation, Heathrow price control, NATS price control to support/challenge and embed a progressive/ambitious approach to sustainability issues. E.g. Defining and implementing the 4th AMS objective and supporting the design of environmental outcome incentives for Heathrow.
• Support the sustainability strategy and internal reporting of progress of the CAA’s wider sustainability programme.

Stakeholder engagement

• Build and manage key stakeholder relationships, including CAA colleagues and leadership team, government, academia, technical experts, industry and international entities to build understanding of sustainability issues across the CAA, including Net Zero and noise, and air quality.
• Support external engagement activities including community engagement.

About You

• Essential clear strategic policy thinking on a range of complex and challenging problems, ideally within an environmental, aviation and/or regulatory context.
• Essential ability to design, develop and implement complex, controversial policy proposals, showing critical thinking, drive and organisational abilities aligned with the CAA values.
• Experience of drafting clear, concise briefing notes and position papers for dissemination throughout the CAA and externally.
• Knowledge of public policy approach to sustainability issues and aviation’s carbon impacts.
• Strong experience of stakeholder engagement, including working closely with and challenging external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and engagement skills with an ability to influence at all levels.

The post-holder will embody the CAA’s core values of Do the Right Thing; Never Stop Learning; Build Collaborate Relationships; and Respect Everyone. They will also be committed to delivering the CAA strategy and our team goals.

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: 26th February 2026

Interview Date: w/c 9th March 2026

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.

Read Full Description