Rulemaking Lead

Salary: £55,000 – £63,000

Contract Type: Permanent Full Time

Location: Gatwick / Hybrid: Regular office attendance expected to be at least 50% a week subject to business needs

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

Security Level: CTC

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 we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 3 years. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application. For more information on CTC clearance please visit – Vetting explained – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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 Policy, Regulation and Rulemaking function is part of the Communications, Strategy and Policy Group at the CAA. You will be working closely with internal specialists and engaging externally, which includes the policy team subject matter experts, lawyers, economists, IT and communication specialists, Government officials and industry stakeholders. You will be the prime subject matter expert on all aviation related policy and rulemaking activity (generally related to aviation safety), reporting to Rulemaking and Legislation Manager, leading the coordination of the activities of the Rulemaking Project Managers, and ensuring effective delivery of rulemaking and policy programme.

Key Accountabilities

• Maintain positive and collaborative working relationship with colleagues across CAA and the DfT.
• Provide regulations and rulemaking guidance, support, and technical direction to the policy and rulemaking teams, reporting to Rulemaking and Legislation Manager.
• Leading the coordination and delivery of CAA and DfT regulations and rulemaking programme in collaboration with Rulemaking Project Managers, policy, and subject matter specialists.
• Maintain and seek opportunities for improvements to the rulemaking procedures and process with regular reviews of ongoing compliance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the CAA Engagement Strategy on Policy and Rulemaking.
• Update and deliver rulemaking training material to CAA colleagues.
• Prepare and quality assure material for the Aviation Legislation and Policy Sponsorship Group and the DfT Legislation Board.
• Represent the UK CAA view on policy, regulations, rulemaking and pertinent topics at various strategy and policy meetings and provide technical update on rulemaking activities.
• Ensure the preferred option for all policy and rulemaking tasks is clearly defined by lead SME, achievable and supported by both DfT and CAA.
• Ensure holistic visibility of the status of all policy and rulemaking tasks across CAA.
• Lead specific projects, as required.
• Maintain awareness of aviation current affairs (UK aviation priorities, CAA strategic objectives as well as aviation consumer, safety, and security issues) and ensure these is reflected in CAA rulemaking processes.
• Liaise with the Strategy, Prioritisation, Planning and Resourcing team (SPPR) to develop cohesive business objectives for rulemaking.
• Ensure tracking of international (i.e. ICAO) amendments requiring UK rulemaking action.
• Inform, influence, and collaborate with teams across CAA regarding policy and rulemaking activities in line with all CAA values.
• Proactively resolve current rulemaking risks to ensure resources, multidisciplinary technical activities and rulemaking options are addressed.
• Deputise for Rulemaking and Legislation Manager.

About You

You will have knowledge of UK Parliament and Government machinery structure, legislation development processes, procedures, and method of operations. You have delivered specialist advice and led coordination and delivery of the legislation and/or regulations programmes.

Essential Criteria

• Experienced strategist with a focus on good governance, effective engagement and influencing.
• Strong ability to challenge information, propositions or assumptions often of a deep technical nature and across a range of disciplines.
• Holistic programme delivery: Demonstrated success in proposing effective holistic solutions and delivering successful outcomes.
• Broad understanding of the strategic business issues facing CAA.
• Knowledge of UK Parliament and Government machinery structure, legislation/policy making process.
• Knowledge of international aviation.
• Proven knowledge of the development of aviation solutions and/or regulations at a technical level.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships, work effectively with others, and influence stakeholders.
• Skilled in translating complex, specialist issues into clear language for broader business and political contexts.
• Experience in identifying synergies across different technical problems/tasks leading to effective delivery solutions.
• Experienced in ensuring consistency and accuracy in organisational procedures, processes and policies, with awareness of wider policy implications.
• Ability to cope concurrently with high number of widely differing problems, with the appropriate level of input.
• Capable of making timely decisions.
• Confidently able to identify when to refer or escalate issues to a higher level.
• Ability to maintain momentum and guide task delivery by identifying opportunities and removing barriers, rather than focusing solely on problems.
• Adept at resolving complex issues and simplifying the delivery of effective solutions.

Desirable Criteria

• EASA rulemaking experience and/or ICAO Standards and Recommended Practice development (or similar).
• Awareness of aviation current affairs.

Relocation & Property – The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House, Our Gatwick/Crawley Office. We are currently working to understand our needs before we start our property search, which is expected to be within a 15 mile radius of our current base, but we do not expect to move before

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.

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: 29 Dec 2025

Interview Date: WC 12 January 2026

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.

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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