Job Summary: Airport Operations Policy & Process Specialist

Virgin Atlantic is seeking a specialist to join their Airport Operations Policy & Procedures team based at their headquarters (VHQ) in Crawley. This is a critical, centrally-located role that acts as the bridge between high-level aviation regulations and the practical, daily “above and below wing” operations at airports globally.

You will be part of a small, expert team responsible for the manuals and “rulebooks” that ensure Virgin Atlantic operates safely, legally, and consistently across the world.

Key Responsibilities

1. Policy Development & Manual Governance

Technical Writing: Draft, update, and govern airport manuals and controlled documents. You’ll ensure version control is air-tight and audit trails are ready for regulatory inspections.
Simplification: Translate complex national and international aviation regulations into simple, actionable guidance for frontline airport staff.
Continuous Improvement: Use station feedback and compliance data to identify operational gaps and update procedures to bridge them.

2. Compliance & Safety Monitoring

Audit Support: Identify risks through internal audits and compliance monitoring.
Cross-Functional Partnering: Collaborate with Safety, Training, and Airport Operations teams to ensure that new policies are not just compliant, but physically deliverable by the teams on the ground.
Business Continuity: Help develop and maintain procedures that allow the airline to keep moving during operational disruptions or emergencies.

3. Operational Exposure & Projects

Project Ownership: Lead specific workstreams and cross-operational projects aimed at improving global efficiency.
Connectivity: Regularly visit London Heathrow (LHR) to stay “operationally grounded” and connected to the physical airport environment.

Role Details & Pay

Salary: Competitive (Market data suggests Specialist roles in this domain at Virgin Atlantic typically range from £35,000 – £48,000 depending on experience).
Location: VHQ, Crawley (RH10 9DF).
Work Pattern: Hybrid — 3 days per week onsite (LHR, MAN, or VHQ), but must include Tuesdays at VHQ.
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday).
Closing Date: 19th March 2026.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Experience:

Airport Grounding: Practical experience in below-wing operations (ramp, baggage, loading) and ideally above-wing (check-in, boarding, gate).
Safety Mindset: A clear understanding of safety and compliance protocols within a high-stakes airport environment.
Communication: The ability to “manage up”—briefing senior leaders and providing technical guidance with confidence.

Technical Skills:

Exceptional attention to detail (essential for document control).
Strong written communication skills.
Ability to handle shifting priorities under pressure.

The Virgin Atlantic “Leadership Recipe”

Virgin Atlantic evaluates all staff, especially specialists, against their “Leadership Recipe”—a set of 20 ingredients designed to move the company toward being the “most loved travel company.” Key themes include:

Entrepreneurship: Challenging the status quo in how procedures are written.
Purposeful Leadership: Acting with care, clarity, and conviction.
Individuality: Embracing the “Be Yourself” culture.

Diversity & Inclusion Facts (UK Aviation Sector)

Virgin Atlantic voluntarily publishes its pay gap data to drive transparency.

Workforce Profile: As of 2025, approximately 44% of Virgin Atlantic’s leadership roles are held by women.
The “Pilot Gap”: The airline’s gender pay gap is significantly influenced by the pilot workforce (where only 6% are women, mirroring the wider UK aviation trend).
Ethnicity Pay Gap: Virgin reported a median ethnicity pay gap of 13.8% (2022 baseline), primarily driven by higher ethnic minority representation in entry-level roles compared to senior management and flight deck positions.

Application Tip: Think “Frontline First”

When writing your application, don’t just focus on your ability to write documents.

Prove Operational Grounding: Use a specific example of an operational challenge you faced “on the ramp” or “at the gate” and explain how a better process could have solved it.
Audit Awareness: If you have ever participated in a CAA audit or an internal safety review, highlight your role in preparing documentation.

The “Tuesday Rule”: Mention your availability for the mandatory Tuesday VHQ requirement. In a hybrid world, showing commitment to the “anchor day” is a subtle but effective way to demonstrate reliability.

Virgin Atlantic is a premier British long-haul airline that has redefined the travel experience since its founding by Richard Branson in 1984. While its primary flight hubs are London Heathrow and Manchester, the heart of the company is located in Crawley, West Sussex. As of 2026, the airline has transitioned into a new era of growth and sustainability under the leadership of CEO Corneel Koster, who took the helm in January 2026.

The VHQ: A Global Command Center

Located in the Manor Royal Business District, The VHQ (Virgin Headquarters) is the central nerve center for the airline’s global operations. It is not a typical corporate office; it reflects the brand’s vibrant “Think Red” personality.

Core Functions: The VHQ houses executive leadership, international strategy, flight planning, crew scheduling, and marketing.
Design & Innovation: It is also the base for the airline’s award-winning Customer Experience and Inflight Services teams, who design everything from the “Upper Class” cabin interiors to the seasonal menus.
Proximity: Its location (RH10 9DF) is just 3 miles from London Gatwick Airport, allowing for seamless coordination between corporate strategy and frontline airport operations.

Key Company Highlights (2026)

Feature	Details
Headquarters	The VHQ, Fleming Way, Crawley, RH10 9DF
Ownership	Virgin Group (51%) and Delta Air Lines (49%)
Alliance	Member of SkyTeam (providing global connectivity)
2026 Milestone	Launch of daily service to Seoul, South Korea (March 2026)
Sustainability	Target: 15% gross CO2 reduction by 2026; Net Zero by 2050
Fleet Age	One of the youngest in the sky (avg. under 7 years)

Culture and “The Virgin Way”

The culture at Virgin Atlantic is built on being “Brilliantly Different.” In 2026, the company continues to champion individuality through its “Be Yourself” manifesto, which famously removed gendered uniform requirements and allowed visible tattoos for all staff.

Core Values: * Think Red: Hunting for new ways to innovate and “change the game.”
- Make Friends: Celebrating individuality and building trust with empathy.
- Be Amazing: Obsessing over the small details that create grand gestures.
Purpose: To be the “most loved travel company,” focusing on “Purposeful Leadership” where every employee is empowered to act like a captain.

Sustainability: “Our Line in the Sand”

By 2026, Virgin Atlantic has solidified its position as a leader in decarbonization.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Following the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight in 2023, the airline is on track to use 10% SAF by 2030.
Fleet Modernization: In Q3 2026, the airline begins taking deliveries of new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, which are 11% more fuel-efficient and 50% quieter than the models they replace.
Waste Reduction: The airline has successfully removed or replaced over 90% of single-use plastics by weight from its inflight service.

Working at Virgin Atlantic Crawley

The Crawley campus offers a unique working environment that blends corporate rigor with “Virgin flair.”

Career Areas: Roles at The VHQ range from Data Science and Digital Product Design to Sustainability Policy and Legal Services (home to a specialized team of aviation solicitors).
The Crawley Contact Centre: Also located in Crawley, this “family” handles complex bookings, Virgin Atlantic Holidays sales, and specialized passenger assistance.
Employee Benefits:
- Staff Travel: Renowned as some of the best in the industry, including up to seven heavily discounted flights per year after a 6-month qualifying period.
- “Learning Locker”: An on-demand digital platform for upskilling and career progression.
- Flexibility: A hybrid work model that values face-to-face collaboration at The VHQ while supporting personal wellbeing.
- Pension & Perks: Contributory pension, life insurance, and “Red Rewards” (exclusive discounts with premier retailers).

To apply for this job please visit careers.virginatlantic.com.