Area Operations Leader - Commercial Aviation Training (CAT) EMEA South

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Area Operations Lead to provide leadership and operational oversight across multiple aviation training centres within the CAT South region.

The Area Operations Lead is accountable for delivering safe, efficient, and customer-focused pilot training operations while ensuring consistent standards, regulatory compliance, asset reliability, workforce capability, and financial performance across all assigned sites.

The successful candidate will lead local operations teams, drive operational excellence, support business growth, and act as a key partner to regional leadership and commercial stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead operational performance across multiple training centres in the CAT South region including, but not limited to, Spain & Italy.

Ensure delivery of safe, compliant, and efficient training operations.

Monitor and improve KPIs relating to customer experience, simulator utilisation, quality, and operational performance.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sites.

People Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop operational managers and local leadership teams.

Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Support workforce planning, succession planning, recruitment, and talent development.

Ensure consistent implementation of policies, processes, and best practices across all locations.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

Develop strong relationships with customers and strategic partners.

Act as a senior escalation point for operational issues.

Partner with various internal teams such as Sales, Training, Technical Operations, and Corporate Functions to ensure customer expectations are met.

Financial & Business Performance

Support achievement of revenue, profitability, and utilisation targets.

Manage operational budgets and cost control initiatives.

Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Contribute to business development planning and regional growth strategies.

Safety, Compliance & Quality

Ensure full compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.

Promote a proactive health and safety culture throughout the region.

Support audits, inspections, and corrective action programmes.

Ensure operational risks are identified and effectively managed.

Asset & Infrastructure Management

Oversee operational readiness of facilities and training assets.

Work closely with Technical Operations teams to maximise simulator availability and reliability.

Support infrastructure development, facility improvements, and capital investment projects.

Partner with internal procurement teams to drive, manage and improve upon vendor and landlord deals and relationships

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Significant experience leading multi-site operations across regions and different countries.

Demonstrated success managing geographically dispersed teams.

Strong operational management background within aviation, aerospace, pilot training, engineering, or a similarly regulated environment.

Experience managing budgets and operational performance metrics.

Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable

Aviation training or simulator operations experience.

Knowledge of EASA, UK CAA, FAA, or equivalent regulatory frameworks.

Experience supporting regional or international operations.

Degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Aviation, or a related discipline.

Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership

Operational Excellence

Change Management

Financial Acumen

Team Development

Customer Focus

Continuous Improvement

Stakeholder Management

Decision Making

Risk Management

Travel Requirements

Regular travel throughout the assigned region (approximately 25–50%).

About CAE

At CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, we’ve driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies, we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Join a purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration drives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success.

Position Type

Regular

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, nationality, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, age, or other characteristics protected by law. We encourage applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available - contact your recruiter or email CAECarrieres-Careers@cae.com if needed.

Data Privacy

Privacy Statement | CAE

As part of our process, we may use AI‑supported tools to help review applications, with human decision‑making at every step. CAE thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only those whose background and experience match the requirements of the role will be contacted.