Overview

Administration & Finance Manager and Company Secretary at CHIRP. This is a strategic and delivery-focused senior leadership role responsible for CHIRP’s Human Factors safety programme in Aviation. You will lead an excellent team of specialists to deliver and expand our confidential safety reporting programme. As a member of the charity’s leadership team, you will support the Executive Director in the wider leadership of the charity.

The role requires the ability to think and act strategically whilst also managing the day-to-day requirements of a confidential reporting service, including receiving and responding to reports.

How to apply

Please review the below information and if you wish to apply, forward your CV and a covering letter to recruit@chirp.co.uk by 16:00 on Monday 13th October 2025. First interview online on Thursday 23rd October. Second interview in person in London on Monday 3rd November. For a further discussion about the role, contact Liz Hughes 07766 461724 or liz.hughes@chirp.co.uk.

About CHIRP

CHIRP’s mission is to promote a just culture by providing a safety voice for every individual working in our target sectors, and by facilitating safety coalitions to influence enhanced practices and standards by companies, regulators, umbrella organisations and Flag States. CHIRP operates in Aviation and Maritime, receiving and considering reports that might not otherwise be submitted, analysing data to identify issues and trends, and disseminating safety-related reports for public benefit. The organisation seeks synergies between Aviation and Maritime programmes and focuses on evolving technology and data analysis to reach a wider and more diverse audience.

Charity structure: CHIRP is a membership organisation with a Board of up to 12 Trustees and an Executive team of paid staff and consultants. The programme teams are supported by Advisory Boards comprising subject matter experts who provide advice on issues raised through the confidential reporting process.

Core responsibilities

1. Lead, deliver and develop a high-impact confidential aviation reporting service aligning with the charity’s strategic objectives, values and priorities.

2. Build on CHIRP’s external stakeholder network to influence safety in the aviation industry, pursuing research, collaboration and partnerships where feasible and staying informed of industry changes.

3. Work with the Comms Lead to promote CHIRP’s services and disseminate safety-related reports to promote insight, learning and improvement; produce content for a range of channels, some of which the postholder will create.

4. Line manage the programme team, ensure performance plans, drive excellence and accountability, and support professional development.

5. Provide oversight of the reporting process and undertake direct processing of reports when required.

6. Oversee evolution of new programmes in Advanced Air Mobility and Space, maintaining momentum and realistic delivery targets.

7. Lead Advisory Board membership and processes, ensuring relevant participation and recruitment of new members and Chairs as needed.

8. Participate in the charity’s leadership team supporting the Executive Director in delivering strategy and priorities.

9. Collaborate with the leadership team to ensure efficient use of shared resources, including a move toward greater IT automation and improved report management processes.

10. Build synergies with the maritime programme through the Maritime Director to strengthen HF safety in aviation and maritime industries.

11. Lead the development of the aviation sections of the budget and operational plan and work with the Executive Director to fundraise for this area.

12. Maintain the CHIRP relationship with the CAA ensuring contract delivery meets expectations and supports regulatory influence.

13. Support accountability to donors with written and verbal reporting as required, maintaining regular contact with donor counterparts.

14. Research, develop and deliver projects in new sector areas in line with the charity’s strategy and donor agreements.

15. Ensure monitoring and reporting of the impact of the aviation programme.

16. Attend other organisational meetings as requested.

Person specification

Essential

• An experienced pilot with professional aviation experience
• Knowledge and experience of safety management and human factors principles and systems
• Proven leadership skills and experience
• Ability to develop effective relationships with stakeholders across the aviation sector
• Diplomatic and tactful communication, able to articulate concerns persuasively at executive levels
• Adept with MS Office 365 and related tools
• Experience in initiating and managing change, and engaging others through change
• Experience in risk management
• Budgeting and planning experience
• Ability to meet deadlines and respond in a timely manner
• Adept at managing a varied workload while setting targets and expectations

Desirable

• Experience in General Aviation is highly desirable
• Knowledge of Air Mobility or Space
• Experience of working with volunteers

Key terms and conditions

The Director Aviation role is anticipated to be equivalent to 4 full days each week (28 hours excluding lunch), managed flexibly depending on the number of reports and diary commitments. Location: Home-based within the South of England to facilitate regular travel to meetings. Contract: Substantive. Responsible to: Executive Director. Responsible for: Programme Managers (staff and contractors); potential new position of General Aviation & ATC Programme Manager. Pension: Contribution to a stakeholder pension equivalent to 8% of salary. Annual leave: 29 days inclusive of bank holidays.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

CHIRP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and actively seeks to engage employees, trustees, members and supporters from diverse backgrounds to promote inclusion and diversity in aviation and maritime.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing
• Industries: Non-profit Organisations