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

Madrid, SpainOn-site

Responsibilities

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.
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.
Manage operational budgets and cost control initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
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.
Support infrastructure development, facility improvements, and capital investment projects.

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.
experience leading multi-site operations across regions and different countries.
Experience managing budgets and operational performance metrics.
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.

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.
People Leadership Lead, coach, and develop operational managers and local leadership teams.
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.
Contribute to business development planning and regional growth strategies.
Safety, Compliance & Quality Ensure full compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.