Head of Defence Training Services

Fortress Recruit is working with a leading defence services business to appoint a Head of Defence Training Services, based in Shawbury.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for taking full ownership of a complex, safety-critical training operation within an aviation environment. You’ll lead a large, multidisciplinary workforce delivering air traffic control training, with accountability for performance, structure, culture, and commercial delivery.

This is not a technical training role - the focus is on leadership, transformation, and operational performance. The function requires restructuring, improved accountability, and a shift in culture, making this an ideal opportunity for a strong, decisive leader who can drive change in a challenging environment.

Key responsibilities include:

* Leading the end-to-end delivery of aviation training services, ensuring performance meets contractual and operational requirements

* Taking full ownership of the operational budget, including cost control, forecasting and financial performance

* Acting as the primary point of contact for senior defence stakeholders, managing relationships and expectations

* Driving improvements across service delivery, performance reporting and operational processes

* Leading and developing a large operational team, addressing performance, engagement and cultural challenges

* Restructuring the existing organisation to improve clarity, accountability and effectiveness

* Managing a unionised workforce, maintaining clear boundaries and effective working relationships

* Identifying and mitigating risks across delivery, people and commercial performance

* Leading continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, capability and customer outcomes

* Supporting major incident management as part of the leadership duty rota

To be considered for this role, you'll have:

* Significant senior leadership experience within a complex, operational or safety-critical environment

* Proven track record of managing large teams and delivering measurable performance improvement

* Experience operating within a commercial or contract-driven environment with full accountability for outcomes

* Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior-level customers

* Demonstrable experience of organisational redesign, transformation, or cultural change

* Experience working within or alongside unionised environments

* A confident, resilient leadership style with the ability to challenge, influence and drive accountability

* Commercial awareness and a clear understanding of business performance drivers

* Degree qualified or equivalent experience, with ongoing professional development in leadership or management

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile operational function that requires significant transformation. You’ll be trusted to reshape the structure, improve performance and build a more effective, commercially aligned operation within a critical defence environment.

On offer is a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus and attractive benefits package. This role is permanent, full-time 37 hours a week and based on-site in Shawbury, with UK travel and occasional international travel as required. Eligibility for Security Clearance is essential (5 years' UK residency without visa or sponsorship requirement).

For a confidential conversation or to request a full job description, please click apply to send your full CV to Becki