Aviation Recruitment Manager

Award-winning aviation recruitment experts, Optime Group, are looking for a Recruitment Manager to lead from the front and take ownership of recruitment delivery in Gatwick.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll continue to recruit at a high standard while managing and developing a team of recruiters, setting the pace, removing blockers and ensuring we deliver for our clients, every time.

What’s on offer

• £35,000 per annum, plus permanence-related bonuses
• Monday to Friday
• 8:30am–5pm
• Office-based (UB7)
• 30 days holiday, plus an extra day for your birthday
• Company pension
• Free parking

Key duties

• Lead from the front
• Recruit candidates directly into live aviation roles, setting the standard for quality and pace
• Carry personal recruitment responsibility alongside team leadership
• Own delivery
• Manage and support a team of recruiters, setting clear priorities, expectations and deadlines
• Work to tight timelines to ensure maximum fulfilment of bookings
• Identify issues early and take action before they impact delivery
• Raise standards
• Ensure candidate quality and suitability remain consistently high
• Reduce attrition through strong engagement and accurate role matching
• Build strong client partnerships
• Liaise with clients to manage expectations, provide clear updates and maximise upsell opportunities
• Take ownership of recruitment outcomes across your accounts
• Create smooth onboarding
• Oversee onboarding activity to ensure candidates are fully ready for day one
• Work closely with internal payroll and referencing teams to deliver a seamless candidate experience

Requirements

• Strong track record in high-volume recruitment, preferably within the airport or aviation sector
• Experience leading and managing teams
• Confident balancing hands-on recruitment with people and delivery responsibility
• Commercially aware, organised and comfortable working at pace
• Clear communicator who leads through action and accountability
• Educated to A-level standard or equivalent
• Proven ability to deliver excellent customer service to both clients and candidates
• Confident IT user, comfortable working across multiple systems and platforms
• This role requires travel between sites; therefore, a valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are required

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys responsibility, takes pride in delivery, and wants to step up into a leadership role without losing the buzz of recruitment.

Apply today to be considered for the opportunity to join Optime and play a key role in delivering high-quality aviation recruitment.