About Skyports
Founded in 2018, Skyports is an Advanced Air Mobility company developing and operating landing infrastructure for the electric air taxi revolution, as well as using drones for a variety of business requirements.
Our business is comprised of two entities.
Skyports Drone Services where we use drone technology to enable businesses to develop their logistics, capture key data, and improve operational efficiency. We are active in the rural deliveries, survey, surveillance and maritime verticals.
Skyports Infrastructure where we play a critical role in the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem; designing, building, owning, and operating vertiports that enable eVTOL operators to take off and land in and around cities across the world.
We are positioned in a new industry where it has never been a more exciting time to be at the forefront of a modern, high-growth organisation.
We have an exciting new opportunity for a Regulatory Affairs Manager to join our expanding regulation team, supporting the Drone Services side of the business.
The primary function of the role is to apply for and manager all regulatory applications and ongoing approvals, globally. The role is extremely varied from obtaining authorisations from tier 1 (primary) target markets, adding new Uncrewed Drone Systems to the Skyports fleet, supporting the flight operations team with expert knowledge to develop new routes and risk assessments, to securing airspace change processes involving the management & interaction of aviation stakeholders who may be affected by the proposed drone operation.
Based in the UK, the role will involve domestic and international travel, especially within the UK and in Europe.
In addition, the primary function the candidate will be required to:
- Secure operational authorisations from national aviation authorities to carry out drone delivery and other types of drone operations, including but not limited to the UK, Europe & USA.
- Project manage the airspace change process to secure the necessary volumes of airspace or access to controlled airspace for our drone operations.
- Manage relationships with other airspace users and aviation stakeholders affected by Skyports’ operations, as well as developing relationships with the regulators themselves
- Secure relevant permissions from communications regulators to use spectrum and mobile networks for airborne use.
- Secure permissions to carry dangerous goods by drone.
- Take ownership of regularly updating operations manuals and other documentation enabling drone operations, ensuring consistency across multiple jurisdictions.
- Manage the renewals of existing operational authorisations and other regulatory permissions.
- Research and develop a thorough understanding of the regulatory environment of target markets within individual jurisdictions in the wider region.
- Contribute to influential, evidenced-based responses and submissions to regulators.
- Advise the business on all regulatory matters – from proposed new aviation rules to standards development.
- Contribute to commercial agreements, funding and project applications (where appropriate).
- Advise the business on all regulatory matters – from proposed new aviation rules to standards development.
- Represent Skyports at meetings and events, including delivering presentations, especially to regulators.
- Report to our Head of Safety & Regulatory Compliance based in the UK.
Requirements
The ideal person for this position will have the following experience & attributes:
- A highly motivated, proactive, self-starter and team-player who likes a challenge and has the ingenuity and resilience to find the solutions to overcome them.
- Someone who owns and takes responsibility for regulatory projects, working collaboratively with team members internally and externally.
- Proven ability to plan, lead and manage complex projects and concurrent work-streams across multiple business functions, many with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to maximise the impact of our documentation, and to build strong networks and relationships.
- Ability to influence regulators, legislators and policymakers.
- Keen attention to detail to ensure our documentation meets all the necessary rules and regulations and is of the highest quality standard.
- Ability to quickly master complex, technical issues.
- Ability to problem solve on the fly; someone who can ask the questions that have not been asked and can find the answers too.
- A strong interest in and commitment to help achieve the successful introduction of uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions into mainstream society.
- Being comfortable navigating through ambiguity as this is new industry and no one yet has all the answers.
- Embraces opportunities to learn new skills and take on new tasks whenever they arise.
- Embodies a safety-first approach.
- Experience of working in a similar role in the UK or mainland Europe.
- Flexibility to travel.
Benefits
Why work for Skyports
We work on the basis of trust and partnership here at Skyports. As a new and emerging business, we aim to support our team members where we can make working life as fun, productive and engaging as possible. Joining our team, you can expect to benefit from:
- A fair market competitive salary
- Unlimited holiday: we don’t put limits on success.
- Statutory pension contributions
- The opportunity to work with a business that is trying to make our world a better place to live.
- A strong company culture.
- Working on the forefront of new technologies
