Associate - ATOL Finance Licensing

Salary: £45,000 to £54,790 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Cover

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Westferry, London – Average 2 days per week office attendance expected

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Friday 6th November 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 9th or 16th November 2026

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

We are looking for an Associate with solid financial skills, strong communication and problem-solving capabilities to join our team of finance experts in aviation and travel.

The ATOL Finance Licensing function’s activities are diverse and broad in scope in regulating c1,600 ATOL holders. Primarily, this role is concerned with the financial sustainability of the aviation and travel businesses that CAA regulates, in this case the financial supervision and regulatory compliance of the 100 leading tour operators under the ATOL consumer protection scheme. In addition, the team is responsible for the financial oversight of UK-registered airlines and companies operating in the space industry.  The CAA also manages the Air Travel Trust (“ATT”) fund, set up to repatriate and refund ATOL protected customers in case of failure of an ATOL protected tour operator.

The UK travel and aviation markets are constantly evolving and subject to various short and longer-term challenges and opportunities. This role provides the exciting opportunity to be at the forefront helping shape our regulatory approach as operators seek to deal with the impact of these events.

As an Associate it will be your role to support Principals in the team with the management of the CAA’s regulation of a portfolio of licensed tour operators, and potentially airlines as well as companies operating in the space industry. This involves the direct financial supervision of these operators in addition to assisting the delivery of the processes that grant, renew, or vary their ATOLs or Operating Licences. To do this effectively you will need to perform in-depth analysis of the financial and business aspects of a portfolio of companies, ensuring these are carried out with due regard to relevant regulations and CAA policies and procedures. This will require year-round financial monitoring, as well as the building and maintaining of constructive, collaborative relationships with stakeholders in the aviation and travel industry. Furthermore, you may be expected to play a supportive role on behalf of the CAA in situations where one of the portfolio companies undertakes a corporate transaction, is in financial distress, or to the extent applicable, compliance matters to be investigated.  The goal is to ensure travel businesses meet the necessary requirements under the respective legislation and regulations for the benefit of the consumers.

Additionally, the role will see you take on a wide range of other activities. These include, ad hoc project work, analysing and interpreting industry data, producing relevant reports for departmental, CAA-wide or external audiences as well as assisting in documenting guidelines and procedures.

About You

If you are looking for a role that will place you at the heart of the aviation industry and that draws on your capabilities as an astute financial professional, passionate problem-solver as well as a keen influencer of stakeholders, then this is an excellent opportunity for you. We are a supportive environment that is driven by our mission to protect the consumer and ensure safety, if this sounds like something you want to be involved in then please apply, we’d love to hear from you.

Essential:

• Good numerical and problem-solving skills to conduct high quality, predictive and sound business and financial analyses within the deadlines that have been specified, and that draw on obtained/collected data/information without guidance.
• Must hold at least an intermediate accounting or finance qualification (e.g. part-qualified accountant or equivalent) or have equivalent experience.
• Solid understanding of financial statements, KPIs and concepts.
• Good communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present issues and recommendations clearly and concisely, as well as to carry conviction with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage own workload effectively and maintain quality and accuracy
• Good data and modelling skills, including ability to interrogate datasets and draw conclusions, develop financial and data models to apply simple analytical tools.
• Keen to work as part of team of aviation and travel finance specialists.

Desirable:

• An understanding of policy and regulatory issues affecting UK airlines and travel industries is helpful but not essential.
• Previous credit control / analysis experience would be desirable.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. To help ensure transparency and protect the independence and reputation of the CAA, candidates invited to interview will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests form, disclosing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence, or be seen to influence, their ability to perform the role objectively and impartially.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

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