Job description

Job Purpose

The Academy Compliance & Quality Manager holds the GCAA-accepted Nominated Post Holder position for Compliance Monitoring at Air Arabia Academy. The role owns the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Academy's Compliance Monitoring System (CMS) across every approved activity of the Academy — the Approved Training Organisation (MPL and CPL pilot training), the Flight Dispatch Training Organisation, English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment, CAR 147 engineering training, the Examination Centre, and FSTD operations.
The role provides independent assurance to the Accountable Manager that the Academy, its nominated post holders, and its internal and contracted service providers are operating in compliance with GCAA requirements and Academy policies and procedures, and acts as the Academy's principal point of contact with the GCAA on compliance and approval matters.

Regulatory Reporting & Post Holder Oversight

• Reports findings, remarks, and non-compliances directly to the Accountable Manager, in line with UAE GCAA regulations and Academy standards and procedures.
• Ensures all post holders' duties and responsibilities comply with regulatory requirements, confirming that the standards required by the GCAA and Academy policies are being carried out properly, under the Accountable Manager's supervision.

Compliance Monitoring System (CMS)

• Develops and implements the Compliance Monitoring System (CMS) effectively across all Academy activities.
• Assures that the CMS is appropriately implemented, maintained, and continuously reviewed and improved.
• Stays up to date with regulatory changes and ensures the Academy adapts to those changes accordingly.
• Coordinates management Compliance Monitoring review meetings and follows up to review audit results, emphasising areas of improvement and where corrective actions are necessary within the relevant departments.

Audit Management

• Manages the full audit cycle — planning, scheduling, implementing, auditing, and reviewing — across all Academy functions.
• Manages and conducts internal and external audits and inspections as required.
• Performs an objective compliance review of corrective actions, their execution, and completion, to confirm whether each action is effective or compromises another aspect of the department or function.
• Conducts a pre-audit with all prospective contracted service providers proposed for extension of the CMS, to confirm requirements are met before continuing to work with them.
• Trains internal auditors, where required, in accordance with the Academy's auditor training programme.

Multi-Discipline Compliance Oversight

Handles and monitors compliance standards and the provision of services across all Academy activities, including:

• Approved Training Organisation (ATO) pilot training — MPL and CPL programmes.
• Flight Dispatch Training Organisation.
• English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessment.
• Examination Centre operations.
• Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTD) operations.
• CAR 147 engineering type training.
• Any other approved training or activity of the Academy, whether delivered internally or through contracted external providers.
• Delegates the assessment of flight standards and instructor competency, as described in the relevant operations manual, to the appropriate training department team members, ensuring they report back certifying compliance with regulations and correct documentation and training.

Approvals & GCAA Liaison

• Processes requests for approval of ATO certifications, nominated post holders, and staff approvals and authorisations, providing the GCAA with the correct documentation to ensure instructors and examiners are approved and authorised.
• Informs and notifies the GCAA of any major changes to ATO-approved activities, including management of change, risk assessment, and an adequate action plan, in line with the SMS and compliance procedures.
• Informs and notifies the GCAA of any changes affecting FSTD qualifications, including any modification regardless of impact, de-activation or relocation of a device, or major device failures.
• Liaises with regulatory authorities to respond to queries or concerns.
• Monitors and maintains all Academy approvals, including those under the responsibility of nominated post holders, and keeps an updated record.

Process, Records & Documentation

• Works and coordinates with heads of department to develop and update the Academy's processes and procedures.
• Ensures all records concerning approvals are segregated and readily available for internal and external audits.
• Confirms that only current approval documentation is available on the T3 documentation management system.
• Secures and stores all CMS records — including non-compliances, audit reports, reviews, evaluations, and training provided — and ensures these are promptly accessible for inspection.

Essential

• Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in aviation training, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance, including prior experience in a quality, compliance, or post holder role within a GCAA (or equivalent regulator, e.g. EASA) approved training organisation.
• Demonstrated experience as, or acting on behalf of, a Nominated Post Holder accepted by a civil aviation authority — familiarity with the accountability and reporting obligations this carries.
• Strong working knowledge of the UAE GCAA Civil Aviation Regulations relevant to Approved Training Organisations (ATO), CAR 147 approved maintenance training organisations, FSTD qualification and oversight, and ELP assessment requirements (in line with ICAO Annex 1 language proficiency provisions).
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or managing a Compliance Monitoring System (CMS) and/or Safety Management System (SMS) in an aviation training or operational environment.
• Experience planning and conducting internal and external/regulatory audits, including managing corrective action processes to closure.
• Experience liaising directly with a civil aviation authority on approvals, notifications, and compliance matters.

Desirable

• Background across more than one of the Academy's core disciplines (pilot ATO training, flight dispatch training, ELP assessment, CAR 147 engineering training, or FSTD operations).
• Recognised quality management or auditor qualification (e.g. ISO 9001 lead auditor or equivalent).
• Experience with electronic documentation management systems (e.g. T3 or equivalent) for approvals and controlled documentation.
• A relevant aviation, engineering, or quality management degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience training or mentoring internal auditors.