Job Description

Skills Lead

Application Deadline: 16 April 2026

Department: Training and Capability

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Brize Norton

Reporting To: Mark Lewis

Compensation: £50,664 - £57,696 / year

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced learning professional to step into the role of Skills Lead within our Training & Capability team.

As Skills Lead, you will design, develop and deliver a suite of tailored training interventions that create true competency across the business. Working closely with stakeholders and external partners, you’ll ensure learning solutions are fit for purpose, value for money, and aligned to organisational capability priorities.

Why AirTanker?


AirTanker is a key part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering essential air-to-air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. Operating where military precision meets commercial excellence, we uphold the highest safety and compliance standards. As the Skills Lead, you’ll shape capability across AirTanker by designing and delivering bespoke training that bridges technical expertise and people skills. Your work will close critical skills gaps, support career pathway development, and ensure our workforce is equipped, confident and ready to meet current and future business needs.

What's in it for you?

• Capability Influence: Shape how skills are built across the organisation by designing bespoke training that bridges technical expertise and people skills.
• Consultative Impact: Act as an in‑house subject matter expert, providing tailored capability solutions to meet emerging business needs.
• Strategic Visibility: Work closely with senior stakeholders to identify skills gaps and influence capability priorities across enabling functions.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including private medical insurance, bonus scheme, EV scheme, contributory pension, and more.
• Adventure & Belonging: Battlefield tours, adventure training, and family fun days.
• AirTanker supports flexible working to help employees achieve a healthy work-life balance. We recognise the importance of balancing work with personal commitments, and are committed to agreeing arrangements that meet both individual and business needs.

What you'll be doing

• Design and deliver bespoke training courses aligned to People Capability and business needs
• Conduct detailed Training Needs Analysis for new and emerging training requirements
• Develop course scope, syllabi, assessments and evaluation methods in collaboration with stakeholders
• Monitor internal and external validation of courses, updating content and delivery as required
• Act as in‑house SME for bespoke capability and skills solutions
• Identify organisational, team and individual skills gaps during analysis and course delivery
• Evaluate training effectiveness and ensure value for money
• Create and develop technical career pathways incorporating people and leadership skills
• Manage relationships with external training and development partners
• Ensure accurate and timely updating of training records on the electronic training system
• Take accountability for learner welfare during training events, ensuring health and safety standards are met

What you'll bring

• Proven experience designing and delivering bespoke leadership or people‑skills training
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility across all levels of the business
• Experience acting as an internal consultant or learning subject‑matter expert
• Ability to translate business needs into practical, effective training solutions
• Experience working within a regulated environment
• Working knowledge of the Systematic or Defence Systems Approach to Training (desirable)
• A recognised teaching or training qualification (advantageous)
• Strong organisational skills and confidence using MS Office tools