Job Description

We’re building a talent pool for Basic Flying Training (BFT) Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) and Qualified Instructors (QIs) at RAF Valley, ensuring we have the right people ready to step into key roles as they become available.

Why Join the Talent Pool? RAF Valley is home to fast-paced, high-impact flying training. By joining our talent pool, you’ll be first in line when opportunities arise to deliver world-class instruction in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

How It Works:

• Apply and Interview: If successful, you’ll be added to our talent pool for up to 12 months.
• Stay Notified: As roles open, we’ll contact you based on your availability and our operational needs.
• Confirm Your Interest: You’ll have the opportunity to express interest before any formal offer is made.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Experienced pilots with a passion for developing military aviators of the future.
• Aircrew who thrive in structured, high-tempo training environments.
• Professionals committed to safety, precision, and instructional excellence.

Ready to shape the future of military aviation at Valley? Apply now to be considered for upcoming instructor roles and help us maintain the highest standards in flying training.

A day in the life

As a Qualified Instructor on the Basic Flying Training (BFT) Squadron at RAF Valley you will part of a small niche team delivering world class Ground School and Synthetic training to Military and Ascent aircrew on the Texan T1.

You will

• Conduct ground based instruction of military BFT Student Qualified Flying Instructors (SQFIs), ab-initio pilots in accordance with BFT syllabuses. The syllabus ranges from conversion, instrument, navigation, weapon profiles, tactical and more advanced evolutions.
• You will also assist in currency training for existing QFIs.
• Conduct Computer Based Training/Computer Aided Instruction/Simulator training, including ground school lessons and simulated airborne events in accordance with BFT syllabuses
• Conduct other tasks related to Texan T1 training as directed
• Assist Curriculum Design as Texan T1 Subject Matter Expert (SME) in development and maintenance of BFT courseware
• Have the opportunity to take part in innovation work for the future of UK MFTS

What will make you successful?

You will have previous experience as a Qualified Flying Instructor pilot in the military environment. Qualifications and/or recommendations from the RAF Central Flying School will be essential.

Previous experience in a ‘Basic Flying Training’ role on a turbo-prop airframe would be extremely advantageous and experience in a synthetic training device would be beneficial but not necessarily essential.

Above all else you will thrive when instructing students and helping them to strive for success.

You should already be an excellent communicator and you will be accustomed to working with different levels of ability so that you can nurture the full spectrum of students. You will be working in an environment which is heavily customer focused, ensuring the company provides a first class service at all times.

And you will also:

• Have experience of multi-facetted flying disciplines, combining leadership and airmanship to provide a positive learning environment.
• Be able to demonstrate experience of working in collaboration with other teams.
• Have strong presentational skills, targeting a wide audience of varying abilities.
• Be able to develop and update courseware with emerging ‘best practise’ and updates as required.
• Fully engage with the RAF Safety Culture.

Job Description

A We’re building a talent pool for Basic Flying Training (BFT) Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) and Qualified Instructors (QIs) at RAF Valley, ensuring we have the right people ready to step into key roles as they become available.

Why Join the Talent Pool? RAF Valley is home to fast-paced, high-impact flying training. By joining our talent pool, you’ll be first in line when opportunities arise to deliver world-class instruction in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

How It Works:

• Apply and Interview: If successful, you’ll be added to our talent pool for up to 12 months.
• Stay Notified: As roles open, we’ll contact you based on your availability and our operational needs.
• Confirm Your Interest: You’ll have the opportunity to express interest before any formal offer is made.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Experienced pilots with a passion for developing military aviators of the future.
• Aircrew who thrive in structured, high-tempo training environments.
• Professionals committed to safety, precision, and instructional excellence.

Ready to shape the future of military aviation at Valley? Apply now to be considered for upcoming instructor roles and help us maintain the highest standards in flying training.

A Little bit about us

Ascent Flight Training is an established, yet growing aerospace and training company which operates across the UK, delivering flying training services to the UK Government.

We want to attract and work with innovative, adaptable and proactive people to help us achieve One Mission as One Team.

We offer the opportunity to work in a professional, dynamic and diverse environment within our Training Support Hub and on our operations sites.

You will bring proficiency and experience to an environment where your contribution is valued.u

A day in the life of an Ascent BFT QFI

As a Qualified Flying Instructor on the Basic Flying Training (BFT) Squadron at RAF Valley you will part of a small niche team delivering world class flying training to Military and Ascent aircrew on the Texan TMk1.

You will

  Instruct relevant aspects of the BFT syllabus to high instructional standards.

·       The majority of the role focuses on delivering airborne instruction but it may also include the delivery of phase briefs, technical lessons, practical demonstrations and synthetic events.

  Conduct other tasks related to Texan TMk1 training as directed.

  Assist Curriculum Design as Texan TMk1 Subject Matter Expert (SME) in development and maintenance of BFT courseware.

  Have the opportunity to take part in innovation work for the future of UK MFTS.

What will make you successful?

You will have previous experience as a Qualified Flying Instructor pilot in the military environment. Qualifications and/or recommendations from the RAF Central Flying School will be essential.

Previous experience in a ‘Basic Flying Training’ role on a turbo-prop airframe would be extremely advantageous.

Above all else you will thrive when instructing students and helping them to strive for success.

You should already be an excellent communicator and you will be accustomed to working with different levels of ability so that you can nurture the full spectrum of students. You will be working in an environment which is heavily customer focused, ensuring the company provides a first class service at all times.

And you will also:

• Have experience of multi-facetted flying disciplines, combining leadership and airmanship to provide a positive learning environment.
• Be able to demonstrate experience of working in collaboration with other teams.
• Have strong presentational skills, targeting a wide audience of varying abilities.
• Be able to develop and update courseware with emerging ‘best practise’ and updates as required.
• Fully engage with the RAF Safety Culture.

What can we offer in return

·       Equivalent to 25 days leave annual leave  

·       Private Health Care

·       Flexible benefits

·       Enhanced family friendly benefits

·       Competitive salary

·       Pension plan

·       Secure onsite employee parking  

Job Description

A day in the life of a Maritime Helicopter Instructor

As one of our team of Maritime Helicopter Instructors you will be part of an experienced, hardworking and dedicated team operating in a challenging maritime environment where no day is the same. Your diverse role will require a wide range of skills.

You will build relationships with our trainees and stakeholders across all areas of the business, customer and supplier organisations to ensure the efficient delivery of airborne and synthetic Rotary Wing Training as part of the UK Military Flying Training System. Your opinion will be valued as we develop our courses to meet the customer’s requirements.

If you are interested in joining our exceptional team, keep reading to find out more details on this exciting role.

You will:

• Teach all aspects of the Rotary Wing Maritime (Winching) Syllabus, by delivering phase briefs, technical lessons, practical demonstrations using state of the art synthetic equipment and airborne sorties.
• Assess trainees by ensuring that syllabus sorties are graded, sortie report forms and end of course documentation is completed.
• Assist in a process of continuous development to create new lessons while maintaining and improving those already established.
• Assist the Chief Maritime Instructor with any other tasks to support Ascent business continuity and resilience.
• Embrace Ascent’s One Team ethos and Total Safety culture.

What will make you successful?

You will already have experience in the Military Rotary Wing environment. You will thrive when working with our trainees, stakeholders and customers across all levels, coupled with your ability to truly understand our trainees. You will have a passion for delivering a world class military flying training system to achieve one mission, as one team. 

You will be excited by working in an environment where efficient solutions are the answer, being able to navigate both yourself and stakeholders to a positive solution. You will know the importance of being able to work successfully in situations that can often be pressured, where your initiative and flexibility will be recognised.

 You will also:

• Hold medical fitness to conduct the role, either Civilian Class 1 or Military PME and achieve Underwater Escape Training certification
• Have a minimum of 1000 hours Rotary Wing flying experience
• Have experience of flying in a Maritime environment
• Be competent in the use of computer programmes such as Windows, Microsoft Office Suite and Explore.

It would be great, however not essential, if you:

• Hold a recognised instructional category as a current/former military QHI or equivalent
• Have some experience of ab-initio training
• Have some experience as a Helicopter Captain in the Maritime environment
• Have some experience of Rotary Wing synthetic training.

Salary Information: Fully Qualified Salary is £91,577. Training Salary is £78,212

Job Description

Qualified Mission Aircrew Instructor, Weapon Systems Officer (QMAI WSO)

As a Qualified Mission Aircrew Instructor, Weapon Systems Officer (QMAI WSO) you will be joining Ascent at a very exciting time as we progress the implementation of the Future ISTAR Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS).

Initially you will be seconded to the Development and Test Team (DTT) where you will use your specialist knowledge to develop advanced courseware, bespoke training solutions utilising advanced training equipment and high-fidelity mission simulator exercises.

During this period, you will build relationships with stakeholders in FIRCTS including the existing cadre of pilots and instructors at 750 Naval Air Squadron (750NAS) at RNAS Culdrose and similarly with 45 Squadron and Ascent colleagues at RAF Cranwell.

You will be a key part of the implementation of and transition to FIRCTS; using your knowledge of and qualification on the new mission system and sensors to convert the existing team to the new aircraft, ground-based training equipment (GBTE) and courseware.

Following the transition, you will become a member of the FIRCTS instructor cadre and training ab initio trainees at 750 NAS, RNAS Culdrose. When you will  deliver high quality synthetic and classroom instruction and act as a professional mentor to trainees, enabling them to achieve the required standard in the specialism they are pursuing, within optimum timescales. Also contribute to the continuous improvement of the overall training service, and work with Ascent colleagues on wider business development initiatives as required.

You will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of working routines whilst in TDT and the DTT including, travel to sites, working from home and regular contact with 750 NAS and 45 Sqn. With a broad range of work developing and testing courseware, Instructor and trainee guides and getting to know and fully understand the new equipment and training system.

If you are interested in joining our exceptional team, keep reading to find out more details on this exciting role.

You will:

·         Initially become a member of the Training Design Team.

·         Form the leading edge of the technical advice to the DTT

·         Work in partnership with our customer, Aircrew Training Specialists and our Media and Courseware team and other stakeholders to ensure that the FIRCTS programme is successful.

·         Be part of a team that will lead the implementation and conversion to the new system.

·         Become part of the mission aircrew training team based at Culdrose, as an air instructor, offering a diverse set of specialist courses.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

·         Previous experience as Combat Ready Mission Aircrew.

·         Previous military experience as a Qualified Weapon Systems Officer – (WSO) Instructor or equivalent, with Central Flying School B1 Category or higher.

This role is full time, 40 hours per week and provides a stable Monday to Friday work schedule.

We require the successful candidate to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance.

We’re proud to foster a flexible and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. Whether working onsite or remotely, we support a culture that encourages collaboration, individuality and work-life balance. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for all roles, including part-time hours, job share, and alternative working patterns, and we encourage conversations about individual needs during the recruitment process. We are actively working to remove barriers within our hiring practices and aim to provide a fair, accessible and supportive experience for every candidate. If you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

Job Description

As a Qualified Synthetic Mission Aircrew Instructor (ISR) , you will be joining Ascent at a very exciting time as we progress the implementation of the Future ISTAR Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS).

Initially you will be seconded to the Training Design Team (TDT) where you will use your specialist ISR knowledge to develop advanced courseware, bespoke training solutions utilising advanced training equipment and high-fidelity mission simulator exercises.

Following your time with the Training Design Team, you will progress to the Development and Test Team (DTT) to bring your expertise to bear on this crucial update for our training system and aircraft.

During this period, you will build relationships with stakeholders in FIRCTS including the existing cadre of pilots and instructors at 750 Naval Air Squadron (750 NAS) at RNAS Culdrose and similarly with 45 Squadron at RAF Cranwell.

You will be a key part of the implementation of and transition to FIRCTS; using your knowledge of and qualification on the new mission system and sensors to convert the existing team to the new aircraft, ground-based training equipment (GBTE) and courseware.

Following the transition, you will become a member of the FIRCTS instructor cadre, training ab initio Mission Aircrew trainees (ASW Aircrewman, RNO, WSO, WSOp) at The Mission Aircrew Training Facility, RNAS Culdrose. There you will deliver high quality synthetic and classroom instruction and act as a professional mentor to trainees, enabling them to achieve the required standard in the specialism they are pursuing, within optimum timescales. Also contribute to the continuous improvement of the overall training service, and work with Ascent colleagues on wider business development initiatives as required.

You will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of working routines whilst in TDT and the DTT including, travel to sites, working from home and regular contact with 750 NAS and 45 Sqn. With a broad range of work developing and testing courseware, Instructor and trainee guides and getting to know and fully understand the new equipment and training system.

If you are interested in joining our exceptional team, keep reading to find out more details on this exciting role.

You will:

• Initially become a member of the Training Design Team.

• Form the leading edge of the technical advice to the DTT

• Work in partnership with our customer, Aircrew Training Specialists and our Media and Courseware team and other stakeholders to ensure that the FIRCTS programme is successful.

• Be part of a team that will lead the implementation and conversion to the new system.

• Become part of the Mission Aircrew (ISR) training team based at Culdrose, as a synthetic and ground instructor, offering SME delivery to a diverse set of specialist courses.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Previous experience as Combat Ready ISR Mission Aircrew Instructor(QMAI/QAI/QOI) with Central Flying School B1 Category or higher.

• This role is full time, 40 hours per week and provides a stable Monday to Friday work schedule.

• We require the successful candidate to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance.

This role is full time, 40 hours per week and provides a stable Monday to Friday work schedule.

We require the successful candidate to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance.

We’re proud to foster a flexible and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. Whether working onsite or remotely, we support a culture that encourages collaboration, individuality and work-life balance. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for all roles, including part-time hours, job share, and alternative working patterns, and we encourage conversations about individual needs during the recruitment process. We are actively working to remove barriers within our hiring practices and aim to provide a fair, accessible and supportive experience for every candidate. If you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

Job Description

The Compliance Monitoring Manager leads the independent assurance of Ascent’s activities, providing the Head of Quality, Cont. Improvement & Risk, the Leadership Team and our customer with confidence that training delivery, training design and supporting business processes comply with regulatory, contractual and internal requirements. The role owns the Compliance Monitoring Programme end to end, setting the risk-based audit and oversight schedule, leading the audit team, managing the organisation’s interface with regulators and certification bodies, and turning compliance evidence into insight that drives improvement.
For Ascent’s civil continuing airworthiness activity, the postholder is the nominated Compliance Monitoring Manager under UK Part-CAMO (CAMO.A.305(a)(4)), accepted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and named in the Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition (CAME).

Day to day:

What will make you successful:

Job Description

A day in the life of an Ascent QHI

As a QHI you will be a part of a dedicated cadre of Instructors with a CFS accredited B1 (or higher) instructional category and work with our military partners to prepare military trainees for the front line. You will use state of the art synthetic training devices and fly the latest generation of the Airbus H135 and H145 as part of your daily routine. If you wish to be a part of this fulfilling, interesting and challenging task please read on to find out more details of this exciting role.

You will:

• Conduct ground theory lessons in the form of mass briefings.
• Instruct basic and advanced techniques using various cutting edge synthetic devices.
• Instruct on one of the courses of increasing complexity. These range from the ab-initio course that teaches basic flying techniques to the specific tactical courses of each 3 services.
• Where required support crewman courses by flying the aircraft for their specific syllabus sorties.
• Supervise flying and be a part of the ‘Just’ flight safety culture at RAF Shawbury.
• Drive continuous improvement in courseware and all other aspects of your working environment.

What will make you successful?

You will already be qualified as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI) from your previous employment in the UK military, or have a CFS(H) recommend for the QHI cse.  You will deliver the highest standard of instruction using the latest synthetic and aircraft technology to develop the next generation of service pilot. In doing so you will have the opportunity to hone and progress your instructional skills in order to upgrade where appropriate or consolidate your instructional category on the new aircraft type. You will thrive amongst our QHI cadre and build a good relationship with our military partners to ensure the trainees benefit from a smooth transition through each course.

You will thoroughly enjoy being back in a Squadron environment, and being part of a team where your hard work can be seen in the progression of the trainees as you will be preparing them at such an early stage of their career. You will know the importance of being able to work successfully in situations that can often be pressured.

And you will also:

• Have a civilian Class 1 medical or military Annual Medical.
• Be able to demonstrate your instructional pedigree and experience.
• Have strong communication skills, be able to build relationships to work in collaboration with teams across the organisation.
• Have strong presentation skills, targeting a wide audience from customers to internal stakeholders.
• Be able to demonstrate courage and the ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Be responsible for continuous development and creation of courseware.

Salary Information: Fully Qualified Salary is £87,852. Training Salary is £72,204

Job Description

King Air (B350) Pilot, completing flights as required to facilitate rear crew instruction.

Day to day, you’ll provide assistance to flying training by acting as a Pilot for airborne sorties. Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Fly airborne sorties to support rear crew instruction as part of the UKMFTS programme.
• Ensure aircraft operations meet the highest safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with instructors and engineers to deliver seamless, high-quality training experiences.
• Act as a role model for flight safety, professionalism, and Ascent’s core values.
• Maintain readiness for scheduled and unscheduled flights, adapting to evolving training needs.

What will make you successful in the Avenger Pilot role:

Job Description

A day in the life of an Safety & Technical Assurance Manager

As Safety & Technical Assurance Manager you will be part of a diverse function, embedded into one of our operational sites. In this unique role, you will have the opportunity as an independent team member to work closely with our customer, supply chain, and operational delivery team and make a significant impact to our business and services.

Within the site, you will build strong relationships built upon trust with our key stakeholders to ensure:

o Safety of our combined operations;

o Operational risk is effectively understood, managed, and mitigated;

o Effective collaborative working to drive an enterprise safety and performance culture; and

o Clear communication of successes, issues, risks, and opportunities based on objective facts.

More broadly, working as part of the team, you will:

o Support the wider team with the sharing of best practice across sites; and

o Contribute to continuous improvement programmes to enhance the standardisation and effectiveness of our Safety Management and Quality Management Systems; and

o provide independent safety and technical support to our on-site operational teams.

What will make you successful?

You will already have a strong background in Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul or Continuing Airworthiness Management within a management or leadership roles and should have a detailed understanding and practical experience of Air Safety Management.

You will thrive in an environment where building trust and strong relationships is critical to obtaining transparency and an enterprise just and fair safety and performance culture. As well as being effective operating within a team, you will be comfortable working autonomously and retaining an independent perspective. You will have strong communication skills and the ICT literacy to develop clear and concise factual reports that can inform effective decision making.

And you will also:

o Have experience of undertaking robust safety risk assessments, underpinned by data;

o A thorough understanding of civil and military aviation, knowledge of CAP 562 Lft B-40 advantageous; and

o Have accomplished planning skills and the ability to support collaborative plans in a complex environment

We’re proud to foster a flexible and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. Whether working onsite or remotely, we support a culture that encourages collaboration, individuality and work-life balance. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for all roles, including part-time hours, job share, and alternative working patterns, and we encourage conversations about individual needs during the recruitment process. We are actively working to remove barriers within our hiring practices and aim to provide a fair, accessible and supportive experience for every candidate. If you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

Job Description

Job Description

We’re building a talent pool for Elementary Flying Training (EFT) Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) at RAF Cranwell, ensuring we have the right people ready to step into key roles as they become available.

Why Join the Talent Pool? By joining our talent pool, you’ll be first in line when opportunities arise to deliver world-class instruction in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

How It Works:

• Apply and Interview: If successful, you’ll be added to our talent pool for up to 12 months.
• Stay Notified: As roles open, we’ll contact you based on your availability and our operational needs.
• Confirm Your Interest: You’ll have the opportunity to express interest before any formal offer is made.

A day in the life of an EFT QFI

As a Qualified Flying Instructor on the Elementary Flying Training (EFT) Squadron at RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath, you will be part of a team delivering world-class flying training to Military aircrew on the Grob 120TP ‘Prefect’.  This aircraft is a high-performance single engine turbo-prop with full glass cockpit and retractable undercarriage. The syllabus is similar to the CAA PPL(A), so if you can teach PPL then you can teach EFT!

As an EFT QFI you will.

• Instruct relevant aspects of the EFT syllabus to the highest of instructional standards.
• Much of the role consists of airborne instruction (General Handling including aerobatics, basic Instrument Flying and Low-Level Visual Navigation conducted at 500 feet agl). The role will also include the delivery of phase briefs, technical lessons, practical demonstrations and synthetic training.
• Achieve and maintain a Military Instructor Category from the historic RAF Central Flying School who demand the highest of instructional standards.
• Conduct other tasks related to Prefect training as directed.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of EFT courseware.
• Achieve advanced levels of Military Instructor categorisation and progression to teach advanced EFT elements such as Close Formation Flying.
• Be working in an environment which is heavily customer-focused ensuring Ascent always provides a first-class service.

Salary: Starting at £55,500, increasing to £61,500 on completion of training and £71,000 when fully qualified. Advanced qualification attracts a salary of £76,000.

What will make you successful?

You will ideally have significant experience as a Flying Instructor (Aeroplanes) or experience gained as a previous military-qualified service pilot.  While you do not require any military experience, it would be advantageous if you were familiar with the military environment – though this is not essential.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential: Unrestricted Class One Medical. CPL(A), FI(A) and Instrument Rating and 500 hours Flying Experience, or Military Equivalent.

Desirable: Aerobatics Rating

Candidates who do not meet the essential requirements are encouraged to apply if they are on a pathway to achieve the requirements in the future. We can still place you in the Talent Pool until you have the required qualifications and there is a vacant position.

Due to current visa regulations, we’re unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship.

You should already be an excellent communicator and possess computer fluency skills with Microsoft Office.

You will also:

• Be able to demonstrate experience of working in collaboration with other teams.
• Have strong presentational skills.
• Be able to develop and update courseware with emerging ‘best practise’ and updates as required.
• Fully engage with the RAF and Ascent Safety Culture.

Job Description

✈️ Explore Your Future with Ascent Flight Training

This isn’t just work experience, it’s your launchpad.

Are you curious about how a real business works behind the scenes? Want to explore different career paths before making big decisions about your future? Join us at Ascent Flight Training for a 4-day immersive work experience at our modern Bristol HQ and discover what your future could look like.

🌟 What is Ascent Flight Training?

We’re the team behind the training of the UK’s next generation of military aircrew. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin, and Babcock, we design and deliver world-class flying training systems. But we’re not just about aircraft; we’re about people, innovation, and creating opportunities. Our work experience weeks run for four days; Monday – Thursday. For Post 16 students, the week will run from the 5th July 2027 and for Year 10 students the week commencing the 12th July 2027.  

🔍 What You’ll Experience

This placement is designed to give you a real taste of working life. You’ll get to explore a variety of departments and roles that keep our business running smoothly. Whether you already have a career in mind or are just starting to explore your options, we’ll help you find out what excites you.

You could get involved in areas like:

• Human Resources (HR): Discover how we support our people and shape our workplace culture.
• Finance: See how budgets are managed and how financial decisions support big projects.
• Project Management: Learn how we plan, organise, and deliver complex training programmes.
• Commercial & Business Management: Understand how we work with partners and manage contracts.
• Media & Courseware Development: Get creative with digital learning tools and training content.
• IT & Systems Support: Explore how technology keeps our teams connected and secure.
• Operations & Scheduling: See how we coordinate people, resources, and training timelines.
• Safety & Assurance: Learn how we maintain high standards and keep everything running safely.

You’ll meet professionals from across the business, take part in hands-on activities, and get a real feel for what it’s like to work in a fast-paced, high-tech environment.

💡 Who Can Apply?

If you’re in Year 10 or above and currently in school, college, or university, this opportunity is for you. Whether you’re a planner, a problem-solver, a people-person, or just curious — we want to hear from you.

🤝 Inclusion Matters

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and welcome students from all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments or support during the application or placement, just let us know — we’re here to help.

🚀 Ready to Take Off?

This is your chance to explore, learn, and grow. Apply now for a 4-day experience that could shape your future.

Job Description

A little bit about us…

Ascent Flight Training is an established, yet growing aerospace and training company which operates across the UK, delivering flying training services to the UK Government. We want to attract and work with innovative, adaptable and proactive people to help us achieve One Mission as One Team.

We offer the opportunity to work in a flexible, dynamic and diverse environment within our Training Support Hub and on our operations sites. You will bring expertise and fresh ideas to an environment where your contribution is really valued. 

A day in the life of an Ascent General Manager…

As the General Manager for our Basic Flying Training (BFT) and Advanced Jet Training (AJT) services, you will be fully accountable to the Operations Director for the management of a business with a high public profile and delivering key capability for Defence. You will:

• Provide Exceptional Levels of Leadership. You will inherit a large and multi-functional team spread over two operational sites, collocated with our Military end-user and strategic supplier, and need to brief up to 1* level military stakeholders. Familiarity and an ability to provide leadership in this environment and in a style that resonates with our military colleagues is an absolute necessity. You will need to be able to focus on leading in this environment whilst simultaneously ensuring alignment with wider business strategy and boundaries, whilst always focusing on delivering win/win strategic and operational outcomes.
• Build High Performing, Scalable, and Sustainable Teams. You will need a people-centric focus and the ability to build, retain, and develop high performing teams; people and capability development; effective succession planning; and people development.
• Drive Strong Business and Operational Performance. This role requires you to take full P&L responsibility for a business with variable ‘performance-based’ revenues. You will need solid experience in business and operational leadership with key skills in cost control, risk management, investment appraisal, operations and supplier management, and effective communication.
• Create Growth and Lead Change. You will be joining the business at an exciting time. The business is growing with strong growth on the agenda, supported by multiple change projects to optimise our ways of working, scalability, and efficiency. You will need to be an accomplished leader of change, support and implement central initiatives into your business, and leverage this for meaningful growth in your sector.

What will make you successful?

Above all, this role is about people – a service business with a large team and engaged customers and supplier all co-located. You will be a seasoned and experienced leader of people, a confident and effective communicator, love leading and engaging with teams, and be able to build strong and long-lasting relationships.

Aside from people, you will already have experience in senior leadership roles with full P&L accountability and will have a track record of delivering complex operations or services in a highly regulated and commercial environment.

Whilst not essential, a background in Defence & Aerospace will be a huge advantage, as will experience working closely with senior military leaders.

You will also:

• Have high levels of business acumen and focus – (strategy, operations management, finance, commercial and contracts, supply chains, and risk management).
• Have a proven capacity for leading businesses and teams to achieve consistent high levels of performance and engagement, aligned with core business strategy.
• Have produced growth and margin increase in previous businesses.
• Have proven track-record of stakeholder management and effective collaboration to create win-win outcomes at senior levels with strategic customers and suppliers.
• Have strong customer services skills – a passion for exceeding their expectations and working in a true partnership.

What we can offer in return…

• Very competitive salary
• Equivalent to 25 days leave annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Option to work Flexibly (hours/work location/Job share etc)
• Private AXA Health Care for you and your family
• Flexible benefits (Buying and selling of holiday, BUPA dental, cycle2work scheme, EV car scheme, retail discounts)
• Enhanced family friendly benefits
• Pension plan (up to 7% matched)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 free and confidential legal and wellbeing advice)
• Mental Health Support and subscription to the Unmind platform for you and a plus one
• Free eye tests for DSE users and money towards any subsequent corrective glasses

This role is full time, 40 hours per week and provides a stable Monday to Friday work schedule.

This role requires the successful candidate to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance.

We’re proud to foster a flexible and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. Whether working onsite or remotely, we support a culture that encourages collaboration, individuality and work-life balance. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements for all roles, including part-time hours, job share, and alternative working patterns, and we encourage conversations about individual needs during the recruitment process. We are actively working to remove barriers within our hiring practices and aim to provide a fair, accessible and supportive experience for every candidate. If you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.