Navy Command – 1710 Naval Air Squadron Quality Assurance Manager

Job summary

Leading the Quality Assurance team at 1710 Naval Air Squadron is a post with meaningful responsibility. You will help assure innovative aircraft repairs and modifications, while supporting scientific and engineering advice that directly contributes to the safety, readiness and effectiveness of UK military aviation. Working alongside experienced military, engineering and scientific specialists, you will build valuable leadership, quality management and professional skills in a unique Defence environment.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Do you have a background in quality assurance and a passion for continuous improvement? Could you bring your quality assurance expertise to our diverse team to support the UK Armed Forces? If so, 1710 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) wants to hear from you!

With a heritage dating back to the 1930’s and based in Portsmouth Dockyard, 1710 NAS is a mixed Civil Service and Military team of technical specialists from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, that uses scientific and engineering reasoning to overcome UK MOD aircraft operational issues to recover, sustain and enhance aviation and general military capability.

We are looking for an individual with a sound understanding of the principles of quality assurance and continuous improvement This is an excellent opportunity to develop your leadership and quality management career in a distinctive Defence environment. You will lead a small, supportive team of military and Civil Service colleagues and take ownership of a Quality Management System covering activities ranging from engineering standards and innovative aircraft repairs to specialist materials testing.

You will have genuine influence, providing trusted quality advice to the 1710 NAS Management Board and helping ensure that our work consistently meets the high standards required across UK Defence. This will include planning the annual audit schedule, writing and reviewing audits, and engaging with the relevant external authorities necessary to maintain 1710 NAS’ Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Design Approved Organisation Scheme (DAOS) accreditation.

The role also offers variety beyond the office, with occasional travel to UK locations and opportunities to attend conferences and visit external partners. These experiences can support your continuing professional development, broaden your professional network and help you build valuable leadership, auditing and stakeholder-management skills.

Travel to satellite locations within the UK are occasionally necessary. Attendance at conferences and on visits to external partners could also be a part of your role if desired for your continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

As the Quality Assurance Manager within our team, you will be responsible for:

• Managing a small team (2 Civil Servants and one Royal Navy), to ensure that the 1710 NAS QMS meets the requirements of the ISO 9001, ISO 17025 (test laboratories), MAA DAOS and BRd 763 (Naval Aviation Quality Manual) quality standards.
• Act as a Lead Auditor, managing the internal audit programme, carrying out internal audits (as required – the Squadron has a number of trained auditors) and coordinating improvement activities.
• Analysing and presenting quality management data.
• Advise the Management Board on matters affecting quality.

You'll report directly to the Quality System Owner who will support and guide you in your training and professional development within the team.

Person specification

Person specification

Your skills will be invaluable and will include:

• Sound knowledge of the principles of quality management
• Ideally, previous experience of quality assurance and auditing Strong IT skills
• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, the Defence Air Environment (DAE) and its regulatory framework would be beneficial, as is knowledge of the ISO 17025:2017 standard.

Qualifications

With strong English and Maths skills we're seeking applicants with relevant quality management knowledge and ideally, those who hold an ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor qualification.

You should also have a flexible, adaptable and inquisitive approach to work

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• From MOD Managing Quality Framework)MQ 2.2 - Quality Thinking.
• MQ 5.2 - Evaluation of Measures and Results.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We'll provide a great range of benefits including:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development including working towards Chartership and accreditation support.
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)"Excellent learning and development
• Onsite gym
• Flexible working
• Onsite parking

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation peri