General Secretary

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has appointed CJPI exclusively in our search for a new General Secretary.

BALPA are the professional association and registered trade union established to represent the interests of all UK pilots. BALPA represent over 10,000 pilots and are recognised in 20 different companies; that’s over 85% of all commercial pilots flying in the UK. The association holds the largest collective resource of commercial pilot qualification and experience in the UK.

The Role

The General Secretary is an elected, salaried but non-voting-member of the National Executive Council (NEC) and works at all times in partnership with the NEC and in particular with the Association’s Executive President. The Role is accountable to the NEC.

Building on a strong foundation in this demanding and highly visible role, the General Secretary will:

• Be accountable for the overall leadership and day-to-day management, coordination and monitoring of BALPA across the full range of Association rules and responsibilities, to ensure continued delivery.
• Maintain the financial health of the Association.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the NEC on the overall strategic development of BALPA and its involvement in the civil aviation industry and trade union movement nationally, and further the main aims and objectives of the association.
• Represent and be a leading spokesperson for the association in its dealings with the media, external bodies, and agencies on matters of policy, and in so doing present a professional and high-profile media presence furthering the best interests of the membership.
• Develop and maintain business relationships with employers that further members’ interests and protect, support, and advance the interests of members and the professional interests of Flight Crew generally.
• Oversee compliance requirements of the association and ensure that all disputes are conducted within the laws governing such action.

The Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you will have extensive experience as a hands-on leader within a complementary setting. Your background in trade union or membership body senior leadership, as well as your strong understanding of the regulatory environment will serve you well as you play a pivotal role within BALPA.

Detailed and analytical in your approach, you will have a proven track record in developing exceptionally strong mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships across a variety of key stakeholders. A strong communicator and collaborator, you will possess a high level of diplomacy, tact and judgment both internally, and when working with members, the media, BALPA staff and other stakeholders.

Required experience, knowledge, skills & abilities along with the application form is available here.