Job summary
- Main area
- Estates
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-7679153-MAR26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Helipad Operational Manager
Band 6
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Responsible for the delivery of a robust cost-effective Helipad Service to the Major Trauma Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital
This will include:
To manage all aspects of Helipad operations including preventive & reactive maintenance and staffing to ensure the helipad is available for use to the agreed operating schedule.
Develop measures to comply with new/revised legislation/guidance/best practice and issued by statutory and/or regulatory bodies.
To provide specialist evidence-based advice on aircraft operations on the Trust Helipad.
To establish and maintain positive working relationships with SECAMB and KSS Air Ambulance along with Major Trauma Centre Staff.
Main duties of the job
Communication
The post holder will be required to communicate with all levels of Trust staff, patients, visitors and the public and therefore will require excellent verbal and written communication skills
The post holder will be required to provide and exchange information with both specialists and non-specialists and will therefore need to articulate information in appropriate and understandable formats
Attend planned and ad-hoc briefings within, to and on behalf of the Division
Provide specialist advice and guidance on matters relating to all aspects of Helipad operations
Report on Helipad activity within the Trust and externally including to comply with CAA Regulations and BHCC Planning conditions
The post holder will be required to oversee sensitive tasks such as transferral of deceased patients both adult and adolescent. This will involve sensitive verbal communication with clinical teams and, on occasions, patients and their relatives.
The post holder will be required to participate in regular meetings key stakeholders and local area representatives to discuss operational concerns.
Communicating clear and positive messages to staff, other parts of the Trust and key stakeholders such as staff engagement initiatives, service updates and other service driven key information.
See Job Description and Personal Specification Attached for more details
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UH Sussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Service Delivery and Improvement
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Supervise the helipad response team ensuring the helipad response team is fully trained and physically competent at all times in accordance with CAA CAP699 to ensure there is a correct level of cover for all incoming and departing flights.
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Maintain a log of all flight movements and ensuring a safe transit of patient from helicopter onto and from deck to Emergency Department or other location.
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Be fully conversant with CAA regulations appertaining to operation of elevated helipads, develop and update operating manuals as required in the light of changing guidance and regulations.
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Declare the Helipad operational each day having assessed the risks and in accordance with the Helipad Operations manual. This will also include liaising with outside authorities as required to notify if the deck is unserviceable at any time.
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Ensure health and safety awareness is understood and adhered to by all staff directly involved with the Helipad when on ‘standby’ duty, ensuring that the aircraft is not approached until safe to do so and Helipad access is restricted to unauthorised personnel
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Ensure visual checks of the Helipad landing area, stairs, ramps, windsocks, lighting, etc. are undertaken on daily basis and prior to each aircraft arrival and departure to ensure all are fully operational and safe for use.
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Ensure daily checks of all roof areas and adjoining areas under and adjacent to helipad to ensure there are no roosting/ nesting of pigeons and seagulls and inspect installed pigeon netting daily and report immediately any defects.
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Remove any foreign objects from the Helipad and dispose of them in accordance with the Brighton Sussex University Hospital Waste Policy ensuring the Helipad is safe for use. Report and record any identified faults or defects immediately and ensure remedial repairs are actioned.
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Oversee contractors working on the Helipad at all times to ensure their safety and that of the Helipad Team and any aircraft movements.
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Ensure the Helipad remains staffed at all times an aircraft is on the helipad.
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Ensure the crew accommodation is, maintained in a clean and tidy state and any defects reported.
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Ensure the helipad is, secured to all non-authorised persons at all times and instil a full understanding of the need for this security with the helipad response team.
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Be able to operate and interpret weather forecasting station data and relay, this, information as required.
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Will have final say and decision making on landings on a Go/No GO basis
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Check all safety systems are functioning as well as bird scaring and laser
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Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the Estates Manager, as the needs of the service require.
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The job description and person specification may, be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.
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Annual audits should be scheduled to evaluate compliance with the local Helipad Operations Manual
See Job Description and Personal Specification for more details
Person specification
Experience / Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Experience to Degree Level or a Level 3 Vocational Qualification or equivalent
- Experience and Knowledge of a range of Trade Procedures acquired through an accredited Training Course on required equipment
- Facilities Management or equivalent specialist knowledge / managerial qualification
- Evidence of continued Professional Development
Desirable criteria
- Worked in an NHS environment understanding of relevant issues
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good Analytical Skills including the use of Statistics
- Able to act independently on own initiative and judgement to make decisions
- Proven Leadership and People Management Skills
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of Helipad or Aviation Facility Operations, with specific exposue to Fire Risk Management
- Experience delivering Fire Safety Training or conducting Emergency drills in high risk environments
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
- Experience of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and Powerpoint
- Information Resources / IT
- Demonstrate Behaviours and Attitudes that supports the Trust's Version
- PersonaL Qualities and Attributes e.g Team Leader, Articulate self starter, Ability to work autonomously
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertake own Development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rhys Perkins
- Job title
- Head of Estates
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
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