BBMF COS and Engagement Coord

A vacancy has arisen for a Flight Lieutenant or Squadron Leader (Any Profession) to serve as Chief of Staff at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 26 August 2024 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status).

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is the Royal Air Force's heritage display team. Annually it conducts up to 200 displays and undertake over 1000 flypasts, reaching an audience of more than 8 million across the UK. Funded publicly and non-publicly, it is a lean and cost-effective operation requiring a great deal of energy to maintain and sustain and to do this, it needs a very dedicated and driven support team - and that team needs a leader.

The Chief of Staff is responsible to Officer Commanding (OC) BBMF for all matters administrative, collaborative, financial, infrastructural and reputational / image.  Specifically: the administration, transportation, material, activities, and real estate system that supports day-to-day BBMF operations in their environment as well as externally. Principally they are the first point of contact and BBMF representative in all matters management and not relating to aircraft engineering or operations – thus permitting OC BBMF to focus on matters directly related to BBMF operations.

The successful candidate must be prepared to work flexibly supporting a small but dynamic team of personnel. Although based at RAF Coningsby, the position includes the need for occasional travel. A degree of physical activity can be expected.

Position Responsibilities include:

• Manage the daily administrative effort of the BBMF organisation including finance, consumables, corporate wear, display items and materials, ad-hoc and planned visits and internal projects
• Oversight of all Flight movements both UK and abroad.  Managing and coordinating the booking of hotels, transportation, and travel documentation in support of display activities
• Closely manage the relationships with all supporting stakeholders such as material and capital sponsors, local supporting organisations, county councils, marketing agencies, volunteer groups and worshipful companies
• Renegotiate sponsorship contracts as they fall due and seek new supporters as others lapse. Hold a Commercial Letter of Delegation, staffing commercial contracts with charities for VIP Auction Visits, all in conjunction with Air Commercial and Corporate Governance   
• Undertake the duties of Building Security Officer for BBMF
• Provide assistance to the BBMF PRO with the functional management and leadership of the volunteer BBMF Public Relations Team, including staffing displays, accommodation, clothing, transportations, training and selection
• Manage the BBMF Motor Transport (MT) fleet (sponsored vehicles)
• Organise and manage regular annual events such as the Anniversary Tea Party, End of Season Guest Night, Corporate Days and the Members’ Day air show
• Conceptualise, design and manage major celebratory projects, Royal, VVIP, and veteran visits, internal events and those in support of the wider station community
• Line Manager to two civil servants of grade E1.

Criteria. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Flight Lieutenant or Squadron Leader - Any.
• A leader by influence and character with the ability to operate in situations of flux
• Demonstrable experience of planning and leading significant projects and events
• Excellent numeracy, written and verbal communication skills
• Versatile, gregarious, affable with the ability to mix easily among a variety of audiences and ages
• Recent exposure to an operational or main operating base environment
• Fit and active

Desirable

• Experience with financial management
• Experience of managing Civil Servants
• Innovative thinker with a focus on developing creative solutions
• Demonstrable experience of working with civilian organisations and individuals
• Recent experience of exposure to event management
• Knowledge of PR and Social Media in the services

Selection Process.  A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Sqn Ldr Emma Phillips HQ Display DCOS A5
Tel: 01526 347620

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden, OC BBMF
Email: mark.sugden494@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2024 and interviews will take place week commencing 13 May 2024

Applicant Considerations. Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 3 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(HC) are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF Coningsby.