Area Manager, Security - United Kingdom LHR

Intro

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

Why you'll love this job

The Area Manager, Security (AMS) UK and Ireland is part of the Global Security Operations & Risk team within Corporate Security and reports directly to the Manager, Global Security – UK, Europe and APAC. The role is responsible for ensuring effective station-level security operational coverage and support, and for the implementation and oversight of security programmes and business partner contracts, in compliance with AA requirements and all applicable US, UK and Ireland government regulatory obligations.

What you'll do

This list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced. Management will modify the job or require other tasks be performed whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so, observing, of course, any legal obligations including any collective bargaining obligations.

• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with station operational leaders, local teams, and security business partners
• Provide day-to-day operational security support and guidance to station leadership and third-party security business partners
• Serve as the first point of contact for operational security incidents, providing oversight, coordination, and escalation as required
• Act as the primary operational and tactical representative of American Airlines’ security interests in the UK and Ireland, maintaining effective relationships with UK regulators (CAA, DfT) and U.S. government entities (TSA, CBP, U.S. Embassy)
• Establish and maintain working relationships with airport authorities (e.g. Heathrow Airport Limited, Edinburgh Airport, Dublin Airport Authority) and local aviation and airport law enforcement agencies
• Ensure day-to-day compliance with the Aircraft Operator Security Programme (AOSP), maintaining accurate documentation aligned with TSA and host-state regulatory requirements
• Lead Corporate Security’s response to security events, coordinating with station leadership to manage resolution, reporting, and post-incident actions
• Conduct internal investigations relating to customer misconduct, compliance issues, and team member conduct
• Perform security risk assessments and audits, including crew hotel and transportation providers, airport security programmes, and station operations
• Develop, implement, and continuously monitor security mitigation plans to address identified risks and vulnerabilities
• Support regional leadership with financial planning, customer experience initiatives, and the implementation of enhanced security measures during critical or irregular operations
• Provide regional support and escalation assistance to Area, Regional, and Global Security Managers, as required

All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience

• Sound knowledge of aviation security concepts from an airline, airport, regulatory, and/or law enforcement perspective
• 3+ years’ experience in aviation security, airline operations, or airport operations
• Proven organisational and project management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including prior experience managing teams
• Ability to prioritise responsibilities and manage competing demands effectively
• Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision
• Ability to build and maintain effective professional working relationships, both internally and externally
• Prior experience working with or within UK regulatory bodies (e.g. UK CAA, DfT) preferred
• Must meet host country government criminal background check requirements to qualify for airport security passes
• Ability to obtain the appropriate level of UK security clearance (Counter Terrorism Check – CTC)
• Minimum of 3 years’ UK residency for security clearance purposes
• Ability and willingness to undertake both short and long-haul travel (up to 40-50%) including some weekends and holidays, as required
  
  

Preferred Qualifications – Education & Prior Job Experience

• Experience in aviation security, law enforcement, or a related field
• Background in crisis management, incident response, or emergency operations
• Completion of UK Department for Transport (DfT) Aviation Security Manager Training, or the ability to successfully complete and pass the course

Skills, Licenses, and Certifications

• Strong knowledge of aviation security principles, protocols, and risk management practices
• Working understanding of aviation security compliance requirements, including TSA and UK DfT / CAA standards
• Ability to lead security investigations and implement effective corrective and preventive actions
• Proficiency in security compliance documentation, reporting, and audit processes
• Previous experience using airline operational systems such as Sabre and/or Qik

What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:

• Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network
• Health Benefits: You’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well
• Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more

Feel free to be yourself at American

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.