Director of Legal, Regulation and Operations

Director of Legal, Regulation and Operations

London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Introduction

Heathrow is a city within a city-a complex ecosystem that provides an astonishing variety of high profile, absorbing work. From helping protect the data on which the safety of millions of passengers depends, to negotiating licences for airlines and drafting leases for hundreds of shops and restaurants, there are opportunities for interesting, inspiring work at every turn. Not least in mitigating and managing risk in the wider aviation industry to ensure generations to come can enjoy the freedom and excitement of air travel.

Our Legal & Business Assurance function brings together legal and business assurance professionals, all committed to living our values. Together, we operate within regulatory and statutory frameworks, always acting responsibly and doing the right thing. You'll be making sure we operate to the highest standards, across the kind of varied projects that you only find in an ever-changing environment like ours. Part of a close-knit and driven team, you'll take on work you'll both take real pride in and feel passionate about.

Job Info

• Job Identification 5266
• Job Category Legal and Compliance
• Posting Date 03/20/2026, 12:19 PM
• Apply Before 03/29/2026, 10:59 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Heathrow Airport Limited, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2GW, GB (Hybrid)
• Contract Type Permanent
• Working Pattern Monday-Friday Business hours

Job Description

Reporting to the General Counsel and Company Secretary (GC) together with and part of the senior leadership team, this critical role will provide strategic direction for the Legal and Business Assurance team (L&BA) comprising legal, risk, audit and compliance.

The remit will include the following:

• Regulatory matters - notably the relationship between Expansion and future regulatory settlements.
• Operational matters - including Expansion input where required.
• Litigation matters - including critical litigation issues arising from Expansion and regulatory related disputes and defence strategies.
• Airline relationships - including Expansion and BaU.

Your role will involve

• Co-create and develop the vision, strategy, plans and targets of L&BA so that it is best placed to deliver pragmatic legal advice to the business
• Partner closely with the business to deliver business objectives using creative problem solving
• Ensure that proactive legal advice is provided to the business in the Customer, Operations and People team areas
• Partner closely with the GC
• Attend Executive subcommittees as appropriate
• Scan the horizon and address legal issues which could impact the business
• Enable accountable directors (Board, Executive and Business Units) and the L&BA leadership team to understand and manage their legal risks
• Provide inspirational leadership to the L&BA function with particular focus on their own team

These skills are essential

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with experience gained in private practice and/or major FTSE 100 or other large UK regulated company
• Experience of working a regulated business
• Proven skill at operating and influencing at the most senior levels of organisation and taking decisive action to implement strategy
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated track record in leading high-performing teams as well as being a strong and collaborative team player
• Demonstrated experience of working in a fast-paced environment where demands are high and flexibility is required
• High level of tech literacy
• Proven legal background in all matters relating to regulation, operations, security, Health and Safety and litigation matters

Ideally you will also have:

• Experience of the airport and rail sectors; experience with legal tech solutions

About us

There's something so special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you'll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there's no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we'll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we'll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you'll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You'll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.

Take the next step

Join Heathrow and discover unlimited opportunities to make a difference