Head of Training Psychology

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.

Salary: Negotiable

Closing Date: Tuesday 24th November 2026

Purpose of the role:

The Head of Training Psychology leads the application of psychology to improve training effectiveness, competence development and human performance across NATS. The role provides strategic leadership and professional authority for Training Psychology, ensuring that evidence-based approaches enhance operational capability and support the achievement of organisational objectives. 

Working within a multidisciplinary training environment, the role integrates psychological, learning, training design, development and operational expertise to create an evidence-based approach to training. Through close collaboration with training designers, developers, instructors and operational stakeholders, the role ensures that psychological insight is translated into practical solutions that improve learner outcomes, training performance and organisational capability. 

Accountabilities: 

• Responsible for the Training Psychology contribution to the training strategy, delivering improvements in training success rates, training duration, predictability and reductions in dependence on ATCO resources. 

• Responsible for defining and implementing the Training Psychology strategy, operating model and capability roadmap required to achieve training improvement objectives. 

• Responsible for assuring that all psychological approaches and interventions are applied appropriately and in accordance with externally recognised standards.  

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining professional, ethical, confidentiality and clinical governance arrangements for Training Psychology services. 

• Build, lead and develop a highly capable Training Psychology team with the breadth of skills required to support current and future training needs. 

• Ensure psychological approaches are effectively integrated throughout the training journey and contribute to the continuous improvement and transformation of the training system. 

• Develop and maintain the capability, workforce and succession plans required to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the Training Psychology function.  

• Oversee the design, development and continuous improvement of Training Psychology programmes and services. 

• Oversee approaches that support learner development, progression and adaptation throughout the training pathway and enhance instructor capability. 

• Ensure that NATS approach to Training Psychology is ethical, evidence based and aligns with the latest and emerging externally recognised practices. 

• Establish measures of effectiveness, evaluate training system performance and ensure appropriate governance, assurance and quality management processes are in place. 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships across NATS, including Operations Training, Operations, Occupational Health and other key stakeholders. 

• Act as the senior professional authority and advisor for Training Psychology, influencing organisational decision making and providing expert guidance to governance and leadership forums. 

Qualifications, professional knowledge and skills:

• An MSc (or higher) in a relevant psychology discipline such as Educational Psychology, Coaching Psychology, Aviation Psychology, Occupational Psychology or Applied Psychology. A Doctorate in a relevant psychology discipline is desirable.  

• Chartered status or demonstrable progression towards chartership in an appropriate professional body.  

• Significant experience applying psychology within performance, training or educational environments, including the provision of strategic leadership and professional expertise. Experience in an organisational context and in Human Factors is highly desirable. 

• A visionary and inspiring leader with the ability to motivate, influence and effect positive change. 

• Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively across professional disciplines and influence complex organisational systems. 

• Strong analytical and research skills, including programme evaluation, measurement of effectiveness and evidence-based decision making. 

• Experience leading organisational change and innovation within complex operational environments with a strong ability to create and articulate a clear vision and strategy. 

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to design and manage complex delivery programmes in psychology.  

• An excellent communicator with the skills to influence internal and external stakeholder at any level. 

Additional Information:

Please submit a cover letter with your application, any applications without a cover letter will be sifted out.

Please be aware this role will require travel to other NATS sites including Prestwick & Airports. 

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS? - NATS'

All staff at NATS are subject to UK Security Vetting and Clearance (SC) and must maintain valid clearance throughout employment. We are unable to progress applications where an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements for clearance. For further guidance click here Security Clearance - NATS

We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. We also welcome discussions on flexible working arrangements.

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.

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