Manager, Pilot Recruitment Programs Etihad Airways

Role Purpose

This role exists to design, manage, and continuously enhance Etihad s global pilot recruitment programs. You will lead recruitment strategy, pipeline development, assessment center design, and program governance for all pilot hiring initiatives - ensuring alignment with GCAA regulations, workforce planning targets, and Etihad s Journey 2030 growth ambitions.

While you will possess full-cycle recruitment experience, this position is program and project-focused rather than a traditional operational recruiter role. Much of the day-to-day assessment and technical evaluation is delivered by Flight Operations teams, and your role will be to ensure seamless coordination, consistent standards, and a strong pipeline of high-quality pilot talent.

You will bring structured program management skills, fresh thinking, and a continuous improvement mindset. You will be supported by colleagues with deep pilot recruitment expertise and are not required to be a technical subject-matter expert yourself (although you are willing to become one!)

Accountabilities

Strategic Program Leadership

• Contribute to the development and implement Etihad s multi-year pilot recruitment strategies to meet growth targets and future pilot workforce requirements.
• Lead pilot hiring programs end-to-end, ensuring processes are efficient, scalable, and aligned with Flight Operations needs.
• Partner closely with Pilot Selection, Training, and Workforce Planning to forecast hiring volumes and adjust sourcing and assessment strategies accordingly.
• Act as a key liaison between Talent Acquisition and Flight Operations to ensure alignment, consistency, and candidate quality across all hiring activities.

Pipeline Development & Market Insights

• Drive proactive sourcing strategies and global pipeline-building initiatives across target markets.
• Develop, maintain, and actively engage a global pool of current and future pilot talent, ensuring sustainable long-term access to qualified candidates aligned with Etihad s growth plans.
• Conduct ongoing market research into pilot supply, regional regulatory requirements, and competitor activity to guide sourcing and location strategy.
• Support the design of global outreach initiatives, including roadshows, partnerships, and events in key talent markets.

Assessment & Selection Program Management

• Design and maintain effective assessment center models and structured selection methodologies.
• Lead the planning, design, and governance of pilot assessment centers and outreach events, while technical evaluation components remain owned by Flight Operations.
• Ensure all processes uphold Etihad s standards for fairness, rigor, candidate experience, and regulatory compliance.
• Represent Etihad professionally during events, assessments, and engagement activities.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Identify opportunities to enhance recruitment efficiency, technology utilisation, candidate engagement, and conversion rates.
• Recommend and implement improvements to systems, reporting, workflows, and selection tools, leveraging data and analytics to guide decisions.
• Evaluate new recruitment tools, platforms, and assessment innovations relevant to pilot recruitment.
• Leverage recruitment technology platforms confidently, with a willingness to test, refine, and experiment with new tools and approaches. Maintain a continual improvement mindset to enhance program scalability, process efficiency, and the overall impact of pilot hiring initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Candidate Experience

• Act as the Program Lead for all pilot recruitment activities, ensuring clear communication and alignment with internal stakeholders.
• Provide accurate updates, insights, and reports related to pipeline strength, conversion rates, and hiring progress.
• Ensure an exceptional candidate experience from first contact through onboarding, reflecting Etihad s brand and service excellence.
• Build effective partnerships across Talent Acquisition, Flight Operations, HR, and other key departments.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor s degree is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, ideally including:
  
  • Talent acquisition, recruitment operations, or program management; or
  • Recruitment analytics, reporting, technology implementation, or talent project management roles.
• Experience in aviation, pilot recruitment, or the Middle East is beneficial but not required.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or managing assessment centers or structured selection programs.
• Strong project or program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous workstreams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities, with confidence presenting to groups and senior leaders.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and use insights to guide decisions.
• Ambassadorial qualities with the ability to represent Etihad professionally during events and candidate interactions.