Position Summary

 

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President Operations at company is responsible for the safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective development and operation of the airline. In so doing, the EVP-Operations oversees all the key operating dimensions of the carrier including flight operations, technical operations, guest service (on airport), in-flight service, cargo operations, the Guest Experience team and the operations control center.

 

The EVP Operations is a two year full time contract with opportunity to review based on business needs and will be based at company corporate headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with domestic and international travel consistent with the nature of the role. Given the nature of the role, this position is regularly “on call” and occasionally works evenings, weekends and holidays. This position may be considered for a flexible or compressed work schedule.

 

A competitive compensation package will be negotiated based on experience and qualifications with a base salary in excess of $198,900 annually. This position is eligible for a performance bonus as per company's compensation policy and the Total Rewards program that includes the following: extended health, emergency travel medical, dental, vision, short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D).

 

 

Responsibilities

 

· As a senior member of the top leadership team, contribute to the overall strategic direction and business plan of company by participating in the ongoing planning process which produces a clear and compelling corporate vision, and mid- and long-term business objectives.

· Based on the broad direction provided by the strategic plan, develop and gain approval for the airline’s annual operating plan and operating budget.

· Manage ongoing operating performance against the plans and budgets above, on a quarterly, monthly, and weekly basis.

· Manage and continuously improve operational performance on key dimensions such as completion factor, on-time performance, CASM, customer satisfaction, and employee satisfaction and morale.

· Provide timely and accurate reporting of operating results and other special projects and initiatives under his or her direction.

· Working through his/her operational leadership team, oversee the day-to-day operations of the carrier, ensuring adherence to high levels of safety, customer service, on-time and cost performance. Display a real and ongoing concern for the delivery of outstanding customer service and operating integrity by evaluating daily operating performance and spending time “in the field.”

· Manage the core operating functions of the company:

o Flight Operations

o Operations Control Center

o Technical Operations

o Guest Services (on-airport)

o In-Flight Guest Services

o Cargo Operations

o Systems Operations Control

· Working through his/her operational leadership team, provide active leadership in the resolution of operational issues as they arise, deploying his or her specific expertise and bringing in others as needed.

· Serve as the key catalyst for introducing efficient thinking, approaches, practices, processes, tools and systems into the airline.

· Ensure that the airline meets all government and corporate regulations and policies on an ongoing basis. Address potential deviations immediately.

· Ensure that the airline has full emergency preparedness. Lead and manage the response process if and when emergencies occur.

· Develop and execute an organizational plan for the operating functions under his or her direction that details the organization’s personnel needs as a function of the airline’s strategic and operating plans.

· Provide strong, visible and inspired leadership to the vast majority of company’s employees, promoting and maintaining strong employee morale. Establish high expectations for all employees with regard to performance and adherence to company values.

· Serve as one of the primary points of contact with employee groups at company. Support the development and execution of labor strategies as required.

· Through his or her team, negotiate and oversee important third-party service arrangements with maintenance service providers, ground handling agents, airport operators and other parties.

· Manage relationships with senior representatives of various key constituents including employees, suppliers, regulators, local communities and suppliers. Alongside the President & CEO, serve as one of the key external ambassadors for the carrier.

 

 

Competencies

 

· Has displayed the ability to range from the highly strategic (“How should our operations be structured differently in five years’ time?”) to the strictly tactical (“Why did on-time performance slip two basis points last month?”) with facility and ease.

· Has demonstrated an ability to step into an established organization and its culture and to assert his or her leadership to move the organization in new directions, leveraging existing assets and expertise, while also introducing new ideas and fresh thinking.

· Capable of functioning as more than an operating executive, making key contributions to the broader leadership of the enterprise as a key business partner to the CEO and other senior executives.

 

Experience

 

· Airline industry experience, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience at the executive level and a well-established industry network and reputation.

· Broad-based airline operating knowledge and managerial experience, gained as a developing or seasoned airline operating executive across a number of areas, including flight operations, maintenance and engineering, airport customer service, in-flight service and system and operations control.

· Ideally, functional depth in flight operations and/or technical operations leadership.

· Ideally, but not necessarily, exposure to the low-cost/low-fare business airline sector.

· Prior experience with the systems, processes and tools deployed in larger companies.

· A track record of consistent performance improvement and delivery, minimizing the cost of operation, while delivering high levels of customer service. Has demonstrated an ability to “run the planes on time, day in and day out” in an efficient manner.

· Experience in keeping airline operating costs to an absolute minimum, identifying and pursuing creative means of cost containment and working with people and providers inside and outside the airline.

· Strong business and financial acumen, ideally with some direct exposure to business domains such as finance or commercial

· A track record of continually challenging the status quo, and pursuing new ideas and initiatives to reduce costs while enhancing customer service.

· Experience in deploying information and related technology to contain airline operating costs.

· A track record of working in a productive and collaborative manner with aviation regulatory authorities, with a strong reputation among the community, and ideally, exposure to Transport Canada regulations.

· Well developed people leadership skills and substantial people leadership experience, with an ability to motivate staff while holding them accountable for results.

· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with employees at all levels and a demonstrated track record of establishing and advancing progressive employee and labor relations.

· Comfort and experience working in an employee-centric corporate environment as characterized by the values and culture in place at company.

· Experienced at managing geographically dispersed workforces.

· A proven track in working effectively as a member of an executive or senior management team.

· An unblemished record as related to his or her ethical integrity and that of the organizations he or she has served.

· An undergraduate degree in business or economics or related field  

· A Law Degree or MBA is considered an asset but not required