Director, Ground Operations

Flair Airlines Ltd. • Edmonton, AB

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Flair Airlines is seeking a Director, Ground Operations to join their Airport Operations team. This role provides strategic leadership and oversight of airport operations across various station tiers and baggage operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and consistent delivery of ground services. The Director will lead and develop a team of operational leaders, drive consistency, ensure regulatory compliance, manage vendor performance, and foster continuous improvement. This position is crucial for supporting the company's operational, commercial, financial, and customer service objectives, and will involve executive leadership during operational disruptions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and extensive leadership experience in airline, airport, or ground operations will be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in airline, airport, or ground operations, including responsibility for multi-site operational oversight.
• Demonstrated experience leading airport operations across multiple domestic and/or international stations within a complex, safety-sensitive, and customer-focused environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing operational leaders responsible for geographically dispersed teams and multiple operational functions.
• Experience establishing operational strategies, performance standards, and governance frameworks that improve safety, operational reliability, customer service, and financial performance.
• Experienced in Ground Handling Request for Proposal (RFP) development and Standard Ground Handling Agreement (SGHA) implementation.
• Demonstrated experience managing operational and capital budgets, workforce planning, resource allocation, and organizational performance.
• Experience overseeing contracted ground handling providers, baggage service providers, and other operational vendors, including performance management and contract compliance.
• Experience building collaborative relationships with airport authorities, regulatory agencies, government organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Safety Management Systems (SMS), airport operational standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational change, continuous improvement initiatives, and organizational transformation within a regulated aviation environment.
• Experience leading operational response during irregular operations (IROPs), emergency events, and business continuity situations.
• Experience using operational performance metrics and data analytics to support strategic decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Clear criminal record check and satisfactory employment references.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada without restriction.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience within a Canadian airline is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership across geographically dispersed airport operations while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Strong knowledge of airline ground operations, airport operations, ground handling services, baggage operations, and contracted service delivery models.
• Comprehensive understanding of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Safety Management Systems (SMS), airport operational standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to develop and execute operational strategies that improve safety, operational performance, customer experience, and financial results.
• Strong financial and business acumen, with experience managing budgets, forecasting, resource planning, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and talent development skills, with the ability to build high-performing teams and develop future leaders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate operational data and implement effective, sustainable solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, airport authorities, regulatory agencies, contracted service providers, and cross-functional departments.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Proven project and change management skills, with the ability to lead complex operational initiatives and organizational transformation.
• Ability to lead effectively during irregular operations (IROPs), emergency situations, and high-pressure operational environments.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams, with experience using operational reporting and performance management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Company's ground operations across Tier 2 and Tier 3 stations, international stations, and centralized baggage operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operational performance.
• Establish and execute the operational strategy, performance objectives, and business priorities for the ground operations network in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop the General Manager, Regional Managers, Airport Operations, and the Manager, Central Baggage Operations & Tracing, fostering leadership capability, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Establish operational performance standards and monitor key performance indicators, including safety, on-time performance, baggage performance, customer experience, financial performance, operational reliability, and employee engagement.
• Oversee operational performance across the international station network and Tier 2 and Tier 3 stations, ensuring consistent execution of company standards, policies, and service expectations.
• Provide strategic oversight of the centralized baggage operation, ensuring effective baggage recovery processes, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives that support operational reliability and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve safety, operational efficiency, service delivery, baggage performance, and cost effectiveness across the ground operations network.
• Oversee workforce planning, organizational structure, succession planning, and resource allocation to ensure operational readiness and long-term business sustainability.
• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental operating and capital budgets, ensuring sound financial stewardship, cost control, and effective utilization of resources.
• Oversee the performance of contracted ground handling providers, baggage service providers, and other operational vendors, ensuring contractual obligations, service level agreements, safety standards, and operational expectations are consistently achieved.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with airport authorities, regulatory agencies, government organizations, and key external stakeholders to support operational performance and future business growth.
• Ensure all ground operations are conducted in accordance with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), international regulatory requirements, Safety Management System (SMS) requirements, company policies, and all applicable legislative obligations.
• Provide executive leadership during irregular operations (IROPs), major operational disruptions, and emergency response activities, ensuring coordinated operational recovery and business continuity across the network.
• Lead operational governance through the review of audits, investigations, performance data, customer feedback, and operational trends, implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives where required.
• Partner with Operations Control, Flight Operations, Maintenance, In-Flight, Commercial, Customer Experience, Safety, Security, Finance, and other corporate departments to support integrated operational planning and achieve organizational objectives.
• Lead the implementation of strategic operational initiatives, technology enhancements, organizational changes, and business improvement projects that strengthen operational performance across the airport network.
• Prepare and present operational, financial, and performance reports to the Vice President, Airports, providing strategic recommendations to support business objectives and long-term operational success.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of the Ground Operations portfolio.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Salary
• Competitive medical and dental coverage
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee & family assistance program
• Pension plan with employer-matched contributions
• Unlimited Travel Perks – Enjoy free and discounted flights for you and your travel companions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director