Director, In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity

Air Canada • Toronto, ON

3d

About The Position

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation.
The Director, Product Development – In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity (OnBoard 360) is responsible for the strategy, design, development, and delivery of Air Canada’s end-to-end in-flight digital experience across Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express. This includes ownership of all in-flight entertainment (IFE) and in-flight connectivity (IFC) systems, encompassing user interface development, hardware integration, software architecture, content management, and connectivity service delivery.
Leading both the Product and Engineering teams, this role ensures seamless collaboration between creative, technical, and operational functions to deliver world-class, reliable, and innovative onboard digital experiences. With investments in the hundreds of millions annually, the Director drives cross-functional execution with internal stakeholders, OEMs, and multiple technology partners to position Air Canada as a global leader in connected and personalized in-flight experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, or equivalent program and industry experience or related fields.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Product Design and Engineering, with specific experience in large-scale, cross-functional programs.
• Experience in the aviation or transportation industry is highly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and experience of Product Development.
• Strong understanding of design principles, airline product, and airline certification.
• Design acumen, with the ability to translate customer insights and brand directives into premium product designs.
• Strong understanding of, and experience in, the airline industry (passenger environment, sales and marketing structures, methodologies, overall objectives and strategies)
• Exceptional leadership skills with experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience in risk management, budget oversight, and long-term strategic planning.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to identify, develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives and drive overall efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability to develop long-term strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire, guide, and develop a high-performing teams.
• Experience in building cross-functional partnerships and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders across depts, branches and external partnerships.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Nice To Haves

• Industrial Design, and Engineering certifications are an asset.
• Demonstrated industry experience is an equivalent.
• Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the digital vision for Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment and connectivity experience. Ensure all initiatives align with brand, customer, and commercial goals while supporting a consistent and reliable onboard digital ecosystem.
• Lead the combined IFE & IFC Product and Engineering teams to design, certify, and operate next-generation systems. Ensure full lifecycle delivery—from early concept and technical architecture through certification, installation, and in-service operation.
• Oversee the development of new IFE user interfaces (UIs), ensuring intuitive, brand-aligned experiences that enhance customer engagement.
• Manage the specification, selection, and integration of IFE hardware including seat-back displays, servers, and network infrastructure.
• Oversee content loading, curation, and operational execution, ensuring reliability and efficiency in delivery.
• Leverage analytics and feedback to continuously evolve the entertainment experience and content strategy.
• Lead the operation and evolution of Air Canada’s global connectivity network across multiple providers (e.g., Starlink, Intelsat, Panasonic, etc.).
• Oversee service performance, uptime, and customer satisfaction through rigorous technical and commercial management.
• Drive multi-orbit, multi-provider strategies to ensure resilience, speed, and scalability across the fleet.
• Partner with OEMs, network operators, and regulators to certify and maintain connectivity systems on new and retrofit aircraft.
• Oversee a capital portfolio exceeding $350M annually for IFE and IFC programs. Optimize cost, supplier performance, and lifecycle value while ensuring premium service outcomes and competitive differentiation.
• Champion innovation in digital platforms, interfaces, and personalization tools. Integrate emerging technologies such as streaming, Bluetooth audio, seat-to-seat chat, and real-time flight engagement tools that strengthen Air Canada’s competitive position.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with IFE and IFC vendors, content providers, and OEMs. Negotiate commercial agreements, ensure service-level adherence, and foster long-term collaboration on technology roadmaps.
• Ensure best-in-class reliability and performance across all IFE and IFC systems. Drive robust monitoring, analytics, and maintenance practices to ensure consistent uptime and customer satisfaction.
• Guarantee that all systems and software operate in full compliance with safety, cybersecurity, and regulatory standards. Coordinate with Transport Canada, FAA, and other authorities on certification and service approvals.
• Inspire, develop, and manage a diverse team of product managers, software and systems engineers, and operations specialists. Build a culture that values innovation, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Use customer analytics, usage trends, and system performance data to guide feature development, investment prioritization, and continuous improvement across both entertainment and connectivity platforms.
• Partner with In-Flight Service and Brand teams to ensure IFE & IFC systems enhance the onboard journey for customers and simplify workflows for crew. Implement mechanisms to capture and act on user feedback.

Benefits

• Diversity and Inclusion: Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.
• As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

What This Job Offers

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