dnata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make. We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If you're inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.
On the ground, dnata USA keeps 27 of the country’s major airports connected – both with each other and the world - including John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. Handling 200,000 tonnes of cargo, guiding 15,000,000 passengers and keeping 50,000 flights in the air each year, the work that the dnata USA team complete on the ground is crucial to keeping the country in the air.
Director of Operations you will:
Based at JFK International Airport, our Terminal 8 Director of Operations will provide tactical and strategic guidance to achieve company goals spanning Terminal 8 Operations. You will be focused on continuous operational and business improvement and utilize your expertise in identifying key issues that impede current or future operations to provide solutions to complex problems within the aviation environment. You will be an essential partner in the development, execution, and communication of business strategies spanning multiple Airline customers to achieve consistent excellence in safety, service, and performance. You will consistently deliver our promises to our customers through effective leadership, colleague development, and customer partnerships. As a function of this position, you will engage, align, and influence internal and external business partners and stakeholders at every level to maximize results.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities you have:
- You must have 5+ years of experience in Aviation Ground Handling, specific experience in handling Wide Body aircraft, as well background in British Airways policies, procedure, and guidelines.
- Lead a safety centric culture through consistent execution and implementation of company programs and processes throughout the region.
- Communicate vertically and horizontally throughout the organization to ensure that management teams are informed of issues in the areas of safety, logistics, and planning.
- Ensure that facilities operate in compliance with all company policies and procedures, and adhere to the company's mission, vision, and values statements.
- Ensure consistent practices and processes are utilized in asset management, financial reporting, and state and local government regulations.
- Provide operational input for strategic business planning, technology integration, innovation, and process changes in facilities across the network.
- Develop teams to improve work performance and maximize potential through succession planning, KPI integration, coaching, ongoing training, and mentoring.
- Develop initiatives to improve cost performance and profitability through oversight and analysis of operational budget and utilize results to improve cost performance and profitability.
- Ensure all station management is knowledgeable of all SLA’s and SGHA’s for current and future customers and utilize these documents to deliver on our commitments to our customers.
- Lead the process of scheduling, rostering, and recruiting through consistent review of all station schedules by week, and hold teams accountable for proper rosters, compliance, and recruiting needs.
- Utilize business acumen to review and analyze operational, functional, and customer data, and partner with appropriate resources to execute informed business strategies.
- Schedule periodic communication with customers to ensure satisfaction and provide recognition or redirection to station teams.
- Partner with station & national equipment teams to review budgets, maintain station equipment plans, address issues. and anticipate capital requirements.
- Proactively communicate and partner with senior management team, as well as cross functionally with Commercial, Financial, HR, Safety, and other support teams, to ensure consistent understanding of corporate goals and requirements to achieve regional alignment.
- Carry out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
- Related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- 5+ years related experience or training in the ground handling and/or aviation business a must.
- Wide Body Aircraft Operations experience is required for this role.
- Experience with British Airways Operations required.
- Successful record of strategic and tactical operations management, with oversight of multiple locations and facilities.
- Knowledge of airport operations including asset management, system management, government regulation and compliance, budgeting, and expense analysis.
- Business and intellectual competencies include industry knowledge and understanding, negotiating, strategic and tactical planning, warehousing and logistics, problem analysis, written and oral communication, people development and creativity.
- Ability to analyze and evaluate customer needs to anticipate potential business opportunities.
- Possess/maintain a valid state driver's license and other FAA/Airport required identification/seals or authorizations.
- Travel as required.
