Job Description

About the Job:

Pacific International has been retained by a global airline services provider and market leader undergoing rapid transformation and growth. As part of this momentum, the organization is seeking a seasoned and strategic Vice President of Operations to lead all aspects of operations at its most critical airport site. This flagship location supports the company’s most important customer and employs approximately 1,200 people. The site is essential to the company’s long-term success and is undergoing major investment and expansion to meet increased demand and service expectations.

In this senior leadership role, you will be responsible for the full operational performance of the site, drive continuous improvement, and lead transformation efforts. You will serve as the executive face of the organization to key stakeholders at the airport and with airline customers, ensuring operational excellence, service delivery, and long-term customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

Set and execute the site’s operational strategy in alignment with corporate goals, ensuring best-in-class performance and customer service delivery.

Site Operations Oversight:

Lead all functions at the airport site, including ground handling, ramp services, baggage operations, cabin cleaning, and logistics, ensuring safe, timely, and compliant service.

Financial Performance:

Own and manage a substantial site P&L (~$250M), driving financial discipline, cost control, and resource efficiency.

Customer Leadership:

Act as the senior executive interface for the site’s primary airline customer, ensuring exceptional service, issue resolution, and strategic collaboration.

Operational Excellence:

Implement process improvements and standardization initiatives to maximize efficiency, safety, and service quality in a 24/7, high-velocity environment.

Union Relations:

Operate effectively in a unionized setting, building constructive labor relations and ensuring workforce engagement and stability.

Site Expansion Leadership:

Lead major site expansion initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades, new service capabilities, and workforce growth, ensuring smooth execution.

Workforce Leadership:

Inspire, develop, and manage a team of ~1,200 employees, promoting a culture of accountability, safety, performance, and continuous improvement.

Compliance and Safety:

Ensure strict compliance with all FAA, TSA, OSHA, and airport authority regulations, maintaining a zero-incident culture and top-tier audit performance.

Talent Development:

Mentor and grow high-potential talent, building a strong leadership pipeline to support future organizational needs.

Qualifications:

• A degree in aviation management, business, logistics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience in the airline or airport services industry.
• Proven success managing large-scale, high-impact operations (1,000+ employees) and full P&L ownership ($100M+).
• Demonstrated leadership in unionized environments and deep experience with labor relations.
• Strong track record of leading major site expansions or operational transformation initiatives.
• Executive-level customer engagement experience with major airline clients.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational change management skills.
• A history of building and sustaining high-performing, safety-focused teams in complex, fast-paced environments.

Compensation range: $200,000 - 230,000 (on basic salary)

About Pacific International Executive Search:

Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.

Diversity Statement:

At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.

For further information on this position and a confidential discussion about your career please contact: adam.nuzie@pacific-international.com

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