Our client is looking to recruit a Head of Operations to join their growing team. Reporting to the General Manager, the chosen candidate will:
Operational Leadership & Service Excellence
- Direct and oversee all day-to-day ground handling operations, ensuring seamless ramp coordination, aircraft cleaning, turnarounds, and support services.
- Formulate, implement, and continuously refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational workflows to boost throughput, lower turn times, and elevate service quality.
- Ensure all operations strictly align with national civil aviation regulations, international aviation bodies (e.g., EASA, IATA), and airline customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement
- Partner with the Executive Committee to shape and execute strategic operational initiatives that foster business expansion and commercial competitiveness.
- Pinpoint operational bottlenecks, driving cost-effective, performance-oriented process improvements and Lean methodologies across all operational departments.
Resource Management & Fleet Oversight
- Direct comprehensive workforce planning, shift rosters, and budget controls to balance operational demand with optimal productivity.
- Oversee the lifecycle, preventive maintenance, certification, acquisition, and efficient deployment of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and specialized airside vehicle fleets.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a multi-tiered operational workforce, championing a culture centered on accountability, punctuality, and professional excellence.
- Establish clear performance standards, execute regular performance appraisals, and design targeted training and mentoring programs in coordination with HR.
Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Uphold an uncompromising airside safety culture in strict adherence to company safety management systems (SMS), airport authority protocols, and occupational health legislation.
- Conduct risk assessments, address safety audit findings immediately, and drive rapid corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) following incidents or near-misses.
KPI Performance Monitoring & Board Reporting
- Monitor, analyze, and benchmark key operational performance indicators (including On-Time Performance - OTP, turnaround adherence, baggage handling, and equipment uptime).
- Compile and present high-level operational performance metrics, variance analyses, and strategic roadmaps to Senior Management and the Board of Directors.
Crisis Management & Business Continuity
- Design, test, and maintain robust operational contingency and emergency response procedures to mitigate weather-related, technical, or unexpected airside disruptions.
- Liaise directly with airport authorities, civil aviation officials, airline representatives, and emergency services during active incidents to ensure fast, orderly resolution.
Requirements
- Proven track record of leading large, shift-based operational workforces with strong dispute resolution and team development capabilities.
- Demonstrated competency in workforce planning, CAPEX/OPEX budget oversight, GSE fleet maintenance management, and SLA delivery.
- Decisive leadership under pressure, with experience handling operational escalations, live airfield disruption management, and formal incident investigations.
Education and experience
- Extensive senior operational management experience. Exposure to aviation, ground handling operations, airline logistics, or high-tempo transport hubs will be given preference.
- Deep technical and regulatory familiarity with airside safety regulations, IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM), Ground Operations Manual (GOM), and civil aviation frameworks
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English; command of Maltese is considered a strong asset.
- Must be in Malta, holding the above valid experience locally.
