Job Description

By providing strong regional direction, ensure that EKAS outstations achieve competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving airline environment for ground services. The position ensures that set regional strategies are clearly understood by all stakeholders and that the region achieves its strategic goals at the optimum pace. This position leads an extensive network of diverse outstations spread across different countries, ensuring highly productive relationships and partnerships with suppliers, key governmental authorities and airline bodies for the benefit of the organization. To lead and manage a diverse regional team, ensuring that the short and strategic long term EKAS targets for the region are achieved or exceeded and that the company ground services standards are maintained. All associated costs in the region must be minimised to support the overall airline objectives for increased revenue and profit.

Job Outline:

• Under the direction of DVP Outstations (EKAS), responsible for establishing regional and station short, medium and long-term strategies. Set appropriate contingency measures to secure Station and Regional long term positioning, profitability and image through a systematic evaluation of the market (Competitors, Governmental agencies, Ground Handling Agents, Various Suppliers, and various external influences).
• Negotiate periodically or as they become due Ground Handling Contracts and manage the contracts and relationships with all existing and future Strategic Sourcing Partners for passenger & ramp handling, cargo handling and cabin cleaning, so that EK flights are handled at the most competitive rates and our customers receive a consistently high level of ground service on the Network (recognising that the current value of Network ground handling contracts are almost AED 400+ million p.a. per region). Ensure suppliers deliver cost effective, high quality service and ensure that their performance is measured according to the service level agreements. Monitor and drive continuous Service improvements. Due to very high value and in line with policy, initiate and manage tenders supported by P&L.
• Provide leadership to Airport Services Managers and senior staff to achieve regional as well as station objectives and act as a point of reference for EKAS (Outstations) to resolve any issues impacting efficient operations. Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skills resources are maintained via appropriate and timely recruitment, training, and staff management, including motivational and disciplinary processes. Employ expert leadership mentoring and coaching techniques to appropriately manage a culturally diverse workforce in a high-pressure and challenging environment.

• Lead and manage implementation of start-up activities for launch of new stations, often in markets with no commercial representation nor having reliable knowledge of local business practices. Plan manpower and other resources, source office space, recommend office layout and related capital expenditure for approval. Recruit staff with required competencies. Mentor ASM on the importance to establish EK business processes taking commercial considerations but without compromising EK's interests.
• Develop and maintain country-wide & station wide networks and relationships with Senior Government officials, authorities, airlines, Ground Handlers and key travel industry representatives, appropriately involving the DVP Outstations (EKAS) to develop and exploit global business opportunities.
• Optimise operational costs and reduce per unit costs to sustain the exponential growth of Emirates Group without compromising on the quality of the sourcing services. Ensure that the entire operation is maintained under approved budget and constant improvements are made to all services offered. The job holder is the cost centre holder for the stations in the region and is responsible and accountable for achieving station budgets, both in terms of revenue and costs.

Develop and manage outstation systems strategy specifying outstation needs and any specific station requirements, ensuring systems functionality meets outstation requirements. Agree approach and implementation plans to roll out new system initiatives for stations ensuring minimal disruption to existing outstation activities and an easy transition to the new system. Facilitate culture changes and changes in mindset highlighting benefits to improve productivity in outstations. Co-ordinate with QA and station, keeping Manager Airport Services NCC up to date on length of impact and time frame for full rectification. If multiple departments are involved Senior Regional Manager Airport Services will coordinate a long term solution.

• Guide, motivate and mentor Airport Services Managers keeping Area Managers in copy on general management issues by providing formative feedback on functional and local objectives (through PM! And otherwise). Emphasise compliance to local policies and procedures and ensure effective communication between the Area Manager, FAM, Airport Services Manager, Cargo Manager & Engineering Managers. Communicate and solicit support from Commercial SVPs, Area Manager's to achieve EKAS objectives and priorities.
• Analyse monthly station reports and various other operational reports in order to review the performance of each station in areas relating to the achievement of KPIs and progress of customer service standards, excess baggage revenue targets and on going developments which impact the Station, so that effective control and remedial follow up is maintained from Head Office, which often includes making changes to procedures or introducing new methods, in order to achieve the desired results.
• Directs and manages development and completion of EK own lounges at outstations. Negotiate with Airport Authorities, secure suitable cost effective lounge space, develop project schedules and budgets, review project proposal plan, determine time requirements and allotment of available resources to various phases of the project, manage catering and other contracts, establish staffing for the lounge and arrange for recruitment, coordinate project activities with government regulatory agencies etc. Project value for EK lounge approx AED 10 million per lounge.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or Honours (12+3 or equivalent)

Experience:

• Airport Operations.Other : 10+ Years
• Relevant airline experience, having worked as a Station Manager in an operation involving a high frequency of wide bodied flights with large passenger and cargo loads.
• Knowledge/skills:
• This a broad band management job and the job holder must have advance level of negotiation skills and a seasoned, mature professional politically sensitive, culturally aware and have detailed knowledge of various country rules and regulations.
• Must have qualified to an expert level in Passenger Services, Cargo, Ground Operations and Weight & Balance.
• Must have extensive knowledge and experience of Departure Control Systems, Reservations Systems and Baggage Tracing.
• In addition to this a thorough knowledge of Flight Operations, mishandled baggage practices and an understanding of hardware/software/protocols related to airport systems is required.
• Must have detailed knowledge of and previous experience in the negotiation and the drafting of IATA.
• Standard Ground Handling Agreements.
• Strong business acumen is essential.

Salary & Benefits

Join us in a management role and enjoy an attractive tax-free salary. On top of our generous travel benefits, including discounted flights and hotel stays around the world, this managerial role also has an excellent leave and healthcare package. That’s on top of transport benefits, life insurance and more. Find out what it’s like to live and work in our fast-paced, cosmopolitan home city in the Dubai Lifestyle section of our website www.emirates.com/careers

Skills Required

• Airport Operations
• Airlines