Managing Director UK and Europe Operations

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you. 

The Managing Director, UK and Europe Operations sets the long-term strategy and oversees the regional operational and financial performance of the Airport Operations & Customer Service (AOCS) division at Alaska Airlines (AS). The role also serves as the cross divisional liaison for all divisions locally, ensuring smooth operations and strong government relationships. As a people leader, this role establishes strategic goals and direction for a team of regional and/or station directors who oversee the Alaska Airlines airports within their region(s).

• Establish strategic goals and direction for the Alaska Airlines operations teams to improve safety, operational, people, and financial performance.
• Collaborate with respective government and airport officials to influence across the company and provide strategic recommendations to enterprise leaders ensuring our operation has the resources necessary to run efficiently with the utmost safety standards while providing our guests with a remarkable experience.
• Oversee implementation plans and procedures for new station operations, as well as ensure effective communication with vendor, frontline and field supervisory staff.
• Model company’s shared culture, values and Alaska Leadership Principles through action, presence, and reinforcement of behaviors.
• Direct cross-divisional and vendor teams within the UK and Europe to meet and sustain operational metrics.
• Ensure compliance and regulations align with expectations across the region.
• Oversee and implement operational plans to ensure stations meet performance objectives and compliance guidelines.
• Represent the company and engage with community leaders to support launching and scaling a new operation ensuring success for Alaska Airlines.
• Oversee station start-up and facility planning to ensure optimum efficiency, productivity, and financial performance within the regions.
• Approve and manage regional budgets aligned to division goals and financial objectives.
• Participate in interviewing and hiring new management positions for all stations, aligned with approved management planning and people strategy.
• Collaborate with other departments to provide assistance and ensure all start-up requirements are met.
• Liaise with all stations and regions to ensure support services are provided consistently.
• Develop people through effective performance management and ongoing feedback, focusing on fostering strategic and systems thinking, development of talent, and succession planning across teams and functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

This list of duties is not exhaustive and may change at the sole discretion of the Company in accordance with Company needs and organizational or business requirements.

Required:

• A minimum of 10 years of operations or customer service experience in a fast-paced environment with some of those years working with cross-functional teams.   
• A minimum of 5 years of people leadership experience, preferably managing large groups of employees and leading multiple functions.
• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent professional experience in airlines or a similar operational environment. Willingness to attain a degree within six years of date of hire may be required for long-term advancement.
• Working knowledge of fiscal control systems, staffing processes, safety, and security compliance.
• Strong understanding of compliance and airline industry standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to drive outcomes in the best interest of the company directly (particularly with direct reports) and indirectly with others in the organization (e.g., executive sponsors, sponsors, or other stakeholders).
• Ability to proactively influence operational outcomes, to set strategy, and to develop and monitor action plans to execute that strategy.
• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and verbal).
• Solid understanding of international aviation regulations, including those set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Familiarity with passenger rights, customer handling standards, and operational compliance in regions such as the United Kingdom and Italy is essential.
• Must possess a valid passport or national ID that meets Schengen Area and UK travel requirements. If air travel is required, must be able to comply with local entry and exit documentation standards, including visa eligibility and biometric registration where applicable.
• Must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom and/or specified European countries. Sponsorship for a work visa may be available for qualified candidates, subject to local immigration regulations.
• Must meet airport security clearance requirements associated with access to restricted airside zones within the relevant airports.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively (70-80%), including to/from the United States, as necessary for company business.

Preferred:

• Experience managing multi-site operations.
• Experience defining and leading engagement with employee representatives and trade unions.
• Demonstrated leadership cultivating and motivating teams of high performing individuals, including effectively leading through managers of managers.
• Proven change management skills and a thirst for applying research and best practices to existing business problems.
• Demonstrate executive-level presence with exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong public speaking abilities, and a proven capacity to influence and inspire diverse populations.

• Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
• Innovative, apolitical, resilient, fact-based, and a creative, solutions-focused mindset, with ability to thrive in a rapidly changing, collaborative environment and to manage conflict.
• Proven ability to leverage business acumen and analytic capability to position the organization as a change agent and key business partner

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

• Competitive compensation 
• Comprehensive well-being programs
• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air

 
For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement  

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief;  race  including color, nationality, ethnic or national origin; age; sexual orientation; whether they are pregnant or on maternity leave; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment.