The Director of Flight Operations is a strategic and operational leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of flight operations within the airline. This includes flight crew management, ground operations, engineering oversight, and the implementation of advanced aviation technologies. The role demands a deep understanding of the aviation industry, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and a strong command of enterprise-level aviation software platforms.
The Director will play a pivotal role in aligning operations with strategic business goals, driving digital transformation, and fostering partnerships with industry leaders such as Jeppesen, Boeing, Qatar Airways, and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with extensive experience in aviation operations, software integration, and cross-functional team leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the end-to-end flight operations, including pilot management, ground handling, and engineering coordination.
• Direct and mentor cross-functional teams, promoting a culture of accountability, innovation, and safety.
• Align operational strategies with organizational goals and KPIs.
Operational Excellence & Efficiency
• Drive operational performance by identifying inefficiencies and implementing process improvements.
• Ensure on-time performance, minimal disruptions, and proactive response to operational contingencies.
• Design and implement SOPs that reflect global best practices and align with IATA, GACA, and ICAO standards.
Software Systems & Digital Transformation
• Lead the deployment, integration, and optimization of aviation software systems including AIMS, Jeppesen, and other digital platforms.
• Oversee software-driven flight planning, crew scheduling, dispatch operations, and reporting.
• Collaborate with internal tech teams and external vendors to maintain robust, scalable systems for flight operations.
Compliance, Safety & Regulatory Governance
• Ensure 100% compliance with GACA, ICAO, and other international regulatory frameworks.
• Monitor flight crew training, licensing, and operational readiness.
• Update safety protocols regularly and lead internal audits and readiness assessments.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
• Serve as a primary liaison with external aviation stakeholders (e.g., Boeing, Airbus, Qatar Airways, Oman Air).
• Build collaborative partnerships with vendors (e.g., Jeppesen, AIMS) to improve software solutions and system integration.
• Represent the airline in industry forums, regulatory bodies, and business development initiatives.
Strategic Planning & Innovation
• Develop long-term operational strategies in line with company growth and fleet expansion plans.
• Lead the evaluation and implementation of emerging technologies (e.g., predictive analytics, AI-driven optimization, mobile-first crew tools).
• Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and capital expenditure forecasting.
Required Qualifications:
• 15+ years of experience in the aviation industry with at least 10 years in senior operational leadership roles.
• Deep operational knowledge of flight operations, engineering coordination, and ground handling.
• Proven expertise in using and managing aviation software platforms: AIMS, Jeppesen, flight data systems, crew scheduling tools, etc.
• Familiarity with aircraft types and OEM operations: Airbus, Boeing, etc.
• Experience working with or for major aviation players (e.g., Indigo, Saudia, Oman Air, Qatar Airways).
• Strong understanding of compliance, regulatory standards, and risk management in airline operations.
Preferred Skills & Competencies:
• Experience in Flutter-based mobile solutions and integration of digital systems into operational workflows.
• Strong project management and process optimization capabilities.
• Familiarity with DevOps principles, CI/CD pipelines, and secure software deployment in flight ops environments.
• Expertise in RESTful API integrations, backend services, and third-party system harmonization.
• Proven success in leading large teams, stakeholder communication, and change management.
• Business acumen in budgeting, KPI measurement, and aligning operations with revenue targets.
Skills
• Experience in Flutter-based mobile solutions and integration of digital systems into operational workflows.
• Strong project management and process optimization capabilities.
• Familiarity with DevOps principles, CI/CD pipelines, and secure software deployment in flight ops environments.
• Expertise in RESTful API integrations, backend services, and third-party system harmonization.
• Proven success in leading large teams, stakeholder communication, and change management.
• Business acumen in budgeting, KPI measurement, and aligning operations with revenue targets.
