Director, Operations

About Vantage Group

Vantage Group is a global leader in airport and transportation investment, development, management, and advisor services.  Since 1994, Vantage's corporate and network-wide team has managed an award-winning portfolio, building strong partnerships that integrate global expertise and local know-how to solve complex transportation challenges at every network location.  Over three decades, Vantage has built a track record of creating customized solutions to transform airports and transportation centers that benefit the passengers, stakeholders, and communities they serve.  Vantage is a wholly owned strategic platform of Investcorp Corsair Infrastructure Partners for capital deployment in the airport and transportation sectors.  Visit vantagegroup.com to learn more.  

The Role

Reporting to the Vice President, Global Operational Services, the Director, Operations will be responsible for directing, planning and managing the operational objectives of the Vantage Network with a focus on the Canadian sites, supporting new business pursuits, and integrating new management service and advisory service contracts into Vantage.  In addition, the role will provide business and strategic support to the Canadian sites in Moncton, Kamloops and Fort St. John.

Duties and Responsibilities

Business Development

• In collaboration with Vantage business development and design/construction teams, participate in the pursuit of strategic projects and acquisitions for airport and other transportation hubs that fit within the Vantage strategic plan through development of operating plans and models.
• Support Advisory Services project pursuits through input on specific areas of Vantage core competence including integrated management systems, procurement and supply chain optimization, and operations and safety excellence.
• Operationalize projects added to the Vantage network by:
  • Implementing transition plans developed in collaboration with Operations colleagues to ensure seamless start-up of new projects.
  • Ensuring operations activities consistently meet the obligations and responsibilities of relevant agreements.
  • Establishing, managing and maintaining good relationships with stakeholders including regulatory bodies, airlines, concession operators, consumer groups and the airport business community.
  • Leveraging subject matter experts across the Vantage network to assist with establishing efficient operating programs.
• Leverage industry contacts and relationships to identify, quantify and capture strategic operations services opportunities and identify potential acquisition targets that could support growth of the Advisory Services business.
• Contribute to the development of a robust Advisory Services pipeline of new business opportunities through industry contacts and relationships.

Operations Delivery - Network

• Provides leadership in executing the vision and mission defined in the company’s strategic plan.
• Ensures the network operates safely, efficiently and securely, complying with all international/national regulations, standards and policies while applying best practices in airport management.
• Ensures the effective implementation of network-wide initiatives focused on regulatory compliance, innovation and operational and guest service excellence.
• Assists in developing policies and procedures, programs and proposed actions for the operations of network airports while ensuring the long-term business plan and strategic needs are taken into account.
• Ensure the efficient operation of the network through effective maintenance management systems including preventative maintenance, environmental management, emergency planning and guest focused programs.
• Provides leadership during airport emergencies, heightened security situations, severe weather operations and any incidents that could affect the wellbeing of the Vantage network.

Strategic Support and Operations Delivery – Canadian Sites

• Provide business and strategic support to the Canadian sites in Moncton, Kamloops and Fort St. John to ensure Vantage management services are delivered at the highest quality level and in alignment with corporate priorities.
• Support Managing Directors with oversight of operational aspects of the airport, including airside, landside and terminal operations, safety and security, regulatory compliance, emergency response and stakeholder management.
• Support the development of annual business plans and budgets (Opex and Capex), to ensure the Canadian network’s financial health over both the short-term and the long-term.
• Support the Canadian network in the development and delivery of long-range plans (strategic, operational, capital), policies and procedures.
• Ensure effective coordination of construction and infrastructure maintenance activities and projects on airside and groundside to minimize operational impact.
• Support the coordination of service delivery as required with applicable stakeholders, including Air Traffic Control, CATSA, airlines and tenants.
• Ensure all operational manuals and site reporting systems, including appropriate performance measurement tools, are regularly updated, trained and implemented.
• Other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position may be assigned.

Primary Qualifications

You have at a minimum, a Business degree (aviation / business / operations related) or equivalent and at least 10 years of experience in aviation, in roles with escalating responsibility in airport operations and people leadership.  In addition, you have:

• Significant experience developing policies and procedures that ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and international best practices
• Experience in project management required, including the delivery of large scale, high value projects or initiatives

About You

• Superior knowledge of operational functions and principles, including finance, customer service, production, and employee management
• Strong ethical leadership
• Superior interpersonal and negotiating skills in both internal and external settings
• Excellent oral and written communications
• Excellent analytical troubleshooting and creative problem-solving skills, with good judgment and sound decision-making in the absence of complete information
• Proven ability to support rapidly shifting business demands, increase efficiencies and streamline new processes through analysis and innovation
• Multi-tasking, action planning and prioritization skills
• Self-starter, able to work independently and work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to work in fast-paced, high stress environments
• Masterful organizational and administrative capabilities
• In-depth knowledge of diverse business functions and principles
• Statistical and analytical skills to evaluate data and performance/operational metrics
• Ability to work with multi-national teams and workgroups
• Effective and efficient facilitation of business meetings and workshops
• Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including finance, customer service, production, and employee management
• Thorough understanding of practices, and policies involved in business and finance
• Highly proficient in MS Office suite or related software [Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, Project]
• Willingness and ability to travel within North American and Internationally as required for site support and new business development

Primary Work Location: Remote / Hybrid 

What we offer

In addition to a competitive compensation and benefits package, career progression, and access to a global team of talented professionals, we are growing and offer boundless opportunities to make your mark. If you share our sense of adventure, come, and join us for the journey.  The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $200,000.

To apply

Please visit our Careers page at:

https://www.vantagegroup.com/careers/ and follow prompts to apply with your cover letter and résumé.

All qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in the US will be considered.

At Vantage Group, we seek and welcome unique backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and skills. As a global organization, we are always looking for differentiated points of view. We know that a diverse, inclusive and empowered workforce is essential to our shared success, and we invite you to join us for the journey.