Head of Airside

London, England, United Kingdom

12/11/2024

Swissport is seeking an exceptional leader to join our team as Head of Airside at London Heathrow. Reporting directly to the Station Manager, this pivotal role involves overseeing operational excellence, safety, and efficiency within the station. The successful candidate will play a critical role in driving high standards of performance, team leadership, and customer satisfaction in one of the busiest and most dynamic aviation hubs in the world.

About Swissport

As a global leader in aviation services, Swissport operates at over 300 airports in 50 countries, offering world-class ground services and cargo handling. We pride ourselves on delivering safe, efficient, and innovative solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of our airline partners.

The Role

As the Head of Airside, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operational excellence of the station, ensuring the safety, profitability, and quality of services provided. The role will require a proactive, customer-centric approach to manage operations, optimize resources, and build lasting relationships with stakeholders. You will lead with accountability and demonstrate Swissport’s leadership competencies, including facilitating change, commercial acumen, decision-making, and performance management.

Responsibilities

Safety Leadership

• Ensure compliance with company policies, health and safety regulations, and industry standards.
• Implement and monitor emergency plans and safety procedures.
• Lead initiatives to enhance safety awareness and compliance across the station.
• Analyse safety KPIs, identify trends, and communicate findings to the team for continuous improvement.
  
  

P&L Management

• Assist in the preparation of annual operating budgets and provide insights to the Station Manager.
• Analyse financial and operational performance, forecasting trends, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Proactively identify opportunities to optimize cost efficiency and support business goals.
  
  

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Foster a positive work environment, maintaining clear communication with teams and stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with peers, customers, and external authorities, including trade unions and regulatory bodies.
• Lead by example, taking proactive measures to address conflicts, resolve issues, and drive team performance.
• Participate in internal and external meetings, representing the station effectively.
  
  

Operational Efficiency and Service Delivery

• Collaborate with planning teams to ensure optimal resource allocation, including manpower and equipment.
• Manage operations to consistently achieve high standards of safety, service, and efficiency.
• Monitor and control key performance indicators (KPIs) related to baggage handling, on-time performance, and other operational goals.
• Maintain and improve administrative and operational control procedures.
  
  

Business Growth and Strategy

• Demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking to identify growth opportunities and enhance business performance.
• Challenge operational norms to drive innovation and improvement.
• Build and strengthen customer relationships to align operational priorities with commercial objectives.
• Support new business ventures and contract renewals to achieve station-level P&L targets.
  
  

Relationship Building

• Cultivate trust and collaboration within the leadership team and central support functions, including Finance, HR, and QHSE.
• Maintain close relationships with airport authorities, customers, and regulatory bodies to ensure seamless operations.
• Drive a customer-focused culture across teams, consistently exceeding expectations and creating long-term value.
  
  

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned operations professional with strong leadership capabilities and a proven track record of success in managing complex, high-pressure environments.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Extensive experience in operational management, preferably within the aviation or logistics industry.
• Strong financial acumen and the ability to manage P&L responsibilities effectively.
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams.
• Proficient in resource planning, performance management, and delivering results against KPIs.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a strong customer orientation.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
  
  

Join us in delivering world-class aviation services at London Heathrow.