Chief Executive Officer, dnata USA

Job Purpose

dnata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make. We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If you're inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.

As CEO dnata USA you will be responsible for the overall strategic direction, economic performance, organisational sustainability and long-term development and profit of the dnata’s USA portfolio and manage entities that include ground handling, logistics, and cargo businesses. It sets and executes the country business strategy, drives operational excellence and commercial growth, delivers customer-focused services, while ensuring full compliance with aviation, safety and regulatory standards. The CEO represents dnata to government, regulators, customers, airport authorities and key partners and carries full accountability for the P&L and long term business performance. The role will be based in our USA headquarters in Orlando, with frequent travel required as necessary.

In this role, you will

• Lead the USA business strategy, five-year plan and long-term roadmap in line with dnata’s global direction and Board priorities. Partner with the Regional CEO and DSVP Airport Operations to drive growth, financial performance and cash generation, responding to market, regulatory and operational change.
• Turn strategy into clear priorities across the business. Lead transformation through automation, digitalisation and process improvement, with an operating model and workforce plan that support reliable delivery and future growth.
• Ensure safe, reliable and efficient service across ground handling, logistics and cargo operations, meeting customer, regulatory, safety and security requirements while improving productivity and quality.
• Own the dnata USA P&L and delivery of revenue, profit, cash, capital efficiency and sustainable returns. Lead tender performance, contract delivery, pricing, new lines of business and revenue growth.
• Develop and present annual budgets covering consolidated profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow, with clear investment, staffing and productivity plans for each business.
• Ensure compliance with dnata’s governance frameworks, including ‘The dnata Way’ and GCAM, and oversee risk across safety, operations, finance and regulation. Make evidence-based decisions within delegated authority while balancing current performance with long-term organisational, environmental and social sustainability.
• Champion a strong safety culture and adherence to aviation standards. Oversee incident prevention, executive-level investigations, organisational learning, safety systems and reporting.
• Lead business continuity and crisis response, maintaining operational performance, customer service and organisational focus during disruption.
• Lead, develop and empower the executive management team. Set clear targets, hold leaders accountable and build a culture of collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement and commitment to dnata’s values.
• Oversee organisational design, succession planning and capability development for critical roles. Communicate priorities clearly and sustain engagement across the multi-site organisation, particularly through change.
• Build relationships with existing and prospective customers, shareholders, airport authorities, regulators, border agencies, institutions and industry partners. Act as executive sponsor for strategic customers and major partnerships, and promptly inform the Board of matters that could substantially affect the business, its reputation or licence to operate.
• Perform any other responsibility or duty delegated by the Board from time to time.

Qualification

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:

• A degree or honours qualification in Business, Finance, Operations or a related field, with at least 12 years’ experience in logistics, aviation, ground handling or airport operations with an international airline, including at least six years leading a business at C-suite level.
• Experience of USA laws and regulations, including aviation insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, health care, employment law and Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance.
• Strong knowledge of airport handling operations and the commercial judgement to oversee multiple businesses, supported by advanced budget and cost control skills and the ability to analyse complex financial data.
• Experience leading multifunctional teams in a matrix organisation, with the judgement to set direction amid ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Executive presence and clear, credible communication, with the ability to influence and negotiate with Boards, shareholders, senior leaders, customers, employees and external stakeholders.
• Experience applying technology and automation in operations, advanced IT and computer literacy, and strong project management skills. Experience of greenfield projects or business start-ups would be an advantage.
• Excellent safety awareness, resilience and decisiveness in high-consequence situations, with strong integrity and personal accountability.
• The ability to obtain and maintain the airport passes required for the role, and a valid driving licence.
• Legal right to work in the United States of America

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary & benefits

Annual base salary is USD 320,000 to USD 350,000. Eligible for Company incentive bonus and participation in executive benefit programs, subject to plan terms