Senior Director Flight Operations

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If you are passionate about making a real difference and contributing to something bigger, then come join our DHL Air Austria team and become our next Senior Director Flight Operations!
ABOUT US
DHL Air (Austria) GmbH is a cargo airline founded in 2021 and a proud subsidiary of the DHL Group. Our primary focus is operating within the European network with a modern fleet of Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft.Our headquarter is located in Vienna, with our main crew base in Leipzig, where we deliver on our customer promise: Excellent. Simply Delivered.
The Senior Director Flight Operations is appointed by the Accountable Manager. The Senior Director Flight Operations is the Nominated Person "Flight Operations" according to EASA ORO.AOC.135 and must be acceptable to the Competent Authority.
The Senior Director Flight Operations advises the Accountable Manager on operational matters and flight operational policies and is ultimately responsible for all decisions in Flight Operations to ensure the highest possible level of safety and compliance.
MAIN TASKS & ROLE
Operations:

• Ensures the safe and efficient operation of the Flight Operations Department within the limits set by legal and operational criteria;
• Is responsible for the conduct of operations control;
• Identifies the necessary resources required to meet planned programs and ensure these resources are available;
• In coordination with the Maintenance Department ensures that DHA aircraft are adequately equipped for safe and efficient flying;
• Ensures in cooperation with the relevant departments that the agreed level of punctuality, regularity and customer care is achieved;
• Closely monitors aviation development in order to achieve operational improvement concerning quality, as well as economics;
• Publishes necessary directives and information for the Flight Operations Department;
• Sets, monitors and controls operational standards of efficiency, safety, security and training;
• Ensures that adequate auxiliary services are available as needed for an efficient flight operation;
• Actively steers Fuel Optimization together with DHA flight operations and crew members;
• Is responsible for the usability of aerodromes for company operations in accordance with company regulations, determines restrictions for their use and lays down the appropriate aerodrome operating minima;
• Is responsible for the usability of areas and airways to be utilized for the company`s flight Operations, and to establish minimum flight altitudes;
• Ensure that operations are only conducted along such routes and within such areas for which:
  • Ground facilities and services; including meteorology services are provided and are adequate for the planned operations;
  • Performance of the airplane to be used is adequate to comply with minimum flight altitude requirements for the planned operations;
  • Current maps/charts are available;
  • Appropriate limitations are met.

Leadership and Personnel Management:

• Performs and delegates crew management to Senior Manager Fleet and Pilot Managers;
• Ensures that all Flight Operations department personnel, either ground or flight staff, are always competent and fit to perform their duties;
• Ensures function Flight Dispatch, Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, Flight Operations Support and IT are performed to regulatory, industry and DHA standards;
• Regularly checks the effective employment of DHA flight crew resources, which are planned under the responsibility of Crew Planning;
• Establishes and conducts/delegates regular performance reviews for cockpit crews and Flight Operations management;
• Ensures pilot uniforms are available and worn according to DHA standards

Safety & Security:

• Maintains a reporting system and distributes reported items for information and further action;
• Establishes and monitors appropriate procedures for the handling of accidents and incidents in cooperation with Safety;
• Promotes safety in his/hers area of responsibility;
• Ensures the actual management of Flight Deck Security;
• Contributes to risk evaluations and assessments;
• Contributes to safety investigations;
• Manages risks in his area of responsibility.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Determines all flight operational policies, standards and practices, and ensures their compliance with all relevant national and international regulations and with the provisions of the AOC;
• Assures regular review and revision of the operations manual parts A-C;
• Liaises with the Authority in all matters affecting the AOC, ensuring compliance with the AOC terms and conditions;
• Evaluates reports and findings;
• Ensures closure of compliance findings and/or non-conformities;
• Initiates corrective action resulting from compliance audits of the Flight Operations Department;
• Ensures contracts (LIDO, Netline, AIMS, HW; Boeing,...) are in place according to DHL and DHA governance;
• Establishes data for cosmic radiation reporting from AIMS;
• Is responsible for implementation and update of the DHA Jump-Seat Policy.

Financial:

• Defines a yearly budget for Flight Operations and IT;
• Establishes and maintains a system for cost control of all functions within the Flight Operations Department;
• Regularly evaluates cost optimization opportunities;
• Holds a Power of Attorney for submission of manuals and general coordination with Austro Control as competent on behalf of DHA together with another signatory ("Prokura");
• Issues directives, work instructions and guidelines for flight Crew and his/her team;
• Defines all aspects of the crew management strategy and programs;
• Implements the flight operations procedures, compliant to regulations, according to DHA standards and regularly updated;
• Issues communication instructions to flight crew members;
• Leads the flight operations organization;
• Supervises and controls flight operations activities;
• Assigns responsibilities for liaison with regulatory authorities;
• Complies with relevant ISRPS for IOSA certification;
• Determines suitable procedures to ensure performance of services;
• Defines processes required for flight operations and flight crew management.

Delegation:

• In their absence, the NPFO will delegate of day-to-day management of Flight Operations to the deputy NPFO.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Regulatory requirements:

• Practical experience and expertise in the application of aviation safety standards and safe operations practices;
• Comprehensive knowledge of:
  • the applicable EU safety regulations and any associated requirements and procedures;
  • the AOC holder's operations specifications; and the need of, and content of, the relevant parts of the AOC holder`s operations manual;
• Familiarity with management systems preferably in the area of aviation;
• Appropriate management experience, preferably in a comparable organisation; and
• 5 years of relevant work experience, of which at least 2 years should be from the aeronautical industry in an appropriate position;
• The nominated person should hold or have held a valid flight crew license. If the license and ratings are not current, the deputy should hold a valid flight crew license and the associated ratings.

Company Requirements:

• A minimum of 5 years` experience as Captain in CS-25 aircraft (MTOW > 50 tons), with a minimum of 2 years' experience as a Chief Pilot or equivalent function;
• EASA ATPL with a valid type rating on B757/767;
• English proficiency level 4 or above endorsed in the license;
• Sound understanding of flight Operations processes and procedures and organizational requirements, quality assurance and safety implications;
• Completed degree in Aviation Management, Aeronautical Engineering, or similar relevant scope;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the international regulatory framework plus European and Austrian legislative and other statutory requirements;
• Strong interpersonal and people management skills;
• Leadership qualities and track record of managing teams as well as the ability to perform in a team;
• Social and communication competencies in a senior management environment:
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure;
• Good skills in negotiations;
• Innovative in finding solutions and ability to think outside the box;
• project management skills; and
• Flexible and willing to travel.

Additional requirements:

• Strong interpersonal and people management skills;
• Leadership qualities and track record of managing teams as well as the ability to perform in a team:
• Social and communication competencies in a senior management environment;
• Project management proficiency;
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure;

OUR OFFER

• A modern, newly designed office located directly at the Vienna Airport with excellent public transportation connections
• Attractive employee benefits, including airport shipping discounts, access to myIDtravel, corporate benefits, supported Klimaticket or parking options, Edenred vouchers and much more
• A responsible leadership role with room to shape processes and make decisions
• The opportunity to lead, motivate, and develop a dedicated team, both professionally and personally
• A varied and challenging role in an international aviation environment
• Close collaboration with different departments and senior management
• Individual training and professional development opportunities
• A collaborative working environment that encourages initiative, teamwork and continuous improvement
• An attractive compensation package in line with your qualifications and experience