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- Tasks: Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and drive business value at Heathrow.
- Company: Heathrow is the world's most iconic airport, committed to sustainability and exceptional passenger experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, performance bonuses, generous leave, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team making a real impact on aviation and sustainability while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in complex environments, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills are essential.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Introduction
Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this – providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.
Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It’s a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you’ll both take pride in and feel passionate about.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director of Process, Change and Readiness, the Head of Process Improvement owns the process improvement portfolio to generate value through process improvement across the business and operation. You will lead a team of continuous improvement & data professionals in the identification, development, and delivery of process solutions as well as data analytics services.
The role works collaboratively across the business to understand and prioritise opportunities, influencing solutions and working with business sponsors to deliver improvement and drive efficiency. As the Head of Process Improvement, you play a key role in defining and leading Heathrow’s Process Improvement strategy and operating model, encompassing people, process, tools, and data. You will support and influence across all departments, throughout the Heathrow supply chain and from within industry bodies to achieve the business priorities whilst staying aligned to the business values.
Success is defined by the realisation of business benefits, the continued development of a high performing team, and the advancement of the business towards a process centric culture.
Your role will involve
- Safety, Wellbeing, Leadership and Development of the Process Improvement Team & Analytics Team, defining the team philosophy and aligning to it
- Championing a business partnership approach with internal stakeholders by supporting their analytical needs with the right service offerings
- Ensuring key insights are communicated in a timely manner in digestible and visual formats that stakeholders can easily understand and apply
- Developing a clear understanding of business/stakeholder strategies & end user requirements to drive and optimise process solutions for the Heathrow operation
- Delivering process improvement initiatives to drive out business value and sustained improvement making use of data & insights to inform thinking and benefits assessment & realisation
- Championing and challenging process efficiency in all business areas – ensuring process change is considered and balanced alongside people, technology, and infrastructure to ensure best business value & outcomes
- Collaborating with the business change teams to ensure effective and embedded process delivery is transitioned into operational use as part of wider change initiatives
- Providing insight on best practice from wider industries and airports to inform relative benchmarking of Heathrow capabilities
- Championing a process fitness first approach, continually seeking to use data & business understanding to unlock new insights and improvement to business processes
These Skills Are Essential
- Senior level experience and proven track record in delivering results in a similar complex, multi-stakeholder environment
- Strategic thinker with the ability to think short, mid, and long term, identifying opportunities or areas for improvement
- Proven track record in leading and transforming teams to break down silos and promote colleague learning/development
- Ability and experience in influencing senior stakeholders to drive a culture change across the organisation
- Deciphers information and cuts through complexity to retain focus on activities driving the greatest improvement and impact
- Ability to lead complex projects from inception through completion, adaptable and able to work with ambiguity, resourcefulness, and flexibility
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with an eye for detail
- Commercial acumen to drive the right outcomes on time and on budget, balancing pace with cost and efficiency
- Creates energy behind initiatives by being an ambassador for change and improvement with personal drive and passion to succeed
About Us
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.
Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.
It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.
Join us on that journey and we’ll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.
Our rewards
We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.
Working Location
Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.
Sustainable Travel to work
Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Process Improvement employer: Heathrow
Contact Detail:
Heathrow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Process Improvement
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Heathrow's current process improvement initiatives and sustainability goals. Understanding these will help you align your experience and ideas with their strategic objectives during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the aviation and process improvement sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the challenges and innovations within the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through complex projects and influenced stakeholders. Highlight your ability to drive cultural change and improve processes, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on best practices in process improvement from other industries and airports. Being able to share relevant benchmarks and innovative ideas can set you apart as a candidate who brings valuable insights to the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Process Improvement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Process Improvement position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in process improvement, team leadership, and stakeholder management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive efficiency and deliver results in complex environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for sustainability and improving passenger experiences. Mention how you can contribute to Heathrow's goals and values.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is essential for this role, ensure that your application materials are well-organized and free of errors. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heathrow
✨Understand the Business Context
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of Heathrow's operations and its commitment to sustainability. Familiarize yourself with recent projects and initiatives that showcase their focus on process improvement and efficiency.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams in complex environments. Highlight your ability to break down silos and promote a culture of continuous improvement, as this is crucial for the Head of Process Improvement role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
During the interview, illustrate your strategic thinking skills by discussing how you've identified opportunities for improvement in past roles. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you prioritize initiatives to drive business value.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely. Use visual aids or examples to convey complex information in a digestible format, showing that you can communicate insights effectively to stakeholders.
