Establishment Planning Manager

Establishment Planning Manager

Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
easyJet Airline Company PLC

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to ensure optimal crew planning for our flights.
  • Company: Join easyJet, a leading low-cost airline connecting millions across Europe.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, staff travel perks, and generous annual leave.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with a dynamic team environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the aviation industry while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in crew or resource planning; strong analytical and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

We are easyJet – a FTSE listed, £multi‑billion low‑cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every year. We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. Our mission is to make low‑cost travel easy – connecting millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

Read On If You

  • Have at least four years’ operational experience in crew planning, resource planning, crewing or a similar industry role.
  • Enjoy leading teams, driving process improvements, and collaborating across functions.
  • Are comfortable working in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and can balance operational, strategic, and commercial needs.
  • Can be in our Luton head office 3 × per week.

The Team

The Establishment function sits within the Crew Planning team as part of the Operations Strategy & Planning department. You’ll report to the Senior Establishment Planning Manager and lead a team of Senior Establishment Officers and Establishment Officers. This cross‑functional role works closely with Operations, Finance, HR, and Commercial teams to deliver the right crew numbers for our flying programme.

The Role

As Establishment Planning Manager, you will ensure we have the right number of crew to operate our commercial flying plan. You’ll coordinate planning activities, manage and develop your team, and oversee the delivery of the crew establishment plan. You’ll lead regular cross‑functional meetings, provide key reporting to stakeholders, and ensure our planning tools and processes are accurate and up to date. You’ll also drive continuous improvement, support annual budget production, and play a key role in developing recruitment and training plans.

  • Manage, develop, and engage Senior Establishment Officers and Establishment Officers.
  • Track the establishment plan and key KPIs, adapting to evolving assumptions and external factors.
  • Lead cross‑functional review meetings and provide regular reporting to stakeholders including Recruitment, Training, Flight Ops, Cabin Services, HR, IR, and Finance.
  • Review monthly establishment positions with Crew Planning teams to ensure accurate forecasts and timely optimisation.
  • Highlight resource hotspots and develop plans to address them, including temporary basing or proactive crew tripping.
  • Produce the annual crew establishment budget and develop recruitment and training plans.
  • Ensure internal audits of headcount and base transfer data are completed and planning tools are accurate.
  • Collaborate on the development of enhanced tools and reporting to support establishment planning.
  • Keep establishment processes and documents up to date for team operations and training.
  • Carry out ad hoc activities as required.

Requirements of the Role

  • Educated to degree level or with equivalent business experience.
  • Minimum four years’ operational experience in crew planning, resource planning, crewing or a similar industry.
  • Strong business planning skills and ability to balance operational, strategic, and commercial needs.
  • Proven experience in a numerical, analytical, and problem‑solving role.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly to senior stakeholders.
  • Strong capability in MS Office, especially Excel.
  • Experience of financial budgeting and forecasting in a multi‑faceted and changeable environment.
  • Understanding of crew scheduling and establishment drivers, with an appreciation of flight time limitations.
  • Resilience and ability to work under pressure.
  • Flexible attitude and ability to respond to changing demands and timescales.
  • Inspirational leadership and people management skills.

What You’ll Get in Return

  • Up to 20% maximum bonus.
  • PMI.
  • 7% pension contributions.
  • Excellent staff travel benefits.
  • 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
  • Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday.
  • Various flexible benefits and extras.

Practicalities

This full‑time role will be based in Luton and will be 40 hours per week. We support hybrid working and spend 60% of our time per month in the office.

Reasonable Adjustments

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at ma.recruitment@easyjet.com. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.

Establishment Planning Manager employer: easyJet Airline Company PLC

At easyJet, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that values innovation and teamwork. Our Luton head office offers a collaborative work culture where you can thrive in your role as Establishment Planning Manager, with opportunities for professional growth and development. Enjoy competitive benefits including a generous bonus scheme, excellent staff travel perks, and a commitment to work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements.

easyJet Airline Company PLC

Contact Details:

easyJet Airline Company PLC Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Establishment Planning Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at easyJet on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research easyJet’s operations, values, and recent news. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission of making low-cost travel easy.

Tip Number 3

Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and driven process improvements in past roles. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to balance operational and strategic needs.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the easyJet team.

We think you need these skills to ace Establishment Planning Manager

Operational Experience in Crew Planning
Resource Planning
Team Leadership
Process Improvement
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Establishment Planning Manager role. Highlight your operational experience in crew planning and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your experience aligns with our mission at easyJet. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of numerical and analytical work, make sure to showcase your problem-solving abilities. Mention specific examples where you've used data to drive decisions or improvements in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there.

How to prepare for a job interview at easyJet Airline Company PLC

Know Your Numbers

As an Establishment Planning Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with data. Brush up on your numerical and analytical skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive decisions or improvements.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience. Think about times when you’ve inspired your team or led cross-functional projects. Highlight your ability to engage and develop others.

Understand the Business

Familiarise yourself with easyJet's operations and the airline industry as a whole. Knowing how crew planning fits into the bigger picture will help you answer questions more effectively and show your genuine interest in the company.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think through potential challenges in crew planning and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.