Ground Handling Manager

Every year, Manchester Airport connects over 30 million passengers with more than 200 destinations across the globe. As the third largest airport in the UK, Manchester is also in the top 20 airports in Europe. Part of the largest UK owned airport operator group, MAG, Manchester Airport supports over 19,000 jobs onsite and generates around £7.75bn each year for the region. Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We are committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities. Our programmes include airport and airline decarbonisation, comprehensive education, skills and employment support and community engagement initiatives including volunteering opportunities.

At MAG, we recognise creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues and we are committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive. You’ll also have access to some great benefits including:

• Free parking
• Subsidised public transport
• Huge range of company discounts
• 2 volunteering days per year
• Free VirtualGP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Care Concierge service

The role

As a Ground Handling Manager you will play a key part of the Airport Operations Team overseeing the effective management of the Ground Handling Service License. You’ll be responsible for monitoring 3rd party service providers conformance with licensing requirements and the achievement of Minimum Airport Service Standards, and taking appropriate action to drive performance improvements where necessary. You’ll ensure Ground Handling Agent operational plans are fit for purpose through a comprehensive pre-season review of resource and recruitment plans, thus protecting and improving airport service standards for passengers, colleagues and stakeholders. Importantly you will work closely with our service partners to develop our future strategy for growth, fostering a strong spirit of collaboration and ambition across our airport community.

What will make you successful in this role

We’re looking for someone with experience managing multiple contracts or service level agreements and managing performance against agreed frameworks in a large and complex environment. You’ll have great stakeholder management skills and be able to influence at all levels, with experience of collaborating across multiple teams and stakeholders to develop initiatives to enhance operational performance and lead change. You’ll also need to be data literate and able to compose management information reports and condense data into high level presentations, which you’ll be able to deliver clearly and confidently, and be confident chairing governance forums with multiple partners and agencies, managing conflicting priorities and reaching the best outcomes for all parties. Experience managing budgets and audit processes would also be beneficial.

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

At MAG we believe in the importance of diversity & inclusion for all. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of our society. As such we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We’re also committed to well-being with a focus on mental health and supporting colleagues from underrepresented groups through our Colleague Resource Groups. As a Disability Confident employer we are committed to creating an environment where candidates and employees can perform at their optimum. Please let us know if we can provide you with any reasonable adjustments to aid your application or interview process.

Our Colleague Resource Groups include: Women’s Network, Embrace - Race & Ethnicity Group, Fly With Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mental Health, Parent & Carers, Disabilities including neurodiversity.