Station Manager (Interim)

Overview

Sole accountable manager for the Manchester Ground Handling operation. Responsible for all aspects of strategy, policy, and operational delivery at Manchester Airport for PrimeFlight Aviation, with a strong focus on safety and customer service performance through effective staff leadership.

Key duties include:

• Ensuring KPI delivery through efficient use of facilities, services and staff resources.
• Driving business growth via workforce development and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborating with central finance and commercial teams to manage financial and labor budgets while controlling costs.
• Maintaining compliance with government legislation and PrimeFlight Group policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and direct operational activities at Manchester Airport.
• Take primary responsibility for staff performance and adherence to the Safety Management System.
• Maintain relationships with customers, ensuring proactive communication and problem solving to prioritise customer needs.
• Build relationships with airport stakeholders and suppliers to seek opportunities for new business.
• Ensure procedures and processes comply with current legislation and internal policies.
• Address internal and external audit findings within agreed timescales.
• Conduct safety tours, inspections and audits as required.
• Ensure reporting and investigation of accidents, incidents and near misses as per company policy.
• Hold ultimate accountability for breaches of regulatory frameworks applicable to the operation.
• Drive high performance and service levels for all customers; meet objectives related to productivity, cost control, profit, and business growth.
• Deliver SLAs, including punctuality and service quality, and assess processes and systems for improvements.
• Lead evaluation, selection, governance and implementation of new business or projects to optimise capital use and execution.
• Improve operating costs and efficiency; enhance passenger experience and airside services.
• Drive safety performance improvements and adoption of best practices.
• Support the Regional Manager in achieving annual goals for Manchester Airport, including finance, labor utilisation, customer scores and business improvement.
• Manage the operational resource plan, rosters, and GSE allocation; ensure day-to-day services are delivered on time and to scope and cost objectives.
• Provide vision, leadership and line management for PrimeFlight Aviation Services staff; maintain regular staff communications (e.g., town halls).
• Ensure staff training and competence, with accountability for performance and development of a talent pipeline to meet demand and budget needs.
• Ensure plant and equipment are serviced and fit for purpose; monitor third-party contractors as appropriate.
• Liaise with the airport authority to ensure compliance and maintain strong relationships; uphold PrimeFlight’s standing with the authority.
• Maintain a strong focus on regulatory compliance and customer service excellence.

Your Experience

• Ability to deal effectively with difficult people and resolve conflicts with a proactive leadership approach.
• Excellent communication skills and a professional, collaborative leadership style.
• Strong, inspirational leadership with the ability to prioritise and improve customer relationships.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues and suppliers.
• Willingness to performance-manage and coach staff; effective written and verbal communication.
• Safety and service delivery focus; autonomous working capability; ability to interpret data and apply financial awareness.
• Ability to obtain an airport access pass; completion of A-Levels (or equivalent); experience in senior leadership/management (minimum 3+ years) and aviation (minimum 2+ years).
• Extensive experience leading teams in an airport environment; strong HR and Industrial Relations background; experience managing customer relationships and driving business growth.
• Proven ability to analyse Profit tertiary certification/qualification; project management or accounting qualifications.

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Management

Industries: Airlines and Aviation