Head of Ground Operations Loading

**Head of Ground Operations - Loading (T5)**

This is an exciting time to be joining British Airways as we Build a Better BA - with a Better Heathrow at the heart of this. We take huge pride in our past - but we’re looking to the future as an airline that loves embracing the best of modern Britain. Our country’s creativity, diversity, style, wit and warmth are the same special qualities that make us who we are. If you’re made of the same qualities as us, you could soon be part of the next chapter of our story. Together as one team, we’re connecting Britain with the world and the world to Britain like no one else.

The Head of Ground Operations - Loading (T5) is a key member of BA’s Heathrow Leadership team, accountable for leading the departmental strategy and delivery of our below wing Aircraft Loading operation, with responsibility for inspiring a team of 700+ colleagues.

This is an outstanding and rare opportunity to join us in a key operational leadership role working closely with, and reporting to, the Director of Heathrow and senior operational colleagues to ensure safe, secure and punctual operations at our hub.

**About the role**
- Ultimate accountability for the leadership of the T5 loading department, through a team of senior operational, functional and transformational leaders.
- Develop and deliver the safety strategy for T5 loading operations, promoting our Just Safety Culture, ensuring continual learning and compliance with safety standards.
- Responsible for a safe, efficient and punctual loading operation at T5, including the shorthaul aircraft pushback operation.
- Leads continuous improvement initiatives to exceed key metrics, including operational performance, efficiency & productivity, and colleague engagement.
- Implement and evolve our zonal operating model, delivering performance improvement for our customers through engaged and flexible operational teams.
- Identify trends, through data analytics, to determine and prioritise transformation initiatives that will deliver a step change in operational performance.
- Partner with resourcing, allocation and finance to develop and deliver a robust end to end resourcing strategy to ensure operational resilience.
- Work in partnership with IAG Airports and other IAG Operating Companies, to identify and implement below wing technology to improve safety, operational performance and efficiency.
- Collaborative working with internal and external parties to ensure safe and successful operational delivery for our customers.
- Provision of regular strategic and operational updates up to and including the BA Executive Committee, BA Board and other senior stakeholders.
- Member of the senior escalation roster to support all Heathrow teams during crisis and disruption events, reporting updates into management committee.
- Senior point of contact for Trade Union National Sectional Panel representatives and attendance at quarterly forums with National Union officers

**About you**
- Operational experience in senior management role and extensive leadership and management capability.
- Excellent knowledge of airline and /or airport operations, preferably in a busy hub environment.
- All round knowledge working in large operational and complex environments.
- Excellent influencing, communication and networking skills at all levels.
- A passion for collaborating with colleagues and partners across BA, Heathrow airport and the wider aviation industry.
- Experience of working in a highly industrialised environment (essential).
- Able to identify underlying issues to business problems whilst prioritise safety, operational, financial and business urgent issues effectively.
- Sound decision maker with ability to communicate well and prioritise in pressurised conditions Supplier management experience with large suppliers with significant spend.
- People management in a change environment with ability to lead effective change in an operational environment.
- Significant understanding and experience of the airport and wider ‘head office’ functions and environment.
- Safety, Operational, commercial expertise.
- Able to hold Airside ID.
- Full UK driver’s license (or equivalent) to enable airside driving permit.

Our Corporate and Support roles come with big potential to make your mark on our business. The airline industry changes so fast that we’re constantly evolving and finding new ways to impress customers and get ahead of our competitors. If you’re an innovator and brave and bold, you will be in your element at British Airways.

Your impact on British Airways will be rewarded with a competitive rewards package plus the opportunity to develop and progress your career in many directions.

Not only will you have the chance to further your career development within BA, you’ll have access to our competitive reward and benefits package. This includes core company paid benefits such as a Defined Contribution pension scheme, generous Life Assuranc