Chief Operating Officer Ground Handling

7 days ago

UK, UK, United Kingdom Swissport Full time

Chief Operating Officer UK / Ireland


Are you ready to take flight in a dynamic and fast-paced aviation sector? As a global leader in aviation services, Swissport provides ground handling, cargo handling and passenger services to more than 300 million passengers annually. We believe that our people are what set us apart from the competition. At Swissport, we are guided by our core values of Showing You Care, Doing Things Right and Winning as a Team, and we are currently looking for an experienced, credible and passionate Chief Operating Officer – Ground Handling in our UK & Ireland Region. Job Summary As Chief Operating Officer – Ground Handling (COO – GH), you will lead and direct all aspects of the Ground Handling Operation to ensure safety, compliance, financial control, performance, and efficiency in accordance with the corporate objectives, strategy and plans. You will develop and grow the leadership structure within your product line and deliver a consistent and innovative Ground Handling Strategy that sets us apart from our competitors and builds on our already strong reputation and ensure we are the partner of choice.


Job responsibilities

  • Actively contribute as an executive team member in creating, growing, and building a world class, industry leading business.
  • Act as an ambassador of the Six Safety Commitments, ensuring that all Ground Handling operational teams put safety and compliance first, no exceptions.
  • Monitor and oversee quality and safety procedures to ensure they are in line with Swissport’s International safety and quality standards.
  • Drive business results from both an operational and financial perspective working closely with the UKI CEO, UKI CFO and other key executive team members.
  • Work in partnership with Finance and planning to develop the operational budget, but take full ownership of the agreed number.
  • Meet and exceed the budget, achieve favourable financial results with respect to top line growth, profitability, cash flow, mergers and acquisitions, systems, reporting and controls.
  • Work closely with the HRD to build a development programme that takes the management team from Operators to Business Leaders who truly understand their business and station KPI’s.
  • Forge strategic partnerships and relationships with customers and service providers which complement and enhance our service proposition and financial performance.
  • Drive the development of new business within Ground Handling by leveraging relationships across the industry, to actively seek out new business that will expand the business lines portfolio.
  • Lead on the relationships with the Airport Authorities, ensuring that we are compliant with all regulations.
  • Drive innovation within the business, exploring and encouraging the use of technology to enhance and improve both effectiveness and efficiency within the Region.
  • Lead on all Trade Union Negotiations for Ground Handling, working closely with the Head of HR Business Partnering and other Product Line Executives to ensure employee relations are strong and healthy.
  • Create effective measurement tools to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness of internal and external processes.
  • Work closely with senior management team to create, implement, and roll out plans for operational processes, internal infrastructures, reporting systems and company policies all designed to foster growth, profitably and efficiencies within the company.
  • Foster a growth oriented, positive, and encouraging environment while keeping colleagues and management accountable to company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Lead, guide, evaluate and develop a team with operational responsibilities to increase organisational effectiveness and create cost efficiencies.
  • Ensure full implementation of the Station manager manual (SMM) and tracking of scores on a weekly basis – minimum target to achieve gold for all stations. Business Development
  • Develop a growth strategy focused both on financial gain and customer satisfaction.
  • Conduct research to identify new markets and customer needs.
  • Ensure strong cadence and governance with all customers.
  • Promote the company’s products/services addressing or predicting clients’ objectives.
  • Support in the development of business cases for any new opportunity identified.
  • Present any new opportunity to Investment committee.
  • Assist in any due diligence to be done.


Qualifications / Experience

  • 5 years’ experience of operating at C-Suite / Executive Level
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a customer focussed Operational Role and where service excellence has been driven and improved.
  • Proven experience of developing and delivering a strategic plan that enhanced operational development.
  • Working knowledge of technology enhancements to improve business performance.
  • Experience of leading Trade Union negotiations and disputes.
  • Impeccable organisational skills, attention to detail and problem solving.
  • Aviation industry experience



At Swissport, we believe in diversity, equal opportunity, and the power of our values to drive our success. We are committed to providing a workplace that promotes inclusion and where all qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status

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