Director of Airport Operations

Job Description At JSX, we're not just a lifestyle carrier – we're a lifestyle employer. Here, entrepreneurship meets determination, and excellence is our standard. We believe that the journey is just as important as the destination, and every day, we strive to create a Joyful, Simple eXperience for our Customers. Join us, and find your runway to growth, innovation, and success. About the Role The Director of Airport Operations provides strategic leadership for airport operations across the JSX network, ensuring stations consistently deliver safe, reliable, and hospitality-focused service. This role oversees operational performance, develops station leadership, drives continuous improvement, and partners across the organization to support network growth while maintaining the premium Customer experience that defines JSX. A Day in the Life Leading airport operations across the network, balancing operational reliability, hospitality, safety, and financial performance while supporting leaders who keep our stations running at their very best. Additional Responsibilities Include Provide leadership for above-wing and below-wing airport operations, ensuring station readiness, operating discipline, and execution to company standards. Lead performance against key operational metrics, including on-time performance, completion factor, baggage performance, and right-start/D0 execution. Review station performance through operational reviews, field observations, and performance data to identify root causes, close execution gaps, and improve consistency across the network. Provide oversight for safety, security, and regulatory compliance by ensuring operational risks are identified, mitigated, and resolved in a timely manner. Ensure safety event reporting, corrective actions, and incident resolution are completed accurately and in accordance with company and regulatory requirements. Champion a premium Customer experience by reinforcing hospitality standards, maintaining station presentation, and driving consistent service delivery. Lead service recovery efforts during irregular operations by coordinating cross-functional teams and minimizing disruption to Customers and Crewmembers. Maintain financial discipline through labor efficiency, expense management, and resource deployment that supports operational reliability and business objectives. Partner with airport authorities, external stakeholders, and vendors to ensure strong relationships, contract compliance, and exceptional service delivery. Lead, coach, and develop airport operations leaders while driving accountability, engagement, succession planning, and leadership development. Partner with Training and Brand Standards to ensure manuals, policies, procedures, and required training remain current and operationally executable. Support network expansion, new station openings, and organizational change by preparing leaders and teams for continued growth. Why You'll Love This Role Lead the Network: Shape operational performance and Customer experience across every JSX station. Make a Lasting Impact: Influence strategy while remaining closely connected to frontline operations. Develop Great Leaders: Build strong leadership teams and help prepare the next generation of operational talent. Drive Continuous Improvement: Use data, collaboration, and innovation to improve safety, reliability, and hospitality. Work Across the Business: Partner with leaders throughout Operations, Flight Operations, Commercial, Hospitality, Finance, Safety, and Training to solve complex operational challenges. What Makes a Successful Director of Airport Operations? We're Looking For Someone Who Is Strategic: You balance long-term vision with exceptional day-to-day operational execution. Operationally Excellent: You establish high standards, drive accountability, and deliver consistent results across multiple locations. Customer-Focused: You understand that operational excellence exists to create an exceptional Customer experience. Decisive: You make thoughtful, timely decisions under pressure while effectively managing risk. Influential: You build trust, align stakeholders, and lead through collaboration. People-Oriented: You develop leaders, coach teams, and create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. Entrepreneurial: You take ownership, act decisively, and continually seek to improve. Required Experience Minimum of 8 years of airport, airline, or operations leadership experience with direct accountability for frontline execution, service delivery, and station performance. Minimum of 5 years leading leaders within airport or airline operations. Demonstrated experience overseeing multi-station, regional, or network-level operations. Proven success managing operational performance through KPIs, labor planning, financial stewardship, and operational decision-making. Experience leading operations through irregular operations, disruptions, and recovery efforts while maintaining safe, compliant, Customer-focused execution. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong operational leadership with the ability to establish expectations, enforce standards, and drive accountability. Excellent judgment and decision-making skills in high-pressure operational environments. Ability to lead across multiple stations while balancing enterprise objectives with local operational needs. Outstanding communication, executive presence, and cross-functional partnership skills. Strong analytical mindset with the ability to leverage operational data to drive continuous improvement. Preferred Experience Experience leading airport operations within a premium hospitality, high-service, or customer-focused travel environment. Experience supporting network growth, station startups, or operational expansion initiatives. Experience developing leadership pipelines, succession planning, and leadership development programs. Experience partnering with airport authorities, regulatory agencies, and third-party operational partners. Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Business, Hospitality, Operations, or a related field preferred. Basic Requirements Ability to travel up to 70% to support station oversight, leadership development, and operational execution. Ability to work flexible hours, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as operational needs require. Availability outside normal business hours to support operational escalations and critical business decisions. Ability to work in active airport environments, including prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, occasional lifting, and other physical activities associated with airport operations. Ability to obtain and maintain all required airport access credentials, security clearances, and operating authorizations. Valid driver's license required and ability to meet company and airport requirements for operating in secure and non-secure areas. Benefits And Perks Health Benefits: New Crewmembers become eligible for coverage on the 1st of the month following the start date, with medical plans beginning at just $110/month. 100% employer-paid dental & vision, plus up to $2,100 annually for HSA contribution. Short-term and long-term disability coverage at no cost. Travel Benefits: Enjoy free non-revenue standby travel on JSX, plus deeply discounted standby travel on other major domestic and international airlines for you and your qualifying immediate family. 401(k) Match: 50% of your first 8%. Generous PTO: Take time to recharge with our flexible PTO plan. Additional Information This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties, responsibilities, and requirements may change at any time based on business needs, operational demands, emergencies, or other circumstances. JSX seeks to provide equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and to ensure all personnel activities—including recruitment, selection, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination—remain free of illegal discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Compensation Range $100,500.0 - $125,600.0 JSX is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr