General Manager

General Manager

The General Manager leads airport ground handling operations with full accountability for safety, quality, financial performance, and team development. This role establishes and upholds a strong culture aligned with the organizations vision, mission, and core values, while overseeing day-to-day operations for international flight services. The General Manager ensures regulatory compliance, drives operational excellence, manages large teams, and maintains strong relationships with customers, vendors, and airport authorities.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a culture of total accountability across all operational and administrative areas.
• Explain, embody, and consistently enforce the organizations vision, mission statement, and core values.
• Enforce corporate and regulatory safety best practices to prevent avoidable accidents and incidents.
• Oversee employee attendance and performance, ensuring staff follow their schedules, properly record time, and reconciling hours on a weekly basis.
• Drive a fanatical emphasis on quality through ongoing dialogue, audits, coaching, and leading by example.
• Oversee the establishment, start-up, and ongoing operation of new ground handling operations.
• Develop, mentor, and support direct reports to build a high-performing management team.
• Track manpower costs daily, identify inefficiencies, and implement immediate corrective actions.
• Conduct monthly profit and loss (P&L) reviews in collaboration with the finance and accounting team.
• Review vendor invoices, verify accuracy, and approve payments in line with corporate guidelines.
• Apply appropriate employee recognition and progressive discipline practices, following corporate policies.
• Attend airport meetings with customers, governmental agencies, and airport personnel to represent the operation and address key issues.
• Meet with customers on a weekly and monthly basis to maintain strong relationships and ensure service expectations are met or exceeded.
• Establish, monitor, and oversee monthly health and safety meetings to reinforce a strong safety culture.
• Organize and attend regular meetings (at least monthly) with the local team to encourage open communication and feedback.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, including participation in annual town hall meetings.
• Participate in weekly corporate conference calls to report on performance, share updates, and align on priorities.
• Ensure transparent communication both externally and internally at all levels of the organization.
• Promote and enforce good housekeeping practices throughout all operational areas.
• Coach the management team on disciplinary processes up to and including termination, investigations, use of PPE, safety protocols, housekeeping standards, and respectful workplace practices.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, fairness, and mutual respect across all levels of staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time to support operational and organizational goals.

Essential Skills

• 35 years of General Manager experience in ground handling, cargo, or aviation operations.
• Bachelors degree or engineering degree related to the aviation industry, or another closely related field.
• Proven experience within the aviation industry, particularly in ground handling and operations management.
• Demonstrated track record of achieving strong operational and financial results.
• Experience managing teams of 100 or more staff members.
• Strong supervision and leadership capabilities in a General Manager or similar role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, including proficiency in common productivity applications.
• Ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders, including customers, vendors, airport authorities, and internal teams.
• Solid understanding of ground handling operations and processes, including working with international flights.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with international carriers such as Air France and KLM or similar global airlines.
• Background in aviation-related engineering or technical disciplines.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret financial reports, manpower data, and operational metrics.
• Ability to lead start-up operations and implement new processes effectively.
• Skill in coaching and developing management teams to handle disciplinary procedures, investigations, and workplace issues.
• Comfort with participating in corporate conference calls and presenting performance updates to senior leadership.
• Ability to foster transparent communication and a culture of accountability and teamwork.
• Experience conducting or overseeing health and safety meetings and initiatives.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a leadership role in a dynamic aviation environment where you can shape culture, drive operational excellence, and influence strategic outcomes. You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, enjoy meaningful responsibility, and have the chance to develop and mentor a large team. The role provides a stable full-time schedule with the potential for performance-based bonuses, while fostering a culture of transparency, safety, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This is a full-time salaried position, typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional requirements to stay late or work weekends based on operational needs. The role is based in an airport environment, working primarily with international flights and ground handling operations. You will collaborate closely with finance, accounting, and corporate teams, participate in regular meetings and conference calls, and use Microsoft Office and other standard business tools daily. The environment emphasizes safety, housekeeping, and a respectful, team-oriented workplace, with a focus on compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Rosemont, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $105000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Insurance Benefits Vacation.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Rosemont, IL.