Senior Vice President, Airline Operations

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Senior Vice President of Airline Operations is responsible for leading and aligning Cape Air's operational departments to deliver safe, reliable, efficient, and customer focused airline operations. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this executive provides strategic leadership across Flight Operations, Technical Operations, and Airport Services, ensuring these departments operate as one team with shared goals, clear accountability, and a commitment to operational excellence. The Senior Vice President serves as a member of Cape Air's Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for improving operational performance, strengthening cross functional collaboration, leading major operational initiatives, and developing the next generation of operational leaders. While operational excellence is a primary responsibility, the role extends beyond day-to-day execution by helping shape the future direction of Cape Air through strategic planning, fleet modernization, operational innovation, and organizational development.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES:

Executive Leadership

• Serve as a member of Cape Air's Executive Leadership Team and contribute to the development and execution of the company's strategic priorities.
• Partner with the President & CEO and executive leadership team to align operational performance with the company's financial, customer service, and growth objectives.
• Foster collaboration across departments and promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Lead operational planning and execution for major company initiatives, including fleet modernization, network expansion, infrastructure investments, and other strategic projects.
• Partner with Finance on operating budgets, capital planning, and operational investments.
• Work cross-functionally with HR to ensure effective talent acquisition, workforce planning, leadership development, and retention strategies across the organization.

Operational Leadership & Performance

• Provide strategic leadership for Flight Operations, Technical Operations, and Airport Services, ensuring they operate as one coordinated team.
• Establish operational priorities and ensure alignment across operational departments.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational performance, including completion factor, on time performance, aircraft utilization, operational reliability, customer experience, and cost effectiveness.
• Establish measurable performance objectives and hold operational leaders accountable for achieving company goals.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency through process improvements, technology, and organizational alignment.
• Provide executive leadership during significant operational disruptions and ensure operational readiness to support future growth.
• Provide timely executive decision making to resolve cross functional operational issues while balancing safety, reliability, customer service, and financial performance.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Develop, coach, and mentor operational leaders while strengthening succession planning throughout the organization.
• Build strong relationships across operational departments and encourage collaboration, accountability, and open communication.
• Reinforce Cape Air's culture of safety, customer service, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Promote an environment where employees are empowered to solve problems, improve processes, and deliver exceptional service.
• Foster a people-first culture that balances operational excellence with employee well-being, to strengthen company culture during period of growth and transformation.

External Relationships

• Represent Cape Air with regulatory agencies, airport authorities, industry organizations, aircraft manufacturers, vendors, and business partners as appropriate.
• Support government, community, and industry initiatives that strengthen Cape Air's operational capabilities and long-term success.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

The Senior Vice President of Airline Operations leads through collaboration, accountability, and sound judgment. Success in this role is measured not by managing individual departments, but by aligning operational leaders around shared goals and delivering consistently safe, reliable, and efficient airline operations.

The successful leader will:

• Build trust and credibility with operational leaders and employees.
• Make balanced decisions that consider safety, customer service, financial performance, and employee engagement.
• Foster open communication, teamwork, and accountability.
• Develop future leaders and strengthen organizational capability.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the organization and lead effectively during both routine operations and periods of operational disruption.
• Demonstrated executive presence with the ability to effectively represent the company before the Board of Directors, regulators, industry partners, and employees.
• Lead organizational change by aligning people, processes, and resources to successfully execute Cape Air's strategic priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Progressive leadership experience within airline operations or a closely related aviation environment.
• Demonstrated success leading large operational departments through collaboration, influence, and accountability.
• Strong understanding of airline operations, FAA regulations, and operational risk management.
• Proven ability to improve operational performance while maintaining a strong safety culture.
• Experience leading organizational change, cross functional initiatives, and operational transformation.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading high performing leadership teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance operational performance, customer experience, and financial objectives.
• Experience managing operating budgets, capital investments, and resource planning.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions in a fast paced, dynamic operating environment.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate long term business objectives into operational execution.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation, business or a related field preferred. Equivalent executive leadership experience will be considered