Head of Ground Operations

Air Arabia; Sharjah; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline is seeking a Head of Ground Operations to oversee strategic and operational readiness across various hubs. This senior leadership role demands at least 10 years of experience in Ground Operations, including knowledge of IATA and ICAO regulations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, stakeholder management expertise, and a track record in contract negotiation. The role is based in Sharjah, AE and offers a dynamic environment focused on operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in Ground Operations.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing multi-station operations.
• Extensive knowledge of IATA, ICAO, and GCAA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Central Ground Operations in strategic planning.
• Lead start-up and operational readiness of new hubs.
• Prepare and oversee regional operating budgets and manpower plans.
• Enforce airport services and ground handling procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Performance management

Operational improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Three (3) Head of Ground Operations positions are available, each accountable for leadership within their assigned geographical regions and reporting directly to Head of Central Ground Operations. The role is responsible for ensuring consistency in service delivery, safety, security, customer experience, and regulatory compliance across the network. Leading a team of Area Managers, the Head of Ground Operations drives operational excellence through effective stakeholder management, resource optimization, and alignment with Air Arabia’s strategic objectives — with strong focus on On-Time Performance (OTP), safety, security and continuous enhancement of our customer experience.

Location: Sharjah, AE

Country: AE

Outline

• Europe, Mid Asia & Africa
• Asia Pacific
• GCC, Levant & Egypt

Key Result Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Central Ground Operations in developing, implementing, and monitoring regional strategies and business plans aligned with corporate objectives.
• Lead start-up and operational readiness of new hubs/stations, covering contracting, facilities, manpower, logistics, systems, and training requirements.
• Prepare and oversee regional operating budgets and manpower plans; conduct feasibility studies and implement cost-control measures to ensure efficiency, optimal resource allocation, and sustainable growth.
• Establish and enforce airport services and ground handling procedures in compliance with regulations and company standards.
• Oversee regional compliance and governance frameworks in partnership with Quality, Safety, and Security teams; ensure corrective actions are consistently applied.
• Provide oversight of station and GHA performance through structured assessments and trend analysis; identify systemic service gaps and drive improvement initiatives.
• Develop and oversee regional strategies for excess baggage collection and revenue protection, ensuring transparency, accountability, and minimizing systemic leakage.
• Partner with Commercial leadership to align operational performance with revenue assurance and cost-optimization strategies.
• Lead negotiation and management of regional contractual frameworks with GHAs and industry bodies, leveraging economies of scale to secure favourable terms, enhance service quality, and drive efficiencies.
• Partner with Customer Experience to design and implement initiatives that enhance the end-to-end customer journey across regional touchpoints.
• Champion adoption of data-driven solutions to optimize ground operations, enhance visibility, and support proactive decision-making.
• Ensure optimal utilization of manpower, resources, and tools to meet present and future business requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, Business Administration, or related field; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in Ground Operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing multi-station or regional operations.
• Extensive knowledge of IATA, ICAO, and GCAA regulations and international ground handling standards, with proven ability to apply them across diverse jurisdictions.
• Proven track record in contract negotiation, cost optimization, and performance management in complex, multi-station environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing operational improvement strategies across geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong leadership and people development skills, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and service excellence.
• Exceptional stakeholder management with the ability to influence and maintain relationships at senior levels across regulatory, governmental, and commercial entities.
• Digitally savvy, with proficiency in MS Office and operational systems; exposure data-driven decision-making is a strong advantage.

Org Chart - Ground Operations

Organization Chart for Ground Operations