Head of Operational Performance, dnata Airport Operations

Emirates Airlines - Other locations; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global air services provider in Dubai is seeking a Head of Operational Performance to drive excellence across Airport Operations. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of management experience, particularly with a major airline or ground handler. The role involves leading transformation initiatives and performance measurement across global operations. This position offers attractive tax-free compensation and unique travel benefits.

Benefits

Attractive tax-free salary

Travel benefits and discounts on flights

Cosmopolitan lifestyle in Dubai

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Airport Operations Management.
• Industry experience in a management role with a major airline or ground handler.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive global operational excellence through performance initiatives.
• Manage a global performance measurement framework covering various KPIs.
• Conduct benchmarking with leading service providers.

Skills

Operational transformation experience

Leadership skills

Data-driven problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Change-management expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline

Tools

Lean and Six Sigma methodologies

RMS systems

INFORM systems

Job description

Job Purpose

dnata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make. We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If you're inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.

Job Title

Head of Operational Performance – you will drive global operational excellence across dnata Airport Operations through performance initiatives, service frameworks, and transformation programmes. The role supports strategic delivery by embedding continuous improvement, optimising operations, and enhancing safety, efficiency, and customer experience. It applies data‑driven techniques to improve productivity and resource planning, while leading change and supporting integration and execution at station level. This is a full‑time role based out of our Dubai office, which will require frequent (and sometimes extended) business travel.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and support operational transformation and strategic programmes across dnata Airport Operations using Management of Change frameworks and industrial engineering tools (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, process mapping), delivering measurable improvements and supporting post‑implementation adoption.
• Manage and maintain a global performance measurement framework covering operational, safety, financial, and productivity KPIs, ensuring consistent reporting and enabling data‑driven decision‑making across business units.
• Support operational input into new business opportunities and integrations by contributing to resource planning, budgeting, and implementation readiness. Collaborate with M&A and Commercial teams to ensure alignment with dnata Airport Operations strategic priorities.
• Conduct benchmarking exercises with leading service providers and airlines to identify best practices and performance gaps, implement improvements, and facilitate global forums for knowledge‑sharing, innovation, and alignment with industry standards.
• Establish structured communication with internal and external stakeholders to resolve service issues, identify synergies, and support consistent service delivery across locations.
• Collaborate with IT and business units to enhance automation, system integration, and resource modelling (e.g., RMS, INFORM) for improved planning, rostering, and capacity management.
• Lead and develop the Operational Performance and Transformation team, assigning responsibilities, building capabilities to support global operations and deliver impactful change.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Airport Operations Management.
• Industry experience in a management role with a major airline or ground handler.
• Robust knowledge of airport handling operations and operations management methodologies, systems, and improvement.
• Advanced analytical, data‑driven problem‑solving capabilities.
• Advanced relationship‑building, cross‑functional collaboration, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven leadership, team management, and change‑management expertise.
• Experience managing large cross‑functional strategic change projects in Airport Operations.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and professional writing skills.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Large‑scale operational transformation experience within the airport operations industry, airports, or with airlines.

Recruitment Process and Timeline

dnata part of Emirates Group is an international organisation with employees from over 170 nationalities we encourage applications from across the globe Your application journey begins by applying via our Careers website Please ensure your CV is up to date for our talent acquisition team to review your profile If you meet the criteria of the role you will then be invited to complete a HireVue video interview to share more about your experience and your career aspirations If you are shortlisted you will then be invited to interview with our hiring managers If you are successful your recruiter will reach out to you with an offer and then our Onboarding team will ensure a smooth transition to your new role.

Salary & Benefits

Join us in Dubai and enjoy an attractive tax‑free salary and travel benefits that are exclusive to our industry, including discounts on flights and hotels stays around the world. Find out what it’s like to live and work in our fast‑paced, cosmopolitan home city in the Dubai Lifestyle section of our website - www.emirates.c om/careers