Director, Operations Planning and Modernization

Greater Toronto Airports Authority; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A major airport operator is seeking a Director of Operations Planning & Modernization to enhance efficiency and drive transformation. This role requires expertise in capacity planning and slot coordination within global hub airports. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience, a Bachelor's degree in a related field, and the ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams. A competitive salary of $250,000 plus performance incentives are offered, along with a flexible hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Flexible work environment

Paid vacation

Qualifications

• 10+ years in global hub airports or aviation consulting, including transformation and C-level reporting.
• Expertise in capacity planning, slot coordination, and airport flow optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at senior executive and Board level.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of robust, integrated capacity plans aligned with demand.
• Ensure planning reflects operational readiness and customer experience goals.
• Monitor adherence to allocated slots and collaborate with airline partners.

Skills

Capacity planning

Slot coordination

Operational analytics

Team leadership

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Toronto Pearson is transforming. Now’s the time for your career to fly.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a unique and dynamic place to work, with a bold plan to make Toronto Pearson, Canada’s leading global hub airport, a global leader in airport performance, customer care and sustainability. Together with our partners, approximately 1,900 GTAA employees are working to create a next-generation airport by innovating in all we do and striving for the most uplifting, safe and efficient experience for our passengers – all while championing the prosperity of our people, the community we call home, and our aviation partners. Join us on our journey together, as we put the joy back into travel and make Toronto Pearson the chosen place to fly and work.

What's in it for you?

• An opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive within a dynamic, and fast-growing company alongside thoughtful and passionate individuals dedicated to their work and community
• Comprehensive benefits, including:
• Extended Health including prescription drugs and paramedical
• Health Spending Account
• Accident and Life Insurance
• Dental
• Long Term Disability Coverage
• Retirement & Savings Program
• Paid vacation
• A flexible hybrid work environment, continuous internal and external learning opportunities, and a meaningful reward and recognition program

What can you expect from this position?

The Director, Operations Planning & Modernization, is accountable for delivering seasonal capacity planning and slot coordination while driving operational transformation and special projects that improve efficiency, productivity, and readiness across Airport Operations. This role ensures that operational planning is data-driven, forward-looking, and aligned with corporate strategy, while fostering a continuous improvement culture to optimize processes, resource utilization, and stakeholder engagement.

The Director will lead the planning function to ensure optimal allocation of capacity across the airport system and champion initiatives that modernize operations, enhance performance, and better prepare the airport to meet evolving passenger and airline demands.

The Director also supports the COO and Airport Operations leadership in the development and execution tracking of the Airport Operations Strategy. The role leads the coordination of strategic deliverables, prepares executive and Board-level reporting, and ensures key performance priorities are well-governed, data-informed, and actionable.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development of robust, integrated capacity plans that align infrastructure capabilities with forecasted demand across airside, terminal, baggage, and groundside systems.
• Ensure planning reflects short- and medium-term operational readiness, infrastructure constraints, and customer experience goals.
• Maintain collaboration with stakeholders to validate inputs and test various demand scenarios.
• Contribute to contingency and recovery strategies with seasonally aligned models and simulations.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies, airline partners, and airport stakeholders to ensure cohesive and inclusive planning and throughput delivery.
• Direct the execution of airline schedule and slot coordination programs, in accordance with global standards (e.g. WASG) and Transport Canada policies.
• Monitor adherence to allocated slots, including on-time performance, gate utilization, and schedule compliance; collaborate with airline partners to address deviations and enforce corrective actions as needed.
• Represent the airport in external industry forums and working groups on slot performance and airport scheduling optimization.
• Maintain comprehensive slot performance records, reports, and analytics to support decision-making and future slot planning cycles.
• Ensure slot plans are adaptable during capital works, optimizing constrained infrastructure usage and minimizing passenger and airline impact.
• Lead a portfolio of cross-functional projects focused on continuous improvement, process simplification and capacity enablement.
• Build scalable, leaner operating models that enhance productivity, cost efficiency, and frontline effectiveness.
• Support modernization of planning tools, SOPs, and business processes to unlock long-term capacity and agility.
• Support the COO and Airport Ops Senior Leadership in shaping and refining the Airport Operations Strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and business realities.
• Track execution progress through structured updates, KPIs, and deliverables aligned to key initiatives.
• Lead the preparation of executive briefing notes, leadership updates, and Board reporting materials related to Airport Operations.
• Ensure content is data-informed, visually clear, and focused on performance impact, risks, and decision needs.
• Oversee the development of forecasting models and scenario-based planning tools.
• Maintain data-driven insights that link demand forecasts, slot allocation and capacity utilization.
• Ensure the accuracy and continuous refinement of models that support strategic and tactical planning decisions.
• Leverage trends and analytics to shape planning recommendations and guide executive decision-making.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and accountable culture.
• Execute flawlessly by clearly defining what expectations and success looks like to foster a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.
• Model the GTAA Leadership Behaviours.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This is the role for you, if you have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Must be able to obtain and retain Transportation Security Clearance.
• 10+ years in global hub airports or aviation consulting, including transformation and C-level reporting.
• Expertise in capacity planning, slot coordination, and airport flow optimization.
• Proven ability to drive planning innovation, lead cross-functional transformation, and influence executive decision-making.
• Experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams in planning or strategic operations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at senior executive and Board level, using visual and data storytelling.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and ability to look at ‘problems’ from various perspectives to find an optimal path forward.
• Demonstrated proficiency in operational analytics platforms and real-time data systems.

Salary: $250,000.00 per annum, based on 40-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity. Performance-Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target of up to 20% of your annual salary.

Language requirements: English

Business address: 3111 Convair Drive, Toronto AMF, ON, L5P 1B2

Main work address: 5915 Airport Road, Mississauga, L4V 1T1