Manager, Operational Modernization

Toronto Pearson International Airport; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Employer-mprovided retirement plan (RR

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is seeking a Manager of Operational Modernization to drive cross-functional modernization initiatives at Toronto Pearson. You will shape the multi-year modernization roadmap, coordinate governance, and translate insights into practical improvements across terminal, airfield, and passenger processing.

You will mentor team members, promote Lean principles, and work with IT, Customer Experience, and partners to ensure safer, more efficient operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Planning, or equivalent.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification is an asset.
• 8+ years in operations, planning, or transformation roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of cross-functional modernization initiatives from intake to close-out.
• Coordinate governance and align execution with strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, capacity, and cost effectiveness.
• Translate data and stakeholder input into actionable priorities.
• Contribute to business cases, implementation plans, and governance structures.
• Support integrated demand and capacity planning across terminal, airfield, and passenger processing.
• Lead development of scenario-based planning models for resource allocation.
• Mentor direct reports and promote Lean and continuous improvement practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Problem solving

Change management

Education

Bachelors in Aviation Mgmt/Operations/Industrial Eng

Lean Six Sigma (certification)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data visualization tools

Reporting tools

Planning tools

Job description

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

Toronto Pearson is transforming—and this is your opportunity to help shape how Canada’s leading global hub airport operates. Join approximately 2,100 GTAA employees and our airport partners in building a next-generation airport that sets a higher standard for performance, customer care, sustainability, safety, and efficiency. Your work will help create a more uplifting travel experience, strengthen the prosperity of our people and community, 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 a flexible retirement program with employer matching, along with voluntary savings options (RRSP, TFSA, and Non-Registered Savings Plans).
• A flexible work environment, continuous internal and external learning opportunities, and a meaningful reward and recognition program.

What can you expect from this position?

Reporting to the Associate Director, Operations Modernization & Capacity Enablement, you will help shape the future of Airport Operations at Toronto Pearson. You will lead a portfolio of cross-functional continuous improvement and modernization initiatives that strengthen operational efficiency, planning effectiveness, capacity utilization, and cost effectiveness. Working with operational leaders, corporate partners, and readiness teams, you will turn operational insights, demand and capacity forecasts, performance measures, and stakeholder input into practical improvements. Your leadership will advance a multi-year modernization roadmap and help deliver safer, more resilient, efficient, and cost-effective airport operations.

As a Manager, Operational Modernization, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of cross-functional continuous improvement and operational modernization initiatives from intake and prioritization through implementation, benefits tracking, and close‑out.
• Support delivery of the multi‑year operational modernization roadmap by sequencing initiatives, coordinating governance, and aligning execution with airport strategic objectives.
• Identify and advance opportunities that improve operational efficiency, planning effectiveness, capacity utilization, and cost effectiveness.
• Translate operational data, performance insights, and stakeholder input into clear priorities and actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to business cases, implementation plans, governance structures, and continuous improvement approaches.
• Support integrated demand and capacity planning across terminal, airfield, baggage, groundside, security, and passenger‑processing functions.
• Lead the evolution of airport operating plans toward integrated, scenario‑based planning models that inform resource, facility, process, and contingency decisions.
• Identify operational constraints, capacity risks, and service impacts, and recommend mitigation strategies that optimize throughput while maintaining or improving service standards.
• Lead, coach, and manage the performance of direct reports while building capability in continuous improvement, problem solving, change management, project delivery, and data‑driven decision making.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by promoting Lean principles, innovation, operational excellence, and knowledge sharing.
• Build strong cross‑functional relationships across Airport Operations, IT, Customer Experience, Commercial, and Airport Development Technical Services.
• Engage airlines, ground handlers, government agencies, technology vendors, industry bodies, and research partners to evaluate, pilot, and implement modernization initiatives.

This is the role for you, if you have:

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in operations, operational planning, process improvement, capacity planning, business transformation, or strategy execution.
• People leadership, team supervision, or matrix leadership experience, including performance management and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience in aviation, transportation, logistics, infrastructure, passenger processing, or another complex, high‑volume operational environment.
• Demonstrated success delivering modernization, productivity improvement, operating model redesign, capacity enhancement, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of airport operations across terminal, airfield, baggage, groundside, security, and passenger‑processing functions.
• Knowledge of integrated demand and capacity planning, scenario‑based operational planning, forecasting, resource modelling, fast‑time simulation, and capacity enablement.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, problem‑solving, and decision‑support skills, with the ability to translate complex operational information into practical recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive briefing, presentation development, stakeholder engagement, and change communication.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office tools; familiarity with data visualization, reporting, analysis, and planning tools is an asset.
• Certification or professional education in project management, change management, Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, operational excellence, airport operations, aviation management, or capacity planning is an asset.
• A bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Planning, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and retain Transportation Security Clearance.

The GTAA is committed to Employment Equity and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

This position is exempt from Ontario's 2026 pay transparency requirements under Regulation 476/24.