Principal Network Optimization

Air Canada; Dorval; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian airline is seeking a Principal, Network Optimization to oversee the scheduling and optimization of its global flight operations. You'll maximize profitability and operational feasibility by collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate has solid experience in airline planning and a strong analytical background. This role requires strong leadership skills and offers opportunities for a diverse work environment focused on inclusion and continuous improvement.

Benefits

Diversity and Inclusion initiatives

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Solid experience in airline planning with operational and commercial knowledge.
• Strong understanding of yield management principles.
• Experience in a fast-paced environment with strong leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct total fleet deployment and maximize utilization across all brands.
• Lead and coach schedulers in schedule strategies implementation.
• Monitor market dynamics to maintain market position.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical background

Communication skills

Education

University degree or equivalent

Tools

PROS

ALTEA

Sabre Schedule Manager

Sabre Fleet Manager

Job description

Overview

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation.

The Network Optimization team has commercial & operational responsibility for the Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express global schedules in the short and medium-term timeframes.

The Principal, Network Optimization oversees the optimization of Air Canada’s global flight schedule—including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express—for short- and medium-term horizons. This role is accountable for maximizing profitability and operational feasibility, collaborating with commercial and operational stakeholders, and providing expert guidance to scheduling teams to achieve commercial and operational objectives such as profitability, revenue generation, on-time performance, customer experience, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Direct total fleet deployment and maximize utilization for Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express.
• Assess and prioritize network and schedule changes based on financial and strategic considerations.
• Lead and coach schedulers in implementing schedule strategies.
• Represent the Director, Network Optimization in discussions with internal and external stakeholders (Revenue Management, Sales, Airport Authorities, Operational branches).
• Coordinate corrective schedule actions with SOC, Maintenance, Crewing, and Airports to ensure commercial objectives are met.
• Ensure integrity and accuracy of current and long-term selling schedules, with a focus on international operations and connecting flows.
• Monitor market dynamics and competitive landscape to maintain market position and implement proactive measures.
• Identify and implement schedule improvements for long-term profitability and strategic growth.
• Optimize use of schedule downtime and sunk costs to capture incremental opportunities.
• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within Network Planning.
• Lead development and enhancement of tools and systems for evaluating demand and optimizing schedules.
• Develop strategies for manpower optimization with operational branches to minimize costs and ensure schedule continuity.
• Maximize and protect assets such as aircraft, facilities, and slots.
• Manage relationships with Financial Planning and Revenue Planning to ensure cohesive financial evaluations.

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent an asset (Business, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or Economics).
• Demonstrated leadership skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical background and experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Solid experience in airline planning, including operational and commercial knowledge with a high-level understanding of airline schedule concepts.
• Ability to rapidly grasp impacts of schedule modifications on overall network.
• Strong understanding of yield management principles, including price elasticity and stimulation and supply and demand in the airline industry.
• Logical and analytical skills, including the ability to question system outputs and to solve complex problems.
• Knowledge of key commercial tools such as: PROS, ALTEA, Flight Profitability, Ticket Coupon reporting.
• Schedule technology tool experience, such as Sabre Schedule Manager, Sabre Fleet Manager, or other airline scheduling and planning tools an asset.
• Good understanding of Air Canada Financial and accounting concepts such as variable and fixed cost and cost accounting.
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions Of Employment

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.