Operations Planning Manager – Optimisation

easyJet Airline Company PLC; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading low-cost airline is seeking an Operations Planning Manager to optimize the flight schedule and manage a team of analysts. The candidate must have strategic analytical experience, a strong capability in data modelling, and excellent communication skills. This full-time position is based in Luton, supporting hybrid working arrangements with various benefits including staff travel perks and annual leave.

Benefits

Up to 20% maximum bonus

PMI

7% pension contributions

Excellent staff travel benefits

25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday

Various flexible benefits and extras

Qualifications

• Passion for detail and data-driven decision making.
• Experience of continuous process improvement.
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Support the design of the commercial flight schedule.
• Manage a team of Operations Schedule Planning Analysts.
• Drive improvements in schedule resilience.

Skills

Strategic analytical experience

Data modelling

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving

Practical database skills

Strong capability in MS Office applications

Education

Educated to degree level in a mathematical or equivalent field

Tools

MS SQL

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description - Operations Planning Manager – Optimisation (16482)

We are easyJet – a FTSE-100 listed, £multi‑billion low‑cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low‑cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours – we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

Read on if you

• Have strategic analytical experience, a passion for data, and a track record of driving operational performance through modelling and collaboration
• Enjoy working cross‑functionally, leading teams, and delivering improvements in a fast‑paced environment
• Can be in our fantastic Luton head office 3 x per week

The Team

The Operational Planning team sits within the Operations Strategy & Planning function and leads the cross‑functional planning activities across the operation, particularly in the context of network and schedule. Operational Planning is central to a large volume of cross‑functional initiatives, driving value across the operation.

The Role

As Operations Planning Manager – Optimisation, you’ll report to the Head of Operational Planning and play a key role in supporting the design of our commercial flight schedule. You’ll ensure our schedule is safe, resilient, operationally feasible and cost efficient, while managing a team of skilled Operations Schedule Planning Analysts.

You’ll be at the heart of strategic system enhancements, driving improvements in schedule resilience and collaborating with stakeholders to frame trade‑off decisions. You’ll work closely with the Operations Insight & Improvement team to ensure observed operational performance is reflected in future modelling scenarios, increasing accuracy and confidence in projections. You’ll also build awareness of opportunities relating to schedule performance simulation and drive a variety of performance modelling activities for future schedules.

What we’re looking for

• Strategic analytical experience with a passion for detail and data‑driven decision making
• Ability to use data modelling to drive business initiatives and improve operational performance
• Educated to degree level in a mathematical or equivalent field
• Excellent communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to senior stakeholders
• Proven experience in numerical, analytical and problem‑solving roles
• Practical database skills (e.g. MS SQL) focused on data extraction and transformation
• Understanding of crew scheduling and flight time limitations
• Strong capability in MS Office applications, especially Excel
• Experience of continuous process improvement
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure

What you’ll get in return

• Up to 20% maximum bonus
• PMI
• 7% pension contributions
• Excellent staff travel benefits
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday
• Various flexible benefits and extras

Practicalities

This full‑time role will be based in Luton and will be 40 hours per week. We support hybrid working and we spend 60% of our time per month in the office.

Reasonable Adjustments

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.

Business Area

Operations