Planning & Intelligence Manager

Heathrow Airport; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Heathrow Airport is seeking an Operational Planner to enhance planning capabilities and improve service quality for millions of passengers. The role involves developing operational plans, collaborating with various stakeholders, and applying analytical skills to manage operations effectively. The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical abilities and experience in stakeholder engagement, with proficiency in tools such as Excel, R, or Python for data analysis.

Qualifications

• Strong influencing and communication skills with stakeholders.
• Proficient in Excel; familiarity with R, Python, SQL is optional.
• Experienced in operational capacity planning and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver operational plans across baggage, aircraft, and passenger areas.
• Collaborate with various teams to align operational plans with needs.
• Provide critical information for decision-making in operations.

Skills

Analytical insights

Problem solving

Stakeholder engagement

Data interpretation

Facilitation skills

Tools

Excel

R

Python

SQL

Job description

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Job Description

Reporting to the Operational Planning and Performance Lead. In this pivotal role, you'll turn data into actionable insights, collaborate across a wide range of stakeholders, and make timely decisions that directly shape the experience of millions of passengers and thousands of colleagues.

The role focuses on developing and communicating efficient operational plans across seasonal, monthly, weekly, and daily timelines, while adapting to tactical changes as needed. You'll support the enhancement of planning capabilities and help embed improvements into daily operations to boost performance, efficiency, and service quality.

Following the 'Plan, Do, Review' approach, you'll work closely with internal and external stakeholders such as Business Leads, Airlines, and Handling Agents to refine plans and assess the impact of changes like flight delays, resource constraints, or infrastructure issues.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, based at the Compass Centre with hybrid working, requiring at least three days a week in the office. This role is not eligible for shift pay.

This role will be working closely with airline's and focusing specifically on the flow and process around checkout.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver operational plans across baggage, aircraft, and passenger areas from seasonal to day-of-operation, while dynamically adjusting during disruption or major incidents.
• Apply logic-driven problem solving and sound judgment to manage complexity, working independently and proactively.
• Collaborate with commercial, project, capacity, and terminal teams to align plans with operational needs and long-term strategy.
• Ensure operational teams have timely access to critical information for decision-making in the lead-up to and on the day of operation.
• Create and communicate event-specific plans using internal and external intelligence, working closely with teams to assess impacts and readiness.
• Share short- to medium-term planning insights, interpret daily plans for functional teams, and balance supply and demand across Heathrow's operations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates strong influencing and facilitation skills, building effective relationships and clearly communicating analytical insights and performance trends to a variety of stakeholders.
• Proficient in conducting basic to intermediate analysis using Excel or similar tools, with optional familiarity in R, Python, SQL, or general data science concepts.
• Confident in making decisions in situations with ambiguity or limited information, using logic and initiative to manage complexity and identify solutions.
• Uses a wide range of data sources to develop operational plans, supported by a solid foundation in mathematics and an understanding of forecasting, planning, and performance metrics.
• Brings a curious and analytical mindset, able to filter relevant information, focus analysis effectively, and validate findings. Experience with operational capacity planning and stakeholder engagement is beneficial.