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Job Description - Operational Planning Development Manager (16181)

Job Description

Operational Planning Development Manager ( 16181 )

Description

Team

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Operational Planning team as an Operational Planning Development Manager. The team is part of the Operations Strategy & Planning function and leads the cross-functional planning activities across the operation. Operational Planning is central to a large volume of cross-functional initiatives, driving value across the operation.

What you’ll be doing

The Operational Planning Development Manager reports to the Senior Operational Planning Manager and plays a key role in aligning operational planning with long-term strategic and commercial goals. As a critical link between operational and network functions, the role leads cross-functional mid-term planning and serves as the primary operational input into the network planning process, ensuring successful delivery of network allocation - particularly in relation to growth and new jurisdictions, and fleet capability.

You’ll own visibility and coordination of long-term fleet and growth plans across Operations Strategy & Planning and the wider operational teams and develops analytical models and business cases to assess planning approaches that enhance resilience, flexibility, and cost efficiency. You will also be responsible for delivering cross-functional initiatives that improve commercial and operational performance, including fleet capability, maintenance planning, and leasing strategies - covering external wet leasing as well as internal wet, dry, and damp leasing. In addition, you’ll lead the operational coordination of new base openings and high-complexity network points and owns feasibility assessments that enable long-term network concepts to be translated into deliverable operational plans.

Requirements of the Role

What you’ll need to do the role:

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring a strong analytical background, ideally supported by a degree in a mathematical or related field. You’ll have proven experience in business planning and forecasting within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with the ability to balance operational, strategic, and commercial priorities - maintaining attention to detail while keeping a clear view of the bigger picture. Strong numerical and problem-solving skills are essential, alongside advanced Excel capability and practical experience with databases such as SQL, particularly for data extraction and converting insights into action.

Flexibility and resilience are key, with the ability to adapt to changing demands and tight timelines. Excellent communication skills are also important, including the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently to senior stakeholders. An understanding of crew scheduling, establishment planning, and flight time limitations will be beneficial, along with experience in continuous improvement and process optimisation.

If you have experience within these areas, we would love to hear from you!

What you’ll get in return:

> Competitive base salary
> Up to 20% bonus
> 25 days holiday
> BAYE, SAYE & Performance share schemes
> 7% pension
> Life Assurance
> Flexible benefits package
> Excellent staff travel benefits

Location & Hours of Work:

This is a full time role, working 40 hours per week, based in London Luton. We support hybrid working and spend three days per week in the office.

Apply

Complete your application on our careers site.

We encourage individuality, empower our people to seize the initiative, and never stop learning. We see people first and foremost for their performance and potential and we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates.

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