Senior Manager - Flight Ops Crew Scheduling & Administration

Socket.dev; Arlington Heights (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

United Airlines is seeking a Senior Manager of Flight Operations Crew Scheduling and Administration to provide strategic leadership for pilot scheduling, workforce planning, and crew administration. You will partner with Flight Operations, Human Resources, Crew Planning, Digital Technology, and labor organizations to ensure a safe, reliable and efficient airline operation.

The role emphasizes staffing strategies, data‑driven decision making, and continuous improvement while developing leaders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aviation/Aeronautics, Supply Chain, Statistics, Economics, Operations Research, Engineering, Business, Computer Sciences, Logistics/Transportation, or related fields.
• 5-8 years of relevant experience.
• Exceptional organizational, presentation, analytical and communication skills.
• Proven interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to partner with leaders across all levels of the organization to drive results and organizational change
• Proven success managing complex cross‑functional projects and strategic initiatives.
• Innovative strategic thinker with proven track record of driving change.
• Demonstrated experience leading change management and process improvement.
• Proven ability to develop talent, build high‑performing teams, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

Responsibilities

• Lead the Flight Operations Crew Scheduling organization and staffing strategy.
• Drive workforce planning, scheduling readiness, and crew administration.
• Partner with labor organizations, HR, and Digital Technology to optimize processes.
• Develop leaders and foster a high‑performance culture.
• Present regular updates to executive leadership on operations and initiatives.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Talent development

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what's next. Let's define tomorrow, together.

Description

Get ready for a career at the leading edge of the airline industry! Our Flight Operations team works hard to connect people and unite the world safely, reliably and efficiently every single day. From industry leadership and pioneering technologies to next-level training courses, our Flight Ops team hires, trains, qualifies and supports the best pilots in the industry. The moments we share in the air and on the ground with our customers and our colleagues make United a special place to work and a great way to fly, together.

Job overview and responsibilities

The Senior Manager of Flight Operations Crew Scheduling and Administration provides strategic and operational leadership for the pilot scheduling, workforce planning, and crew administration functions. This role drives operational readiness, workforce optimization, process improvements, and technology initiatives that support a safe, reliable and efficient airline operation. Partnering closely with Flight Operations, Human Resources, Crew Planning, Digital Technology, and labor organizations, the Senior Manager develops and executes effective staffing strategies, operational readiness, establishes trust and builds relationships, leads organizational performance and employee development. The role ensures alignment between business objectives, operational needs, and workforce capabilities while driving continuous improvement across the organization.

• Lead the Flight Operations Crew Scheduling organization, providing strategic and operational oversight of pilot scheduling execution, staffing strategy, operational readiness, and support of irregular operations. Establish organizational and operational priorities, monitor performance, and ensure the department consistently delivers safe, reliable, and efficient crew scheduling solutions that support airline operations. Ensure resources, processes, and decision‑making are aligned to meet business objectives, regulatory requirements and operational demands.
• Provide strategic leadership for workforce planning, pilot staffing initiatives, and crew scheduling programs. Partner with Crew Planning and operational leaders to develop and implement staffing strategies that support operational needs and improve long‑term scheduling effectiveness through data‑driven decision making.
• Lead cross‑functional process improvement, technology, automation, and innovation initiatives that enhance crew scheduling operations and organizational effectiveness. Partner with Digital Technology and business stakeholders to modernize scheduling processes, drive operational efficiencies, and implement scalable automation solutions that enhance employee productivity and operational outcomes.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with labor representatives, operational stakeholders, and business partners to drive alignment and support organizational objectives. Represent Crew Scheduling in operational forums, planning discussions, and strategic initiatives to ensure alignment across the enterprise.
• Lead and develop leaders and employees through coaching, talent development, succession planning, training, and performance management initiatives. Foster a high‑performance culture focused on engagement, accountability, operational excellence, consistency, and continuous improvement while building organizational capabilities to support current and future business needs.
• Ensure consistent administration of company policies, procedures, employee accommodations, and workforce programs. Partner with Human Resources and leadership teams to address employee relations matters, mitigate risk, and support consistent application of policies and workforce practices across the organization.
• Present regular updates to executive leadership and key stakeholders regarding operational performance, strategic initiatives, workforce planning efforts, technology deployments and department priorities. Develop clear communication strategies that increase organizational awareness, drive stakeholder engagement and support alignment across the company

Qualifications

What's needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's Degree (Field of Study; Aviation/Aeronautics, Supply Chain, Statistics, Economics, Operations Research, Engineering, Business, Computer Sciences, Logistics/Transportation, or related fields)
• 5-8 years of relevant experience
• Exceptional organizational, presentation, analytical and communication skills with the ability to translate complex operational issues into clear business recommendations.
• Proven interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to partner with leaders across all levels of the organization to drive results and organizational change
• Proven success managing complex cross‑functional projects and strategic initiatives.
• Innovative strategic thinker with proven track record of driving change
• Demonstrated experience leading change management and process improvement

• Proven ability to develop talent, build high‑performing teams, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Effectively manage people and processes

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship

• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
  

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's Degree (Field of Study; Engineering, Operations Research)
• 8+ years of relevant leadership experience
• 2+ years of leadership experience
• 1+ years experience leading/collaborating on large scale growth initiatives

• 2+ years of experience in data analytics of process improvement

• Project Management Experience
• Six Sigma
  

The base pay range for this role is $127,870.00 to $166,492.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills.

This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]