Senior Manager Operations Execution

Alaska Airlines; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free stand-by travel privileges

Travel credits

Comprehensive well-being programs

401k match

Annual bonus plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Alaska Airlines seeks a Senior Manager Operations Execution to lead a multi‑disciplinary team across Operations divisions. You will translate enterprise priorities into team objectives, shape roadmaps for systems and processes, and partner with executives to deliver cross‑functional improvements.

You will drive data‑driven decision making, manage budgets, and push for scalable, lasting value through change initiatives and AI adoption across operations teams.

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience supporting business processes, systems management or continuous improvement in areas related to Crew Management (Inflight or Pilot), Maintenance & Engineering, Airports Operations, Cargo, Systems Operations Control or related functions.
• 4 years of leadership experience, with at least some of this experience directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree with a focus in business administration, organizational development, or a related discipline, or an additional two years of training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Proven project and change management skills, and the ability to apply research and best practices to existing business problems.
• Ability to lead analysis studies in multiple areas and lead project definition and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Leads the team, operationalizes and sequences priorities for a multi‑disciplinary Operations Execution function supporting multiple divisions, partner with Director translating enterprise priorities into clear team objectives.
• Translates enterprise priorities into an executable roadmap for operations systems, processes, and transformation initiatives, and serves as a strategic advisor to divisional leadership by shaping direction, informing decisions, and executing on priorities.
• Makes high‑impact decisions across multiple functions and disciplines, leveraging data and insights to inform direction, translates analysis into outcomes, and ensures accountability for results.
• Leads cross‑functional integration initiatives and influences across teams and the enterprise to drive alignment, remove barriers, and advance strategic initiatives.
• Negotiates and aligns priorities across stakeholders, including Information Technology Services (ITS), FP&A, Ops Analytics and divisional leadership, cultivating strategic partnerships to advance operational and transformation goals.
• Establishes and continuously improves best‑in‑class processes, governance, and operating rhythms (e.g., business reviews, portfolio management), and maintains expertise in process improvement, change management, and industry best practices.
• Identifies, evaluates, and deploys AI and automation solutions (e.g., generative AI, intelligent automation, predictive analytics) to streamline operational workflows and accelerate decision‑making.
• Designs and creates implementation of practical adoption of AI tools across operations teams, including training employees to integrate them into daily work.
• Develops and leads the team through performance management, coaching, and ongoing feedback, focusing on building strategic and systems thinking, strengthening organizational capability across disciplines, and enabling succession planning and talent pipeline development.
• Shapes team and organizational culture through leadership presence, role modeling, and reinforcement of desired behaviors, and drives a culture of continuous improvement and change adoption.
• Owns and monitors budgets across multiple disciplines, and partners with FP&A and leadership to assess investments, build business cases, and track return on value delivered.
• Assesses organizational performance, risks, and opportunities, and establishes frameworks, tools, and capabilities that enable scalable, repeatable improvement and sustained multi‑year value creation.

Skills

Crew Management

Leadership

Project management

Data-driven decision making

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration

Job description

The Team

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.

Company

Alaska Airlines

Role Summary

The Senior Manager Operations Execution is an enterprise operations leader responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team of Operations Execution Managers across Alaska Airlines Operations Divisions. This role partners with the Director Operations Execution to translate enterprise strategy into outcomes, sequences priorities across the organization and drives execution of cross-functional systems and process initiatives that deliver sustained business value. As a people leader, the Senior Manager partners with divisional and executive leadership to influence decision‑making, align resources, and manage a portfolio of initiatives that support corporate objectives. Success in this role requires enterprise thinking, cross‑functional influence, and accountability for outcomes across multiple disciplines.

Key Duties

• Leads the team, operationalizes and sequences priorities for a multi‑disciplinary Operations Execution function supporting multiple divisions, partner with Director translating enterprise priorities into clear team objectives.
• Translates enterprise priorities into an executable roadmap for operations systems, processes, and transformation initiatives, and serves as a strategic advisor to divisional leadership by shaping direction, informing decisions, and executing on priorities.
• Makes high‑impact decisions across multiple functions and disciplines, leveraging data and insights to inform direction, translates analysis into outcomes, and ensures accountability for results.
• Leads cross‑functional integration initiatives and influences across teams and the enterprise to drive alignment, remove barriers, and advance strategic initiatives.
• Negotiates and aligns priorities across stakeholders, including Information Technology Services (ITS), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Ops Analytics and divisional leadership, cultivating strategic partnerships to advance operational and transformation goals.
• Establishes and continuously improves best‑in‑class processes, governance, and operating rhythms (e.g., business reviews, portfolio management), and maintains expertise in process improvement, change management, and industry best practices.
• Identifies, evaluates, and deploys AI and automation solutions (e.g., generative AI, intelligent automation, predictive analytics) to streamline operational workflows and accelerate decision‑making.
• Designs and creates implementation of practical adoption of AI tools across operations teams, including training employees to integrate them into daily work.
• Develops and leads the team through performance management, coaching, and ongoing feedback, focusing on building strategic and systems thinking, strengthening organizational capability across disciplines, and enabling succession planning and talent pipeline development.
• Shapes team and organizational culture through leadership presence, role modeling, and reinforcement of desired behaviors, and drives a culture of continuous improvement and change adoption.
• Owns and monitors budgets across multiple disciplines, and partners with FP&A and leadership to assess investments, build business cases, and track return on value delivered.
• Assesses organizational performance, risks, and opportunities, and establishes frameworks, tools, and capabilities that enable scalable, repeatable improvement and sustained multi‑year value creation.

Job‑Specific Experience, Education & Skills

Required

• 7 years of experience supporting business processes, systems management or continuous improvement in areas related to Crew Management (Inflight or Pilot), Maintenance & Engineering, Airports Operations, Cargo, Systems Operations Control or related functions.
• 4 years of leadership experience, with at least some of this experience directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree with a focus in business administration, organizational development, or a related discipline, or an additional two years of training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Proven project and change management skills, and the ability to apply research and best practices to existing business problems.
• Ability to lead analysis studies in multiple areas and lead project definition and recommendations.
• Expertise in using a data‑driven approach for decision making and solution implementation.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred

• Experience in management consulting, project management, change management, organizational development, Lean/Six Sigma process improvement, or related experience.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Master’s degree with a focus in aviation business or related field.

Job‑Specific Leadership Expectations

Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.

Salary Range

$148,250 - $229,800 / year

Salary Details

Pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

Note

We don’t typically hire at the top of the range.

Total Rewards

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

• Free stand‑by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
• Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
• Comprehensive well‑being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Regulatory Information

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

It is the policy of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.

We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.

We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”). All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.

To Implement This Policy, We Will

• Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories;
• Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and
• Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.

Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post‑offer and/or pre‑employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana