Aviation Search Group is excited to partner with a growing, Canadian-based airline to identify a VP of Operations to lead their company into the next stage of growth. This position is NOT located in Winnipeg, the specific location is confidential at this stage. Please apply to learn more!
Reporting directly to the President / Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President, Operations provides executive leadership and operational oversight for Aircraft Maintenance, Flight Operations and Ground Support.
This position requires deep aviation technical expertise, particularly in aircraft maintenance and flight operations, combined with proven ability to lead experienced departmental Directors. The Vice President will strengthen fleet readiness, safe and compliant operations, cross-departmental coordination, financial accountability, and service reliability in a multi-base northern aviation environment.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & Integrated Operations
- Lead and hold accountable the Directors of Aircraft Maintenance, Flight Operations and Ground Support.
- Align departmental plans, resources, priorities, and performance measures with the airline’s operational and strategic objectives.
- Provide the President with informed advice on technical capability, operational risks, fleet performance, capital requirements, and emerging issues.
- Coordinate responses to major disruptions, competing operational priorities, and changes affecting the airline’s operating capability.
Aircraft Maintenance & Flight Operations
- Provide executive oversight of aircraft airworthiness, maintenance planning, fleet reliability, technical dispatch performance, and aircraft availability.
- Ensure Maintenance and Flight Operations have appropriate leadership, staffing, training, processes, and resources to fulfill their responsibilities.
- Oversee operational readiness, flight crew capacity, aircraft utilization, training capability, and coordination of maintenance and flying schedules.
- Support long-term fleet planning, major maintenance investments, aircraft transitions, and improvements to operational systems.
Ground Support.
- Provide leadership for ground handling standards, equipment readiness, station resources, and aircraft turnaround efficiency across operational bases.
- Ensure effective coordination among Ground Support, Maintenance, and Flight Operations to deliver safe and reliable service and to meet the Commercial needs of the Company.
Safety, Compliance & Risk Management
- Champion safe operations and compliance with applicable Canadian Aviation Regulations, Transport Canada requirements, approved manuals, and the Safety Management System (SMS).
- Ensure material findings, operational hazards, technical risks, and corrective actions are identified, escalated, and followed through.
- Work collaboratively with People and Safety and designated aviation personnel, respecting their specific regulatory authorities and responsibilities.
Financial Performance & People Leadership
- Oversee departmental budgets, operating costs, resource allocation, capital planning, and relevant operational performance indicators.
- Develop Directors through clear objectives, coaching, performance management, workforce planning, and succession readiness.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen reliability, technical capacity, safety, accountability, and operational efficiency.
Requirements- 10+ years of progressive aviation experience, including substantial responsibility in aircraft maintenance, flight operations, or technical airline operations.
- 7–10 years of senior leadership experience managing complex aviation teams, senior managers, or multidisciplinary operational functions.
- Demonstrated technical credibility in aircraft maintenance and flight operations, with the judgment to lead and challenge specialists in both disciplines.
- Strong working knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations, Transport Canada oversight, airworthiness, operational control, and SMS principles.
- Experience with fleet planning, maintenance reliability, crew capability, airport/ground operations, and operational performance management.
- Proven financial management, executive communication, change leadership, and organizational planning capabilities.
- Relevant aviation or technical post-secondary education, professional qualifications, or equivalent combination of experience and training.
- A Transport Canada AME license, Commercial Pilot License, or Airline Transport Pilot License is a significant asset.
- Experience in regional, charter, and cargo is strongly preferred.
Working Conditions
- Executive schedule with availability outside regular business hours during significant operational events.
- Occasional work in hangar, airside, and airport ramp environments, including varying weather conditions.
Eligibility & Accommodation
- Applicants must have current eligibility to work in Canada.
