Airport Operations Specialist (Airside)
Aviation, Travel
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 or Equivalent (Essential)
- Diploma/Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management, Data Analytics, Logistics, or a related discipline (Essential)
- Minimum 7 years' experience in airport or airline operations, with at least 2 years in a specialist or supervisory capacity (Essential)
- Demonstrated experience in third-party/vendor performance management (Essential); - Demonstrated experience in data analytics (Essential)
- Proven track record of applying data insights to improve operational efficiency and service quality (Essential)
- Knowledge of Baggage and Ramp handling Procedures
- Knowledge of IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM)
- Knowledge of IATA Ground Operations Manual (GOM)
- Knowledge of Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Safety Standards and Maintenance
- Sound understanding of SACAA regulations and airport operational standards
- Knowledge of relevant Airport Authority Operation Procedures Manual
- Knowledge of IATA Dangerous Goods Manual
- Proficiency in data analysis tools, reporting systems, and MS Office. Personal Attributes: Professional
- Integrity
- Reliable and dependable
- Able to work independently
- Proactive
- Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
- Strong stakeholder engagement and vendor management capability
- Decision-making authority under operational pressure.
Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee weekly operational plans, aligning resources (staffing and equipment) to business priorities and passenger demand forecasts
- Anticipate operational constraints and recommend proactive solutions to maintain service quality and compliance
- Contribute to workforce and capacity planning to ensure operational resilience
- Manage relationships with contracted third-party providers and airport authority, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations, service-level agreements, and safety standards
- Lead performance reviews with service providers, addressing deficiencies and negotiating improvements
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Flight Operations, Technical and Ground Handling) to align operational activities
- Act as the delegated authority for the Base Manager during periods of absence, ensuring operational continuity and compliance with safety, security, and regulatory requirements
- Provide guidance and direction to operational staff, escalating and resolving complex issues when required
- Represent the Base Manager in audits, regulatory inspections, and cross-functional operational forums where required
- Collect, interpret, and model operational data (e.g., turnaround times, incident investigations, delay root cause analysis, passenger handling metrics, and third-party KPls)
- Design and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to monitor real-time performance and long-term trends;
