Airfield Services Manager

International Airport of Heraklion, Crete S.A. is currently looking for a:

Airfield Services Manager

Role responsibilities:

• Develops strategic policies, plans and operational concepts and procedures ensuring that the airport is fully compliant with international safety regulatory requirements to maintain the Aerodrome License. 
• Develops departmental Standard Operating Procedures and Business Continuity Plans for the Airfield Services and the Sweepers teams and contributes to the development of the AOM and the AEP.
• Conducts risk assessments and develops mitigation plans to address risks.
• Regularly reviews and updates the risk management plans.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management and monitoring of operations, ensuring that all apron activities are conducted in an orderly and compliant manner and all users respect the Airport's safety regulations and policies.
• Responsible for defining and ensuring regular inspections of runways, taxiways and aprons, including lighting systems, etc. identifying and mitigating any hazards such as FOD, Wildlife, maintenance requirements etc.
• Oversees the operations of airside service providers, such as Ground Handlers, Fueling, Catering etc, to ensure that they operate safely and in compliance with local and international regulations.
• Intervenes when unsafe working practices are identified to stop and mitigate such activities and subsequently takes necessary action for reporting, investigation and monitoring of corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Identifies and proposes technological solutions that will support the safe conduct of the daily operations while maintaining a lean team structure.
• Works closely with the APOC Manager to develop allocation plans and identifies solutions that will optimize the use of the available resources as well as ensure and enhance smooth apron operations.
• Supports the Safety Manager in developing and implementing a robust Safety Management System and a comprehensive Occurrence Reporting and Investigation Regime compliant to EASA Safety Management principles, including statistical trend analysis and target level setting.
• Jointly develops a robust but simple AVOP Training based on EASA regulations and the airport's characteristics.
• Supports the Emergency Planning Manager in developing the Aerodrome Emergency Plan based on the latest recommended practices and procedures and ensuring the document is a comprehensive and user-friendly one that caters for the needs of the respective users.
• Participates in the establishment of a strong stakeholder relationship.
• Serves as a liaison between airport management, airlines, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate decision-making, issues resolve and  initiatives implementation.
• Identifies and assesses needs and suggests plans, procedures and/or ways to optimize efficiency of hard resources and maintains the highest levels of safety.
• Ensures that operations comply with environmental legislation, policy and procedures.
• Liaises with the Environmental Manager on wildlife hazard management, noise abatement and emissions and ensures mitigation plans are applied by the Airfield team.
• Contributes to the development of any/all airfield improvement or expansion plans.
• Manages and oversees the Airside Work Permits, including risk assessment for works and develops mitigation measures and coordination processes for all airside activities.
• Initiates a Change Management process for works or developments that have major impact to the structure of the apron and/or operational procedures.
• Manages project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively, coordinating with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure successful project delivery.
• Supports in the implementation of strategic projects such as Advanced Tower Operations and A-CDM aimed at enhancing airport operations, improving passenger experience and optimizing resource utilization.
• Analyzes data, trends, and operational performance reports to identify opportunities for improvement, develops action plans, and measures the impact of strategic initiatives.
• Manages and leads during irregular operations to minimize the consequences to the operation and services.
• Acts as the Management's representative during emergency situations,leads the Airfield Services and Sweepers teams and provides guidance to ensure Business Continuity Plans are implemented.
• Manages the Airfield and Sweeper operational staff, ensuring that they are adequately trained and motivated to deliver their responsibilities.
• Sets, monitors and reviews the Teams' KPIs and ensures that all personnel are aware of their responsibilities and are aligned to the business objectives and Safety KPIs.
• Educates the Airfield Services team in utilizing the available technology to maintain operational awareness, act proactively and be prepared under all circumstances.
• Jointly develops cross-function training plans between all Operations teams aiming to raise the understanding and awareness of each team's functions, supporting the Business Continuity and professional development of the teams' members.

Requirements:

• Valid RTF License, AVOP License
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in airport management, aviation operations, or related roles, with demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
• Strong understanding of airport operations, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices, with knowledge of European aviation regulations and standards.
• Proficient in project management tools and techniques, with experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects from initiation to completion.
• Proficiency Diploma in English.

Competencies:

• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus and drive collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and develop data-driven strategies and solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize competing demands, and adapt to changing priorities and circumstances.