GROUND OPERATIONS MANAGER - ITALY

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY! Wizz Air is a leading European low-cost airline. Our mission is to provide affordable and reliable air travel to everyone, everywhere, while minimizing our environmental impact. We are proud to foster a diverse and inclusive team of over 8,000 employees from more than 100 nationalities, who share our values of inclusivity, positivity, dedication, integrity, and sustainability. As a rapidly expanding airline, we offer exciting career opportunities across a range of functions, from flight operations to engineering, customer experience, finance, and more. We provide extensive training and development opportunities to help our employees grow and succeed in their roles. Joining Wizz Air means joining a team that is passionate about aviation, dedicated to excellence, and committed to making air travel accessible and sustainable for all. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the aviation industry, we welcome you to explore our job opportunities and become a part of our success story. Ground Operations Manager - Italy Based in Malpensa Purpose of the position: The Ground Operations Manager ensures safe, efficient, and compliant ground operations at designated stations. This role involves managing relationships with key stakeholders, overseeing day-to-day operations, addressing disruptions, and driving performance and cost efficiency. The position plays a vital role in maintaining safety standards, operational excellence, and representing Wizz Air’s interests in local markets. Duties and responsibilities: Owning and maintaining local relationships at the nominated airports, including but not limited to airport authorities, ground handling, control authorities and relevant state departments; Ensuring that Wizz Air has the best possible representation in the local markets and all key internal stakeholders are kept fully informed and suitably represented as required on all issues concerning the operation, including quality of product and customer service; Ensuring the safety, security and compliance of ground operation activities including all contracted activities at the nominated stations; Oversight of the start-up of new operational locations (new stations and bases); capacity increase of operational bases, alternate and diversion arrangements; Maintain timely and effective contacts with other departments within Wizz Air and with outside organizations, contractors, external entities; Liaison with the competent authorities on ground operations matters in the nominated market; Ensuring safe, compliant and secure day-to-day operations including operational efficiency, on-time performance, disruption management, customer care, oversight of relevant programmes and system developments; Ensure that the nominated ground handling companies and airport authorities comply with the relevant regulations, company policies and standards and with Wizz Air safety requirements at all times; Co-ordinate and manage the nominated ground handling suppliers and airport companies to deliver targeted performance outcomes in all areas of safety, cost control and operational performance; Communication and follow up in case of flight disruptions and follow up on service recovery procedures, based on EU261 and/or other local regulations; Monitor operational messages and delay codes, follow up with noncomplying stations; Maintain continuous oversight of deviations from company standards at nominated stations, ensuring the on-time execution of safety and compliance corrective and improvement actions; Undertake station visits and relevant audits/inspections and trainings as follow up on outstanding items as Air Safety reports, mystery passenger report, audit findings within the confines of Ground Operations processes; Participate in cross-functional projects and new product development from planning to introduction stage; Liaison with Airport Development and Purchasing departments to secure lowest cost contracts and working on long term cost cutting strategies; Participate in SGHA negotiations, vendor research and selection; Liaison with the relevant Safety, Security and Compliance Managers on safety, security and compliance matters affecting ground operations at the nominated stations; The Ground Operations Manager has the authority to: Take actions in response of operational problems and disruptions at nominated stations; Act in case of safety issues affecting his stations; Take part in the company’s emergency response activity / crisis management team; Escalate safety & compliance concerns to the Regional Manager or to the Nominated Person; Liaise with Authorities in the local market; Liaison with other external entities. Participating in meetings: Functional Safety Action Group – attend Weekly Ground Operations meeting – attend Weekly Regional GO meeting – attend Operations Control meeting – attend Operational Performance Review (D15 & AOG) – attend Bi-weekly Ground Ops, Airport Development meeting – attend Requirements: Shall have an understanding of the airline ground operations concept; 3 years of relevant work experience; People management experience; Strong interpersonal and organisational skills; Solid decision-making; Work well under pressure; Fluent English (written and spoken); Bachelor Degree or equivalent; Computer proficiency; Safety Management and Compliance Monitoring Systems training; What We Offer: Base salary and employee bonus scheme; Unlimited number of significantly discounted and confirmed seating tickets, giving access to a continuously growing network of destinations; Relocation package (if applicable); Life insurance; Instant impact, from any level of the organisation, exposure to C-suite management; Fast career progression, internal mobility and talent management supported by training opportunities (Wizz Academy and bespoke trainings); True international and multi-cultural work environment, passionate, driven and diverse teams; When applying, please only provide valid information regarding your educational background and certificates, as the original documents will be requested during the hiring process. We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your skills and experience. Join the Wizz Air team and discover the world of opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr