Operations Manager-Birmingham Airport

Location: Birmingham Airport

Reporting to: Head of Airside

Are you ready to lead an airside operation at one of the UK’s busiest airports? Swissport UK&I is seeking a dynamic, commercial and safety-driven Operations Manager, to oversee our operation services at Birmingham Airport. This is a fundamental leadership role where you’ll drive performance, inspire teams and deliver exceptional services within a fast-paced aviation environment

What be you’ll doing?

• Lead and monitor safety compliance, implement emergency plans, and foster a proactive safety culture across all airside operations.
• Manage station financial performance, ensuring labour-to-revenue targets, cost control, and profitability are consistently achieved.
• Provide strong leadership to diverse teams, overseeing people management processes, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with trade unions, customers, airport authorities, and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate resource planning and operational delivery to meet performance KPIs and maintain high service standards.
• Drive continuous improvement by analysing operational trends and implementing strategic changes to enhance efficiency.
• Support business growth by identifying commercial opportunities and aligning new contracts with station P&L objectives.
• Promote a customer-centric culture, embedding client knowledge across teams and ensuring service excellence at every touchpoint.

 What you’ll need?

•  Proven track record managing large-scale airside or ground operations, ideally within aviation or transport sectors.
• Experience implementing emergency plans, driving safety culture, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and KPIs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage P&L, control costs, meet labour-to-revenue targets, and analyse performance data to drive profitability.
• Skilled in leading diverse teams, managing performance, resolving conflicts, and building relationships with trade unions, customers, and regulatory bodies.
• Experience identifying growth opportunities, challenging operational norms, and aligning new business with financial objectives.
• Background in resource planning, KPI monitoring, and maintaining high service standards across complex operational environments.
• Experience leading change initiatives, managing start-up projects, and adapting to evolving business needs.
• Ability to embed customer insights into team culture and operations, ensuring service delivery aligns with client expectations and market demands.

At Swissport, we’re more than an aviation services provider—we’re a global community driven by passion, innovation, and excellence. As the Operations Manager, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of our industry-leading operations, surrounded by a supportive network of professionals who are as dedicated to delivering outstanding service as you are.

Why Swissport?

• Join a vibrant operational global team, operating at more than 300 airports worldwide.
• Grow you career through leadership, development and operational advancement.
• Lead in an environment where teamwork, safety and quality shine.

Apply now to lead with impact and help Swissport shape the future of aviation services at Birmingham Airport.