Airport Operations Manager

Cathay Pacific

Airport & Cargo Operations

Airport Service Delivery Department

Permanent

Seattle, Washington, USA

Application deadline: 05 Nov 2025

Company Description

Cathay is a leading premium travel lifestyle brand based in Hong Kong, offering products and services across four lines of business - Premium Travel, Cargo, Low-Cost Travel and Lifestyle. The Cathay Group comprises premium full-service airline Cathay Pacific, cargo business Cathay Cargo, low-cost airline HK Express, express all-cargo carrier Air Hong Kong, and various other subsidiaries.

Cathay Pacific was founded in Hong Kong in 1946. The Group has been deeply committed to its home base, extending to the rest of Greater Bay Area, and making substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world's leading international aviation centres.

Role Introduction

Cathay Pacific is looking for an individual to join the Airport Team in Seattle. The successful candidate will lead and manage the overall airport operations to run smoothly and efficiently during all operational shifts whilst complying with the established safety, security and quality standards. They will deliver the best possible operation and airport service experience ensuring our customers always feel special and valued at all times, regardless of circumstance. The successful individual will inspire our people and suppliers to embrace change and excel in everything they do including to take every opportunity to benefit from technological advancement and representing the Company's best interests within the local community.

Overview

Safety First, Quality Always

Rigorously execute corporate safety, security and quality policies to ensure the station, employees and suppliers are fully compliant with all regulatory requirements and quality standards

Achieve absolute operational integrity, with zero safety defects and security infringements

Advocate a "Just Culture" and develop proactive partnerships with stakeholders in root cause investigations and analysis

Partner with local airport management to identify and mitigate personal, safety and security risks in the workplace for employees (suppliers included) by promoting and developing a culture of zero tolerance on safety and security incidents

Act as the Airline's Operational Duty Holder (ODH) of the airport adhering to the risk escalation process to the Functional Duty Holder (GM ASD)

People Development and Performance Management

Lead, support and encourage own team to achieve success

Build a strong and motivated team, ensure the right organisational structure and the right people are in place to foster positive team spirit and facilitate teamwork

Actively participate in recruitment and selection activities for the airport team

Supervise and mentor direct reports, encouraging effective collaboration

Develop employees with high potential and identify learning opportunities to ensure appropriate training and development programmes are in place to suit both self-handled and 3rd party ports as appropriate

Maintain active and ongoing dialogue in relation to employee goals and performance

Actively engage with employees to enhance communication and their understanding of department goals

Demonstrate leadership and lead by example in accordance with Cathay Pacific's core values

Enhance the employee experience in line with the role level and the brand promise

Represent Cathay's interests in the airport community

Actively engage and manage external airport relationships in the best interests of the Company - authorities, suppliers and service providers, Oneworld partners, and other airlines

Ensure competition compliance involvement in airport-related industry affairs

Act as the representative in AOC or BAR to protect the interests of the airline

Proactive Partnerships with Regional and Head Office

Sustain effective communication with Head / Regional Office to establish mutual understanding

Partner with Head / Regional Office departments on improvement initiatives and projects

Champion Head / Regional Office initiatives

Develop and implement local strategy in conjunction with Head / Regional Office directives and frameworks

E&A

Emergency and Accident and Crisis Response responsibilities as required

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

Lead the local team to achieve error free operational excellence with particular emphasis on safety management, on time performance, baggage handling and future airport experience

Proactively explore ways to excel above published standards, airport policies and procedures

Deploy resources productively to maximise efficiency

Celebrate and promote 'Best Practise'

Oversee and play an integral role to ensure airport operational continuity

Commitment to owning the full spectrum of airport operational issues and resolving them in a pragmatic, commercial and legally compliant manner

Undertake any other reasonable task as required

Outstanding Product and Services

Inspire the local team to live the 'Service Straight From The Heart' principles as an enabler to create genuine connection and memorable experiences for our customers across all points of contact

Actively seek opportunities to apply new technologies in the customer experience flow

Drive airport lounge experience to the highest level with a customer centric approach

Confer recognition on, and earn the loyalty and emotional attachment of, our highest-value customers (front-end and elite Marco Polo members)

Crisis Management Capability and Preparedness

Support the Regional Business Resilience Coordinator to develop organisational, supplier and individual capabilities for effectively handling Emergency and Accident (E&A), Irregular Operations (IROPS), and other foreseeable airport contingencies

Plan for and manage exercises, reviews, and update all contingency plans and manual backup procedures at least once per annum

Implement IROPS plan during significant disruptions and lead the team to mitigate further disruption to the operational plan

Ensure our customers are cared for, informed and given choice where possible through the use of disruption management tools

Supplier Management

Actively manage supplier performance levels as per contract and service level agreements

Ensure sub-contracting as per contract and engage the relevant parties when information and changes occur

Set clear direction and expectations to suppliers as per corporate requirements

Conduct regular (at least monthly) performance review meetings with the suppliers

Establish action plans and ensure the plan is being delivered in an efficient manner and keep track of all documentation

Cost Efficiency

Plan and manage station budget and airport-related costs with all key stakeholders

Seek opportunities to drive down costs by making them controllable

Seek revenue opportunities by maximising the utilisation of properties e.g. Lounge

Manage budgets and costs effectively without compromising legislation, levels of service or operational performance

Requirements

Academic qualifications

Post-Secondary Diploma / Certificate in an Airport or service-related discipline or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is required

Bachelors and/or Master's degree in operations management, business administration, airport planning and management or airport operations is desirable

Knowledge, skills, training and experience

Excellent command of written and spoken English is mandatory with the local language being an advantage

Three years' airport operational / customer handling experience

At least two years' recent experience in a supervisory / management capacity

Up to date knowledge of all regulatory and local legal requirements relating to airport operations and passenger processing

Command of the different management processes and their importance as they vary from normal operations to disruption or emergency situations

Superior independent working capabilities coupled with good decision-making skills

Self-motivated and committed leader who enjoys team work

Strong customer service mentality with superior interpersonal skills

Effective use of negotiation skills

Good analytical/numerical skills and experience of planning, reviewing and managing budgets and costs

Ability to interpret and implement global policy to ensure local compliance

Ability to think logically and commercially in order to present and justify ideas/findings to a wide variety of audiences that are often culturally diverse

High personal presentation as the job-holder is expected to represent the Company at external/internal meetings

Proven track record of supplier management in-line with Company policy to involve contract renewal, negotiation, agreeing terms of business, and senior management endorsement

Strong computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Leads, adapts to and embraces constant change while experiencing tight deadlines

Additional Requirements

Must possess a valid state issued driver's license

Must successfully pass all pre-screening clearances, including a background check and pre-employment drug screen upon contingent job offer

Obtain and retain necessary credentials and clearances (SIDA and Customs Seal) per local requirements

Strong cognitive reasoning and mathematical skills are essential

Ability to move equipment up to 50 lbs occasionally

Comfortable working outdoors on the tarmac in all weather conditions

Must be able to work weekends, nights and holidays, as required based on operational needs

Must have the right to live in work in the USA

Background & Security

Certain Employees will be required to obtain a Security Identification Display Area, (SIDA) badge provided by the airport authority and maintain good standing to retain their SIDA badge.

Employment will require successful completion of a 'Drug Free Workplace' test

Benefits

Cathay Pacific Airways is proud to offer eligible employees competitive Compensation & Benefits package, as varied by location, regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment and employment status as highlighted below.

Travel Privileges on Cathay Pacific Airways Global Network

Extensive well-being programs including health, dental, prescription, vision, virtual doctor visits and flexible spending accounts and employee assistance program benefits to help you stay well.

Generous 401K Matching Program

Paid Holiday & Vacation

LTD & Basic Life Insurance

If this position requires a uniform, a uniform allowance will be provided.

To learn more about Cathay Pacific as a Certified Great Place Employer -Please Click Here (https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7079941)

Salary Range -

The estimated salary range for this role is $80,448 to $120,612 per year. Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location.

Personal & Application Information

Cathay Pacific Airways is an Equal Opportunity (EOE) (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights.pdf) and Affirmative Action (AA) (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp\%20English\formattedESQA508c.pdf) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law and will not be discriminated against. Cathay Pacific Airways is an E-Verify participating employer.

If you require assistance or an accommodation in completing any aspect of the application process, please contact the Cathay Americas Recruiting team at: jobs@cathaypacific.com .

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited

Latest Jobs

Airport Operations Manager