General Manager Operations Transformation

We're on a mission to bring new and uplifting experiences to our guests, transforming flying from simply 'nice', to something wonderful.

Like any good mission, this one starts with our people.

Which is why we encourage our team to embody the fun, laid back, authentic spirit we've become famous for. Because when they're free to be themselves, they're better able to own their personal responsibilities and go the extra mile to help our guests.

Job Overview Work type:

Full Time

Location:

Brisbane

Job type:

Consulting &
Strategy, Airline &
Network Operations, Senior Management

General Manager, Operations Transformation

Hello. We're Virgin Australia. We're the airline that's always done things a little different. Our way. The Virgin way. We're on a mission to make flying better than 'nice'. And to do that, it takes a team of talented people who are passionate about customer experience, doing the right thing always, with a focus on safety - in the air, on the ground and in our workplaces. A team who values real diversity and inclusion, in a big brand with big ambitions.

What you'll be doing

This is an exciting, newly created role that will report directly into our COO. The objective of the General Manager, Operations Transformation role is to support the COO with two primary responsibilities:

• Developing a consolidated Transformation Plan, encompassing all proposed Transformational Change across the Operations division, including creation and sponsorship of an Implementation Plan through FY26;
  
• Ensuring Operational Excellence - working with all the GMs in Operations, to ensure that the right skills are in place to deliver effective process redesign, as well as drive efficiency, quality, and best practice.

There are several opportunities to innovate and transform the Virgin Australia (VA) operational landscape using process and technology. VA needs to focus on these opportunities to maintain and further extend its competitive edge, while shaping the future of our operations structure and cost base.

The GM Transformation, Operations is responsible for identifying and implementing improvement opportunities in all Operational areas, managing major change initiatives, and supporting the delivery of significant operations transformation programmes of work, including the tracking, and reporting of benefit realisation to ELT and Board.

Further responsibilities include:

• Responsible for planning and defining the cost budget for the Operations Transformation team
• Responsible for tracking/measuring actual spend and ensure alignment with approved budget. Take corrective/preventative actions as required
• Accurate and timely reporting on benefit realisation of all transformation initiatives
• Drive a "
  Low cost"
  mindset and approach, whilst meeting defined business objectives
• Define and continuously improve the team structure, roles, and responsibilities
• Lead the division in strategic thinking and planning exercises
• Plan, prioritise, allocate work to various teams, managers, and team members. Define targets for each area
• Foster a collaborative, safe, passionate and fun team environment, living the Virgin Australia Values
• Ensure effectiveness of cross departmental and divisional communication to ensure critical information is available to all stakeholders
• Establish and manage Strategic initiatives across Operations from assessment to implementation
• Continually work to identify improvements in operations to drive improved safety and operational performance
• Participate in wider business engagement programs including regular two-way communications forums where stream strategic plans intersect with Operational Transformation delivery, covering flight operations business performance and strategic plans
• Drive a collaborative cross functional fast paced and dynamic working environment
• Define strategy for digital operations transformation and develop a roadmap with investment cases where appropriate to implement strategy and plan over multi year time horizon
• Programme Delivery - responsibility for the successful delivery of the operations transformation programmes / project portfolio, including a large range of projects of varying sizes and complexities.
• Ownership of the Operational PMO
• Ensure programmes / projects are delivered according to agreed budget / time / scope
• Develop, resource and maintain appropriate management processes, communication and information systems to support operational transformation
• Establish/reassess and/or collaborate on KPIs inc. but not limited to:
  
  • Cost (capex / opex / fuel saving, automation etc)
  • NPS / Customer Satisfaction / Complaints
  • System Performance / reliability
  • Employee Engagement

You'll be great in this role if you

• Have have had a General Manager role (or roles of equivalent seniority), within a large aviation business. (You have previously reported directly into Executive Leadership Teams)
• You currently work in aviation, or you have previously worked in aviation and you have a comprehensive understanding of the operational complexities within aviation
• Know Business Strategy and the frameworks around crafting strategies that deliver on financial and organisation goals
• Have a strong ability with numbers and you can leverage off data insights, to drive strategic decisions for the business
• Have worked for large, complex, corporate businesses, ideally in a listed environment
• Communicate exceptionally well across all levels of a business. You have the ability to craft engaging, high- impact messages
• Have an understanding of (and experience in) playing a key role in change management and process reengineering facilitation
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and uphold a positive reputation within a large organisation
• Have exposure to a dynamic working environment with a strong understanding of organisation culture
• Have a strong ability to execute, leveraging capability of direct reports and others
• Have financial and budgetary exposure in an operational environment
• Can independently relate existing policy to work assignments, or rethink the way a specific body of knowledge is applied in order to solve problems
• Have high level planning &
  organisational skills, as well as a systemic approach to business improvement

Our head office is in Brisbane. Furthermore, the stakeholders for this role are also based in Brisbane. If you apply to this role, you are either Brisbane based, willing to relocate to Brisbane, or willing to regularly commute up to Brisbane.

We're committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry - including (but not limited to):

• Discounted flights for you and your loved ones (including $1000 worth of travel credits per year)
• A flexible, hybrid work style. Work from home or the office, adapt your location to suit your style and needs
• One of Brisbane's most admired head office locations, with South Bank train station, a supermarket, pharmacy, and lunch options downstairs plus a 5-minute walk to the Busway, a rooftop restaurant and onsite gym (with a low membership fee) and South Bank Parklands just across the road
• Discounts on travel insurance, lounge membership, car hire, accommodation, and experiences worldwide
• Cheaper hospitality, retail, technology, beauty and wellness services
• Free counselling and access to a wellbeing app to support your physical, mental, social and financial health
• 'Dress for Your Day' - enjoy the freedom to wear whatever makes you feel great for the type of work you do and the day you have ahead of you.

When everyone is included, everyone wins

We're all individuals. And we love that. That's why we encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, our friends in the LGBTQI+ community, and anyone else who wants to join our family.

Ready to apply?

We're ready to hear from you. Apply now.