Operational Planning Manager – Schedule

We are easyJet – a FTSE-100 listed, multi-billion-pound low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours – we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

Read on if you:

>      Have proven management experience and at least five years in an airline operations department

>      Enjoy leading cross-functional planning, driving operational excellence, and influencing commercial decision-making

>      Can be in our fantastic Luton head office 3 x per week

The Team

The Operational Planning team sits within the Operations Strategy & Planning function and leads cross-functional planning activities across the operation, particularly in the context of our network and schedule. Operational Planning is central to a large volume of cross-functional initiatives, driving value across the operation in line with our ambition to excel in planning and analytics.

The Role

As Operational Planning Manager – Schedule, you will:

>      Act as the operational authority on schedule operability, shaping the future programme across multiple AOCs and delivering improved operational and financial outcomes

>      Provide strategic leadership, scenario-driven planning expertise, and executive-level challenge to ensure future schedules are robust, safe, efficient, and optimised for profitability

>      Influence commercial decision-making at the earliest stages, set the operational risk appetite for new schedules, and ensure all operational teams are fully prepared for future seasons

>      Oversee enterprise-level planning initiatives, major schedule disruptions, and long-term resilience programmes, including airport infrastructure changes, regulatory shifts, geopolitical factors, and large-scale event planning

>      Hold executive accountability for the planning, negotiation, and delivery of all external wet-lease (ACMI) operations, shaping strategy, cost, and supplier performance

>      Lead and develop a high-performing team of planners, fostering a culture of analytical excellence and continuous improvement

What we’re looking for

>      Proven management experience and a minimum of five years within an airline operations department

>      Strategic analytical experience, with a passion for understanding detail, extracting data, and enabling trade-off discussions

>      Educated to degree level in a mathematical or equivalent field

>      Business planning experience with the ability to balance operational, strategic, and commercial needs, and a strong grasp of the detail within the bigger picture

>      Commercial awareness and excellent communication skills

>      Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment

>      Strong communication skills and the ability to interact and influence at all levels, presenting complex information simply to internal and external stakeholders

>      Robust problem-solving and analytical skills, with a challenging mind-set

>      Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects

>      Resilience and the ability to work under pressure

>      Demonstrable experience of continuous process improvement

>      Ability to lead, motivate, and inspire a high-functioning team

What you’ll get in return

>      Up to 20% maximum bonus

>      PMI

>      7% pension contributions

>      Excellent staff travel benefits

>      25 days of annual leave bank holidays

>      Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday

>      Various flexible benefits and extras

This full-time role will be based in Luton and will be 40 hours per week. We support hybrid working and we spend 60% of our time per month in the office.

Reasonable Adjustments

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at ma.recruitment@easyjet.com. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.

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