Manager, Business Improvement - Operations

YVR is a place of connection, bringing together people, places and cargo while ensuring a safe and efficient experience for everyone. Operational Excellence and Improvement team focuses on building resiliency, improving reliability, increasing efficiency, and enhancing quality through continuous improvement strategies. The team fosters a culture of continuous improvement, leverages data-driven decision-making, engages cross-functional collaboration, and aligns initiatives with strategic business goals to drive sustainable efficiency and innovation.

Position overview

Are you energized by championing change management principles and spearheading innovation? Do you thrive on leveraging data to inform strategic decisions and drive impactful outcomes? This role is for you if you are an influential leader, a strategic thinker, and a hands-on problem solver. Your success will come from blending analytical rigor, operational expertise, and people leadership to drive meaningful and lasting business improvements.

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity for a Manager, Business Improvement - Operations to join our Operational Excellence and Improvement team. Reporting to the Director of Operational Excellence and Improvement, the successful candidate will spearhead initiatives to strengthen business resilience, drive operational efficiency, optimize processes, and cultivate a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across airport operations. Additionally, you will oversee the management of the Airport Operations Document Management System (DMS), ensuring that all operational documents are accurate and meticulously stored, and maintained in alignment with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identify, analyze, and implement process enhancements to strengthen business resilience and optimize performance across operational areas, including airside, landside, baggage, and security operations. 
• Lead and manage cross-functional projects to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery, while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget
• Leverage data analytics tools to monitor performance metrics and provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior management on areas for improvement
• Oversee the administration of the Airport Operations Document Management System (DMS), ensuring operational documents are accurate, well-organized, accessible, and compliant with regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and operational teams to align processes and deliver improvement initiatives
• Lead the Business Improvement team by setting goals, monitoring performance, and guiding professional growth, as well as training teams on business improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma, while fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and excellence

Key qualifications include:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in business improvement or operations management, ideally within the airport or aviation industry, supplemented by a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 3 years in a leadership role, showcasing exceptional people and stakeholder management skills
• Proven experience in leading process improvement initiatives using methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or similar frameworks; Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Certification is an asset
• Experience in managing document management systems and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements
• Strong project management and analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and make informed decisions, as well as utilizing proficiency in data analytics tools and software, such as Excel, Power BI, etc.

This position is open to both Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.

As part of our recruitment process, short-listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range : $102,880 to $154,320 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity. Performance-Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target at 15% of your annual salary.

At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits.

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you’re from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at careers@yvr.ca.