Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC)

Our client, a business jet management company holding an EASA Air Operators Certificate, based in Portomaso (St. Julian's, Malta), has an immediate vacancy for a CAMO Engineer to join a growing team. The company forms part of the aviation group that has holdings in Ireland, Switzerland, and the UAE as well.
 
Operating as the lead technical member of the Operations Control centre, the Head of OCC is responsible for leading the OCC department to achieve managing the flight preparation and flight following, whether via approved subcontractors or directly.
 
Simultaneously with managing daily operations, the Head of OCC will work closely and report to the NPGO to plan adequate procedures and resourcing to match the requirements of the operation through its expected growth.
 
Particular emphasis will be placed on maintaining and improving service delivery levels to clients, and achieving cost optimisation through targeted procurement efforts.

 
Key responsibilities:

 
Supervisory (current):

• Proactive and reactive contingency planning during times of disruption to scheduled flights, while remaining within customer service and fiscal requirements.
• Maintain and monitor the day to day integrity of all Operational software systems and integrations.
• Act as 24hr Operations on call, on a rotating roster basis.
• Escalate matters requiring management intervention.
• Contributes towards developing policies and procedures which are scalable for facilitating growth in operations.
• Deputises for the NPGO in his absence.
• Participates in the functioning of the Emergency Response Plan within the Operations Control Centre.
• Actively participates in the company’s safety management system, through identifying risks, submission of safety reports as applicable, promotion of a safety culture within the department and future team, and assisting the Safety Manager with any queries or investigations.
• Ensure compliance with the various international regulations within which the company’s ground operations function needs to operate, such as immigration, passenger data exchange, aviation tax, reporting.

Daily operations:

• Supervises the day-to-day running of the company Operational Control Centre and maintains the data required to for management of the flight schedule.
• Undertake flight feasibility checks including FTL and security risk assessment.
• Verification of crew currency and route/area/aerodrome qualification requirements against OM Part C in particular.
• Coordinate with pilot on allotted route with flight schedule, climate condition and geographical factors.
• Evaluates all fuel loads and payload for each flight.
• Ensures that the necessary handling, permits, fuel and airport slot requests are coordinated and confirmed to carry out the flight program;
• Ensuring that country-specific requirements are complied with;
• Contracts and monitors performance of external providers including but not limited to:- handling agents, FBOs, Fuel suppliers, Customs and Border Control.
• Ensures the completion and filing of ATC flight plans and that all necessary diplomatic and over-flight clearances are obtained to carry out the flying program;
• Compiles a correct and complete Crew Briefing including an operational flight plan.
• Executes crew control instructions for crew travel and hotel accommodation arrangements.
• Coordinates with Charter Sales colleagues so that client requests are assessed and delivered.
• Communicates with the CAMO manager on the operational status of the aircraft including AOC and MEL dispatch issues.
• Monitors all the flights from start to finish and reviews and updates the operations control software to reflect the actual flight operations status;
• Checks post flight data send by the crew and reacts/adapts as needed;
• Maintain ground operations record and reporting systems including billing and payables checking.

Supervisory (future):

• Assist with the recruitment and selection of future OCC staff.
• Ensure that all OCC staff are provided with adequate training, guidance and development suitable to the position being held within the department.
• Together with the NPGO, set KPI’s for OCC staff and participate in their periodical performance reviews.
• Preparation and management of OCC staff rosters, to ensure an equitable allocation of duty and off days.

 
Head of OCC operates under the general direction of the Nominated Persons Flight Operations and Ground Operations. Exercises delegated authority within agreed business objectives, while consults with NPGO for actions outside approved plans.
 

Minimum Qualifications:

• ICAO member State Flight Dispatcher license or Recognised Flight Operations Officer Diploma

Minimum Experience:

• 5+ years of current experience in a flight dispatch / aircraft operations control / crew control in a business aviation environment.
• 2+ years of experience managing an Operational Control Centre in a Business Aviation environment.
• NAT-HLA operations.
• Worldwide / Long Range International Trip Planning.
• Flight Time Limitations (Sub-Part Q & EASA)

Specific Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written English Level
• Proficient in use of MS Office package
• Proficient in use of flight planning systems, preferably ForeFlight or PPS
• Proficient in use of mass & balance and runway analysis systems, preferably ForeFlight or Guru2
• Knowledge of Management Systems