Manager, Schedule Planning - Short-Term

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

Virgin Australia is embarking on a cross functional transformation program across scheduling, commercial planning and operations planning to ensure we deliver industry leading operational performance, high levels of customer schedule utility and sustainably strong financial results.  To support this ambition, this new and exciting role has been created, to lead the development and delivery of in-season schedules in consultation/negotiation with a variety of commercial and operational stakeholders. The key functions of the role is the optimisation of the schedule for each roster period, in close collaboration with both the Commercial and Operational teams, to ensure commercial needs are met, operational parameters are incorporated, and the schedule is designed to meet operational resilience and OTP targets, while ensuring schedules are delivered to key stakeholders accurately and on time. Other key aspects of the role are to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and mentor and coach team members.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage the planning and production of each Roster period (RP) schedule with feedback from both commercial and operational stakeholders including the on-time publication and communication
• Recommend and implement tactical changes to actively optimise the RP schedule through evaluating capacity, timings, connections (VA metal and partner airlines), ensuring the commercial needs of the business are met
• Manage close in schedule changes ensuring these are communicated to key stakeholders accurately and timely, for loading into the selling system
• Meet predetermined deadlines for the delivery of detailed schedule data to internal and external customers ensuring accuracy of the information provided
• Develop schedule recommendations to resolve short term capacity limitations or needs including charter requests and ensure ad-hoc variations as required
• Collaborate with key operational stakeholders assessing any implications from feedback received on proposed plans
• Ensure an up-to-date summary of existing planning parameters across all schedule/operational dimensions and any proposed changes are made with consideration to both operational resilience and strategic/financial implications
• Work collaboratively with Network Operations and Flight Operations to maintain healthy OTP (on time performance), whilst balancing commercial priorities
• Coach team members to assist in their learning and development

You’ll be great in this role if you…

• 5 years Airline Schedule Planning experience
• Highly proficient in Excel and manipulating large datasets
• Strong experience writing reports and the ability to put together succinct PowerPoint presentations to present to senior stakeholders
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and under pressure
• Strong commercial acumen 
• Previous experience coaching and mentoring junior staff members
• Outstanding communication skills and demonstrated experience collaborating with stakeholders

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.