Product Manager, IT Crew Operations Platforms

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WestJet arrived on the Canadian airline scene in 1996 and changed the industry for the better. We made air travel more affordable for Canadians and now were going global. 

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Overview of role: 

The Product Manager, IT Crew Operations Platforms, reporting to the VP, IT Airline Operations has both internal and external product management responsibilities.  They support ‘critical to fly’ systems that allow us to operate our airlines safely.  They are responsible for leading the team that is responsible for product support (24/7) and product improvements that drive efficiency and stability for these critical systems.  This is a critical operational leadership role that drives the strategy, sets the roadmaps, and implements feature enhancements.   

The Product Manager will provide the deep product expertise needed to lead the organization and make strategic product decisions to ensure reliability of our systems while improving tool sets for our Crew operations and scheduling teams.  They will build strong relationships with business stakeholders as well as 3rd party software and service providers.   The role spans many activities from strategic to tactical and provides important leadership between engineering, business functions, and support teams. 

This role holds a large budget responsibility for all products related to our Crew Operations platforms including system upgrades and ongoing operational support.  

 Key deliverables include: 

• Defines and maintains service levels specific to requirements of the business and products.  This includes continuous improvement, disaster recovery, run books, security and patch compliance, and coordinating cross-functional operational teams to support these services during all operational hours up to and including 24x7. 

• Responsible for overall product health that ensures system uptime, resiliency, and stability. 

• Responsible for setting the vision and strategy for large product lines related to all crew operations platforms.  These products will automate processes, provide relevant and timely information for decision making and address technical debt through technology platform upgrades and re. 

• Through strong partnerships with business units, they will understand and identify business problems and how they can be solved through technology. 

• Ownership of the product roadmap and working with stakeholders to prioritize implementing what matters most to achieve the strategic goals and initiatives behind the product.  

• Facilitate planning delivery and the timelines for implementation.  

• Provide leadership and mentorship to team resources. 

• Partnership with third party vendors specific to the delivery of their products. This includes contract negotiations and renewals, regular business reviews, service level performance adherence and continuous product enhancement that drives increased value. 

• Accountable to ensure their products conform to all corporate compliance and regulatory governance standards. This includes a broad understanding of these standards and accountability to meet them on an ongoing basis. Standards include PCI, GDPR, SOX, etc. 

• ​​Preparation of annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets for their area. 

• ​Adherence to annual OPEX budget, working closely with the IT Financial analyst to accurately update monthly forecast.​ 

• Providing leadership & driving employee engagement for a high functioning team. 

• Monitor team performance and deliver recognition and performance management as required. 

• Accountable for the development and execution of career and/or skills development plans for members of the team. 

• Accountable leader for all adherence to ITSM processes including Change Management. 

• Collaborates with peers, business SME’s and senior leadership on the development of business cases for new technology initiatives. 

• Collaboration with our Procurement team on new contracts and contract renewals to reduce costs and ensure the proper SLA’s are in place. 

• Acts as an escalation point for business requirements and incident management to ensure a high level of satisfaction from our business unit. 

Experience and qualifications: 

• 3-5  years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience  

• Requires a Bachelors Degree (Technical/Business/Scientific) 

• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience managing operations support resource teams. 

• Requires complex problem-solving skills and advanced interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to influence others.  

• Ability to clearly articulate technical problems from a business perspective and translate business problems into a technology viewpoint. 

• Strong commercial acumen including financial management, contract negotiation and vendor management are essential. 

• Demonstrate a strong technical grounding to effectively manage and challenge technology teams with regards to measures of complexity and effort. 

• Self-motivated and ability to work independently and cross functionally.  

• Experience and demonstrated ability to create a vision, strategy and roadmap.  

• Exposure to highly complex and integrated systems using enterprise class tools and methodologies.  

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.  

• Ability to work effectively, demonstrate flexibility and set priorities in a fast-paced environment.  

• Highly motivated and collaborative individual.  

The benefits of being a WestJetter:  

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package.  On top of that, we offer:   

• A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win  
• Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
• Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs  

Think we are a fit?  Apply now!  

About WestJet Group of Companies  

Together with WestJets regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships.   

Our Safety Promise  

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. As safety and security is a shared responsibility, it is expected that you will use safe work practices to ensure your well-being and the safety of others.  

WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJets operations at risk. All roles that are identified as safety sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJets Alcohol and Drug Policy.   

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion  

We embrace what makes us each unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity, and accessibility and if you require accommodation during the selection process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know.  We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest in WestJet; however, only those candidates who are selected will be contacted.  

For more information about everything WestJet, please visit WestJet.com.  

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