Chief Operating Officer – Airport operations (m/f)
Entreprise
We are looking for a highly experienced and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and coordinate all airside and terminal operations at Luxembourg Airport. This is an exclusive mandate, and all applications will be processed through our dedicated selection process. As a member of the senior leadership team, the COO ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant functioning of the airport’s operational infrastructure and services while overseeing the development and continuous improvement of airport operations.
This role holds broad responsibility for key operational areas, including terminal and airside operations, business aviation, safety, and regulatory compliance. The COO will also act as the Accountable Manager, Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, and Airside Operations Manager, taking a leading role in ensuring operational excellence and regulatory adherence across the organization.
Poste
The COO directly supervises the following units that includes more than 80 people:
- Operational Planning & Development
- Terminal Operations
- Airside Operations
- Business Aviation Center
- Safety & Compliance (including Aerodrome Compliance and Safety Managers)
The main responsibilities are explained here below:
1. Strategic Operational Leadership
- Oversee operational planning, forecasting, and aeronautical resource management.
- Drive the implementation of business continuity and emergency plans.
- Provide input and leadership into Masterplans and infrastructure development with an operational lens.
- Ensure coordination and performance monitoring through dashboards, data, and forecasting tools.
2. Terminal Operations
- Manage the terminal’s operational performance, efficiency, and passenger experience.
- Coordinate the opening/closing of terminals, oversee curbside management, and ensure optimal passenger and baggage flow.
- Lead the development of terminal rules, capacity management, and operational improvements.
- Supervise handling agent relationships and project delivery within terminal areas.
3. Airside Operations
- Develop and maintain safe, compliant, and efficient airside infrastructure and services (runways, taxiways, aprons).
- Lead inspections, resource planning, capacity management, and emergency response scenarios (e.g. snow, hijacking, aircraft incidents).
- Collaborate with air navigation services, airlines, and external partners to maintain operational integrity.
- Oversee stand and gate allocation, airside development planning, and safety incident management.
4. Business Aviation Center & Protocol Operations
- Ensure high-quality operations and development of the Business Aviation Center and Salon d’Honneur.
- Manage infrastructure, protocol arrangements, hangar space, and VIP client services.
5. Safety & Compliance Management
- Serve as the Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, ensuring the maintenance of the Aerodrome Certificate.
- Promote safety culture and ensure alignment with EASA, ICAO, and local regulatory requirements.
- Chair safety and compliance committees, supervise audits, and lead the resolution of findings.
- Ensure regulatory change management is properly documented and integrated into the Certification Base.
Profil
- Proven senior leadership experience in airport or aviation operations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and lead teams of 80+ staff across diverse operational areas.
- In-depth understanding of airport infrastructure, safety management systems (SMS), and aviation regulatory frameworks (EASA, ICAO).
- Strong background in operational planning, stakeholder coordination, and project delivery.
- Proven experience managing crisis situations, including emergency preparedness and incident response.
- Knowledge of European civil aviation standards.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of influencing across all levels.
- Experience chairing committees and leading cross-functional operational teams.
- A fluent command of French and English is required; proficiency in German is considered an advantage, though not essential.
For more information please contact Nicolas Hurlin by phone on +352 26 29 45 20.
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