Projectmanager Operations

About dnata

dnata is one of the world's largest air services providers, delivering ground handling, cargo, travel and flight catering services across more than 30 countries. At Schiphol Airport, our Passenger Services operation plays a critical role in delivering safe, efficient and customer-focused services to some of the world's leading airlines.

To support our ongoing growth and transformation, we seek an experienced, commercially focused Senior HR Business Partner to work with our Passenger Services leadership team.

The Opportunity

At dnata Netherlands, operational excellence guides our work. As Project Manager Operations, you will lead transformation projectss, performance initiatives, and operational readiness activities that directly improve safety, service quality, productivity, customer satisfaction, and profitability.

This high-impact leadership role requires a project manager who connects strategy to execution, aligns stakeholders, and delivers measurable operational improvements in a fast-paced airport environment.

You will coordinate operational transformation initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and achieve sustainable business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Project Leadership

• Lead and coordinate strategic operational projects and transformation initiatives within Passenger Services.

• Manage project governance, planning, execution, and implementation activities from concept through delivery.

• Ensure operational initiatives deliver targeted improvements in productivity, service quality, safety, and customer performance.

• Drive operational readiness and mobilization for new customers, contracts, and business growth opportunities.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Prepare for and support Project Alignment Meetings (PAX) and Steering Committee discussions together with team.

• Challenge assumptions, validate operational data, and provide recommendations to senior leadership.

• Ensure stakeholders, initiative owners, and subject matter experts are actively engaged throughout project delivery.

• Maintain effective governance structures, reporting frameworks, and escalation processes.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance operational performance, workforce productivity, service delivery, and resource utilization.

• Drive process optimization and standardization across operations.

• Develop and support business cases for operational improvements.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Facilitate collaboration among Operations, Workforce Planning, Training, Safety, HR, Commercial, Finance, and ICT

• Remove barriers and resolve issues that impact project success.

• Align stakeholders on priorities, milestones, operational targets, and delivery expectations.

• Ensure workstream dependencies are actively managed and mitigated.

Performance & Delivery Management

• Monitor project progress, risks, dependencies, resource needs, and value realization.

• Hold initiative owners accountable for delivery milestones, operational KPIs, quality standards, and business outcomes.

• Ensure transparent reporting and effective communication with senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

• Track and manage operational benefits realization and project performance.

Change Leadership

• Act as a visible role model for accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.

• Support implementation of new ways of working, processes, behaviours, and performance standards.

• Foster a culture of execution, ownership, customer service, and continuous improvement.

• Drive engagement and commitment throughout operational transition projects.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Aviation Management, Logistics, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in project management, operational transformation, business improvement, consulting, or strategic project leadership.

• Strong operational leadership skills with the ability to translate strategy into execution.

• Proven experience leading complex cross-functional projects in operational settings.

• Strong analytical skills and experience in performance management, operational reporting, and business case development.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at the senior leadership level.

• Demonstrated ability to drive accountability, challenge constructively, and deliver sustainable results.

• Experience in aviation, ground handling, logistics, transport, manufacturing, or other operationally intensive industries is highly desirable.

• Experience managing large-scale operational change projects is preferred.

Core Competencies

• Operational excellence

• Project- & transformation management

• Strategic execution

• Stakeholder management

• Continuous improvement

• Data driven decision making

• Problem solving

• Influencing & negotiation

• Leadership & accountability

• Results orientation

• Customer focus

Why Join dnata?

At dnata, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in one of the most dynamic operational environments in the Netherlands. You will collaborate with experienced leaders, contribute to large-scale transformation and help shape the future of our Passenger Services operation at Schiphol Airport.

If you are an ambitious HR professional who enjoys integrating strategy, leadership and execution, we encourage you to apply.

Ready to take off with us? Apply now to join the dnata journey.