Head of Airside

Job Purpose

dnata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make.

We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If you're inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.

dnata Singapore is one of the longest standing and most comprehensive operations in the dnata portfolio. Providing a full suite of services from cargo handling and ground handling to travel services, dnata Singapore ships, connects, feeds and entertains travellers connecting to and through Changi Airport.

The elected Head of Airside will take full ownership of leading and shaping all airside operations at Singapore Changi Airport, encompassing ramp and baggage services, to ensure the safe, efficient, and fully compliant delivery of world-class ground handling solutions. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this pivotal role is accountable for driving operational performance, elevating service excellence, and embedding a robust culture of safety and regulatory compliance across all airside activities.

As a key member of the leadership team, the role will champion both strategic and operational initiatives that enhance productivity, optimise resource utilisation, and consistently exceed the expectations of airline partners. The Head of Airside will spearhead continuous improvement efforts, leveraging innovation and best practices to strengthen operational resilience and efficiency.

Equally, this role is instrumental in fostering a high-performance, safety-first culture - leading, engaging, and developing teams to deliver at their best while ensuring strict adherence to aviation regulations, company standards, and global best practices.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and full accountability for airside operations, including ramp and baggage services, ensuring alignment with dnata Singapore’s business objectives.
• Drive operational excellence by establishing standards, policies, and performance frameworks that deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality services across all terminals.
• Lead and inspire a large, multi-layered workforce, fostering a high-performance culture centred on safety, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for critical operational, safety, and service issues, ensuring swift resolution and effective risk management.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with airline customers, acting as the primary representative for airside operations and driving longterm satisfaction and growth.
• Collaborate with regulators, airport authorities, and global stakeholders to ensure compliance, alignment, and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee governance and audit readiness, ensuring full compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and company policies.
• Lead transformation initiatives, driving process optimisation, innovation, and digitalisation across airside operations.
• Ensure robust workforce planning, capability development, and succession planning in partnership with HR to sustain a future-ready team.
• Monitor and optimise operational and financial performance, leveraging data insights to improve productivity, cost efficiency, and overall results.
• Champion dnata’s values by fostering a culture of safety, integrity, teamwork, and service excellence, while driving employee engagement and accountability.

Qualification

In order to be considered for this position, you must meet the below requirements:

• Hold a Degree or Diploma from a recognized tertiary institution
• Have at least 10 years’ of relevant industry experience, with a demonstrable knowledge of airport operations and ramp handling within an airline, airport, or ground handling company
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a management or leadership role
• A proven track record of leading large, multi-functional teams in a complex, high-volume operational environment.
• A strong understanding of ramp and baggage operations, aviation safety standards, and regulatory requirements (e.g., CAAS, IATA, ICAO).
• The flexibility to work varied hours, including weekends and public holidays.

At Emirates Group, we’re committed to providing our employees with opportunities to grow and develop in their careers. So if you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity, apply today and join our team!

Salary & Benefits

Join our growing team and enjoy a competitive remuneration package. Find out more about working with us in our website

www.emirates.com/careers