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Manager, Airport Operations Programs (Chicago, IL, US)

American Airlines • Manager, Airport Operations Programs (Chicago, IL, US) • 1w ago

Intro

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

Why you'll love this job

This role leads one of American Airlines’ most complex and safety‑critical operational environments, guiding high‑risk, high‑volume deicing and widebody activity at ORD during severe weather and peak international flying. It requires close collaboration with multiple departments and partner carriers to shape strategy, training, and execution across essential airport functions.
The pay range for this role is $96,000 to $131,000, taking into account the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

What you'll do

• Lead and direct a team of Customer Service Managers (CSMs) responsible for deicing and widebody operations during high‑volume and severe‑weather seasons.
• Oversee the creation, execution, and annual update of the ORD deicing plan, ensuring alignment with operational needs and regulatory requirements.
• Co‑develop widebody operational plans with Mainline and Other Airline partners
• Design and coordinate specialized training programs for leaders and frontline teams to support deicing and widebody readiness.
• Ensure operational preparedness by coordinating gating, towing, and aircraft movement between terminals and maintenance hangars.
• Partner with GSE, Maintenance, Tow, Ramp, Training, and Care leadership to ensure equipment, staffing, and processes support safe and efficient operations.
• Maintain compliance with Chicago Department of Aviation requirements, industry consortium updates, and partner‑carrier standards.
• Serve as a key liaison across departments to ensure safe, consistent, and high‑quality performance during critical weather events and peak widebody periods.

All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of experience in deicing operations, widebody aircraft operations, or ramp leadership.

Preferred Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience

• Experience collaborating with airport authorities, partner carriers, or industry working groups.
• Background in developing training programs for frontline or leadership teams.
• Familiarity with operational planning tools or deicing coordination software.

Skills, Licenses & Certifications

• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence across departments.
• Ability to analyze operational data and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Proven capability to manage multiple priorities in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments.
• Commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Project management skills and experience coordinating large‑scale operational initiatives.
• Experience leading teams in a high‑risk, high‑volume operational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross‑functional programs or operational processes.
• Strong understanding of airport operations, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work in severe‑weather conditions and maintain on‑site presence during critical events.

What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:

Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
Health Benefits: On day one, you’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that’s just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more.
Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that’s why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more

Feel free to be yourself at American

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.