Position Summary
The Vice President, System Operations is responsible for leading the safe, reliable, and efficient execution of JetBlue’s daily operation while shaping the future state of the System Operations Control (SOC) environment. This role oversees System Operations, Dispatch, Air Traffic Management, Crew Operations, and Crew Planning, and holds end-to-end accountability for operational performance across the network.
This leader is responsible not only for day-of-operations execution, but also for advancing the SOC into a predictive, data-driven, and highly integrated operation. The Vice President will leverage advanced analytics, data science, and artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making, improve disruption recovery, and increase schedule reliability.
A critical component of the role is deep partnership with Enterprise Planning and Network Planning to ensure the schedule is operationally viable, resources are aligned, and execution constraints are reflected upstream. This position serves as a key connector between planning and execution, ensuring a closed-loop system that continuously improves operational outcomes.
The Vice President is a senior operational leader who thrives in a high-intensity environment, drives disciplined execution, and builds high-performing teams. This role requires strong cross-functional leadership, sound judgment under pressure, and a relentless focus on safety, consistency, and continuous improvement.
Essential Responsibilities
- Lead the Air Traffic Management function, ensuring effective integration with System Operations and strong collaboration with the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization to optimize system flow and mitigate constraints
- Own end-to-end operational performance, including safety, completion factor, on-time performance, and recovery effectiveness
- Hold delegated responsibility for the airline’s operational control system, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of Flight Control, System Control, and Network Control within the SOC
- Ensure a safe, compliant, and effective operating environment, including clear decision rights, escalation paths, and strong operational control interfaces across all stakeholders
- Lead enterprise response during irregular operations and disruptions, ensuring sound, timely decision-making and system stability
- Drive the adoption of data science, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to enable predictive and prescriptive operational decision-making
- Partner closely with Enterprise and Network Planning to ensure schedule design, resource alignment, and execution are fully integrated
- Champion operational discipline, standardization, and continuous improvement to reduce variability and improve consistency across the operation
- Lead cross-functional alignment across SOC, Airports, Flight Operations, Inflight, and Technical Operations to improve coordination and decision velocity
- Partner with Technology to advance SOC systems and platforms to support a more complex, data-driven operation
- Build and develop a strong leadership bench, fostering accountability, ownership, and operational excellence
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including FAA regulations and the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies
- Accountable for the effectiveness of the Safety Management System (SMS) within System Operations, ensuring safety risk management is embedded in day-of-operations decision-making
- Take a significant role in the development of crewmembers to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field; OR demonstrated capability to perform job responsibilities with a High School Diploma/GED and at least four (4) years of previous relevant work experience
- Ten (10) years of leadership experience with a Part 121 carrier
- Ten (10) combined airline experience in System Operations, Airports, Technical Operations and/or Flight Operations
- Strong working knowledge of Crew Services, Dispatch and ATC and their interdependencies
- Ability to form relationships with regulatory agencies
- Knowledge of Federal Aviation Rules (FAR) and Railway Labor Act
- Knowledge of emergency response procedures
- Ability to prepare and present a business case and to explain and justify operational decisions
- Hands on experience with productivity and process improvement methodologies and the use of benchmarks and metrics to track performance
- A record of success in developing and leading major change initiatives
- Available for moderate overnight travel (up to 20%)
- Able to work flexible hours and be available for an emergency response on short notice
- Must pass a pre-employment drug test
- Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
- Authorization to work in the US is required, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
Preferred Experience and Qualifications
- Fifteen (15) years of leadership experience with a Part 121 carrier
- Experience working in a unionized environment, including labor relations, contract negotiations, or partnership with organized labor groups
- Experience implementing or scaling data science, analytics, or AI capabilities in an operational environment
- Experience partnering with enterprise or network planning functions to improve schedule design and execution
- Advanced degree in business, operations, engineering, or related field
Crewmember Expectations:
- Regular attendance and punctuality
- Ability to work flexible hours and respond to operational needs on short notice
- Maintain a professional appearance
- When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, assist with light cleaning of the aircraft if time permits
- Exhibit JetBlue’s values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion, and Fun
- Fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue’s Safety Management System (SMS)
- Promote safety as a Safety Ambassador and support all SMS components and behaviors
- Identify and report safety concerns through appropriate channels, including ASAP and SAR programs
- Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT), and company policies
- Uphold JetBlue’s safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities
- The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position.
Equipment:
- Computer and other office equipment
Work Environment:
- Traditional Office Environment
Physical Effort:
- Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)
Compensation:
- The base pay range for this position is between $251,000 and $377,000 per year. Base pay is one component of JetBlue’s total compensation package, which may also include performance bonuses, restricted stock units, as well as access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.
