Leadership Role: Shape the Future of Aviation Excellence with a Leadership Role in Project and Process Improvement

Leadership Role: Becoming part of a world-class airline means more than holding a job; it means contributing to a legacy of innovation, safety, and customer trust. Joining Air Canada places you within an organization recognized as a leading force in North American aviation, where operational excellence and continuous improvement are part of everyday culture. This role is designed for professionals who want their work to create measurable impact across complex business environments while growing their own leadership journey.

Role Overview and Purpose

The position of Manager, Project and Process Improvement plays a critical role in driving organizational efficiency and transformation. The primary purpose of this role is to lead cross-functional initiatives that enhance performance, simplify workflows, and deliver sustainable results. It blends structured project management with proven process improvement approaches to ensure that change is not only implemented but also embedded into daily operations.

Key Responsibilities and Scope

In this role, you will be responsible for managing initiatives from concept to completion using a structured, gated methodology. Each project must align with strategic goals and stakeholder expectations while delivering tangible value. You will analyze existing workflows to uncover inefficiencies, identify bottlenecks, and design improved processes that support long-term business growth.

You will collaborate closely with department leaders to gather requirements, define scope, and establish performance baselines. Managing budgets, timelines, and resources is central to the role, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope. Risk identification and mitigation are equally important, requiring proactive decision-making and escalation when needed to remove obstacles.

Continuous Improvement and Change Leadership

A core aspect of this role involves applying continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma and Agile practices. You will lead problem-solving initiatives, quantify benefits, and develop business cases that demonstrate return on investment. Presenting findings and progress updates to senior leadership will be a regular responsibility, requiring clarity, data accuracy, and strong storytelling skills.

You will also support change management efforts by developing strategies that encourage adoption and sustainability of new processes. Facilitating workshops and training sessions will help foster a culture where innovation and improvement are encouraged across departments.

Collaboration, Coaching, and Governance

The Manager, Project and Process Improvement acts as a trusted advisor to business unit leaders and transformation teams. Benchmarking industry best practices, guiding frontline innovation, and ensuring replication of successful solutions are key contributions. You will mentor team members, share lessons learned, and provide technical support aligned with organizational tools and methodologies.

Compliance and governance remain essential throughout all initiatives. You will work alongside regulatory and business process teams to document processes, update control manuals, and ensure alignment with internal policies and external requirements.

Qualifications and Professional Background

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as business administration, industrial engineering, or operations management, with advanced education considered an asset. Candidates should bring at least five years of experience in project management or process improvement, along with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage change effectively.

Professional certifications in project management, continuous improvement, or Agile frameworks are highly valued, though not mandatory. Strong analytical thinking, collaboration, communication, and adaptability are essential traits for success in this fast-paced environment.

Workplace Values and Inclusion

Air Canada is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, striving to create an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered. Equal opportunity is a foundational principle, and bilingual capabilities are considered an advantage when qualifications are otherwise equal. Eligibility to work in the relevant country is required, and candidates are responsible for securing any necessary authorizations.

This role offers the opportunity to influence meaningful change, grow professionally, and contribute to an organization that connects communities and cultures through aviation.