Strategic Operations Director

Job Overview

The Senior Manager, Strategy and Planning bridges the gap between strategic planning and operational execution by supporting Virgin Australia's integrated planning transformation.

• This role combines strategic thinking with practical implementation to ensure planning initiatives align with corporate strategy while delivering operational excellence and efficiency improvements.
• The Integrated Planning function will transform our planning approach and enable alignment of our network strategy, operational delivery, and commercial objectives.
• This team will drive our transition to new planning cycles, moving beyond traditional network design to focus on operational execution excellence, crew productivity optimization, and data-driven decision making.
• The Integrated Planning Office will serve as the central coordination hub, ensuring all planning activities work seamlessly together to deliver improved on-time performance, cost efficiency, and guest experience.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Support the development of Virgin Australia's strategic corporate plan with integrated planning considerations.
2. Conduct advanced financial and business case modelling for planning initiatives.
3. Analyze aviation economics and competitive landscape implications for planning decisions.
4. Provide thought leadership for strategic planning projects across the organization.
5. Apply critical strategic thinking to inform short, medium, and long-term planning decisions.
6. Construct senior management and executive level presentation materials for planning initiatives.
7. Help embed organizational strategy within integrated planning processes.
8. Support initiative prioritization within the team and broader organization.
9. Provide ad-hoc decision support for high-stakes planning decisions.
10. Take large data sets and use analysis to develop meaningful insights for planning decisions.
11. Track metrics and targets to measure planning success and efficiency improvements.
12. Work with Advanced Analytics team to inform planning models and parameters.

Requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in a business, commercial, or engineering discipline. A Master's level degree/ MBA is highly desirable.
• 6+ years' experience in Management Consulting or Corporate Strategy roles, preferably at Tier 1 firms.
• Advanced financial and business case modelling skills.
• Highly developed communication and presentation skills, with executive level communication abilities.
• Commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability.
• Creative and focused approach to problem solving.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including advanced modelling skills in Excel.
• Ability to influence and communicate at all organizational levels.
• Strategic planning and corporate strategy development experience.

Benefits:

• Heavily discounted air travel for you and your loved ones (including $1000 worth of travel credits per year).
• Flexible working arrangements (including work hours and work from home). However, the successful candidate must be Brisbane based or willing to relocate to Brisbane.
• Discounts on travel insurance, car hire, accommodation, and experiences worldwide.
• Hospitality, retail, technology, beauty services, and wellness discounts.
• Wellness support, including the betterme digital wellbeing platform.
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential coaching and support from qualified professionals for all aspects of life – physical, mental, social, and financial.
• Dress for Your Day – enjoy the freedom to wear whatever is appropriate for the type of work you do and the day you have ahead of you.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

• Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, our friends in the LGBTQI+ community, and anyone else who wants to join our family are encouraged to apply.