Job Description

The Manager – AOCC Airside is responsible for leading stand, gate, and towing planning activities while ensuring high-quality data management within the Airport Operational Database (AODB). The role ensures safe, efficient, and optimal use of airport airside capacity while maintaining compliance with safety, customer, and stakeholder requirements.

The role operates within the Airport Management Centre (AMC), which oversees:

• Operations Planning
• Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC)
• Operations Data & Analytics

The position initially focuses on operations at Zayed International Airport and may later expand to other Abu Dhabi Airports locations.

The job holder works in a 24/7 control room environment on shift duties and may be required to remain on-call for operational events and emergencies.

Responsibilities

Tactical Planning & Allocation

• Manage stand, gate, and towing plans across airport operations.
• Optimize stand utilization and minimize operational disruptions.
• Review and communicate daily operational plans.
• Monitor IT systems and respond to faults.
• Support tactical decision-making impacting airport capacity.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to improve airside operations.
• Ensure operational KPIs and service levels are achieved.

Tactical Airport Capacity & Flight Approvals

• Approve Ad-Hoc Slots within declared airport capacity.
• Manage landing permissions for Ad-Hoc flights.
• Ensure invoicing for cash flights upon departure.

Maintenance & Operational Coordination

• Approve reactive stand and gate maintenance requests.
• Monitor critical maintenance works to minimize disruption.
• Ensure contractor compliance with safety standards.

Operational Communication & Stakeholder Coordination

Serve as AOCC focal point for coordination with:

• Airside Operations and Ground Handlers
• GCAA and DMT
• Air Traffic Control (ATC)
• Commercial Airlines
• Presidential, General Aviation, and Ad-Hoc operators

Aircraft Flow & Capacity Optimization

• Monitor On-Time Performance (OTP).
• Manage delays and operational impacts proactively.
• Coordinate schedule and resource allocation changes.
• Liaise with airlines on rejected delay causes and scheduling conflicts.

Incident & Disruption Management

• Lead stand, gate, and towing coordination during disruptions.
• Develop tactical recovery and re-planning solutions.
• Support restoration of normal operations after disruptions.
• Investigate and report incidents with improvement recommendations.

Emergency Response Management

• Take control of stand allocation during emergencies.
• Support Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activities.
• Ensure compliance with Emergency SOPs (ESOPs).
• Conduct emergency preparedness exercises for AOCC teams.

Data Quality & Reporting

• Maintain accurate airline and flight data in AMS.
• Ensure operational logs, shift reports, and handover documentation are complete and accurate.

Operational Improvement & Analytics

• Monitor and review operational KPIs.
• Identify operational trends and improvement opportunities.
• Support development of stand allocation policies and forecasting.
• Act as superuser for Fixed Resource Management Systems.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage staffing levels and leave approvals.
• Coach, motivate, and develop team members.
• Monitor competency and operational licensing requirements.
• Drive team performance against KPIs.
• Promote Abu Dhabi Airports values and behaviors.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Support HSE risk assessment reviews.
• Promote incident and near-miss reporting.
• Monitor compliance with HSE procedures.
• Coordinate corrective actions with operational stakeholders.

Requirements and Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant management experience in:
  • Airport operations
  • Airlines
  • Ground handling operations

Core Competencies

• Team leadership and development
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Conflict resolution and negotiation
• Crisis and emergency management
• Business process improvement
• Manpower planning and deployment

Technical & Operational Knowledge

• ICAO Annex 14
• GCAA CAR Part IX & XI
• ACI Apron Safety Handbook
• ACI Airside Safety Handbook
• Airport operational systems (e.g., SITA AMS)
• Airside and ATC systems
• A-CDM concepts and operational benefits
• Airport operational processes and turnaround management
• Slot allocation and operational data management
• Airport emergency procedures and incident management
• Aviation meteorological data (METAR, TAF)
• Airport Conditions of Use and compliance documentation
• Aircraft types and operational requirements
• Airport and airline coding systems

Reporting & Analytical Skills

• Ability to prepare shift briefs and operational reports
• Data analysis and KPI monitoring
• Operational trend analysis and forecasting

Software Skills

• MS Excel and MS Word (Intermediate)
• Airport control centre systems

Language Requirements

• Fluent written and spoken English (ICAO Level 4 or Global English Level 7)
• Arabic fluency is considered an advantage.

Additional Advantageous Skills

• Airport and airline operational planning
• Process writing and governance expertise