5+ years of experience in aviation operations and compliance roles.
Exceptional judgment and communication skills for managing sensitive matters.
Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across all levels.
Strong analytical skills with a focus on actionable insights.
Ability to thrive under high-pressure, time-sensitive conditions.
Flexibility to work outside standard hours for international engagement.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and WestJet systems.
Responsibilities
Manage licences and permits with global civil aviation authorities.
Collaborate with various stakeholders to align licensure with business goals.
Maintain comprehensive licensure records for business continuity.
Investigate customs and immigration violations and mitigate risks.
Analyze violation patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure.
Serve as a subject matter expert on immigration and travel-document requirements.
Provide regulatory counsel and lead compliance-driven projects.
Build relationships with regulators and partners to ensure compliance.
Resolve data compliance issues to protect operating authority.
Support broader Regulatory Affairs & Accessibility initiatives.
Benefits
A fun and friendly workplace culture.
Travel privileges for employees and their families from day one.
Flexible savings and benefit programs tailored to individual needs.
Full Job Description
This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.
Overview of role
The successful candidate will help maintain WestJet's operating authorizations by managing licences and air operator designations, supporting compliance with facilitation regulations, and overseeing immigration-related infractions. The role works broadly across WestJet and with external partners, requiring a highly professional and collaborative approach. This senior-level individual contributor reports to the Director, Regulatory Affairs & Accessibility.
Key deliverables include:
Manage WestJet's licences and permits with civil aviation authorities worldwide for scheduled, charter, ad hoc, cargo, and codeshare operations.
Partner with network planning, fleet planning, alliances, and other stakeholders to define business requirements, establish timelines, and keep licensure readiness aligned with commercial and operational targets.
Maintain complete licensure records and documentation to support business continuity.
Process customs and immigration violation notices, investigate root causes with airports, corporate security, and external partners, and pursue mitigations with government authorities to avoid or reduce fines.
Maintain violation records, identify patterns and trends, and recommend actions to reduce WestJet's exposure.
Serve as a subject matter expert on immigration and travel-document requirements for passengers, crew, and animals, including how external technology systems interact with WestJet's systems and processes.
Provide regulatory counsel through recurring and ad hoc forums, support projects requiring compliance guidance, and lead projects driven by regulatory change.
Build and advance relationships with authorities, regulators, and service and technology partners to achieve and maintain compliance.
Resolve data-transmission and data-quality non-compliance promptly to protect WestJet's good standing and operating authority.
Support other Regulatory Affairs & Accessibility priorities to broaden knowledge and experience.
Experience and Qualifications:
5+ years of experience in roles with significant exposure to WestJet operations, processes, and systems.
Exceptional professional judgment, communication, tact, and diplomacy, including the ability to manage sensitive matters and represent WestJet with external parties.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships at all organizational levels and externally.
Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills, with a track record of turning complex analysis into actionable insights and recommendations.
Ability to work effectively under time-sensitive, high-pressure deadlines.
Schedule flexibility, including occasional work outside standard Monday-to-Friday hours to engage with licensing authorities in other time zones.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
Advanced knowledge of WestJet reservation and check-in systems; additional systems knowledge is an asset.
The benefits of being a WestJetter:
WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:
A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs
Think we're a great fit? Apply now!
About WestJet
WestJet is a Canadian airline founded in 1996. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country's competing major airlines. WestJet provides scheduled and charter air service to more than 100 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. WestJet is currently the second-largest Canadian air carrier, behind Air Canada, operating an average of 777 flights and carrying over 66,130 passengers per day. WestJet is a public company with more than 14,000 employees, and is not part of any airline alliance. It operates three variants of the Boeing 737 Next Generation family, as well as Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
