American Airlines

Sr Manager, Airport Operations Support and Customer Recovery

American Airlines$100K — $120K *
Transportation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Aviation Management, Operations Management, Hospitality, or related field, or equivalent experience/training.
  • 7 years of operational leadership or related experience.
  • 3 years of people leadership experience managing teams.
  • Master's degree in Business Administration or related discipline (preferred).
  • Experience in customer recovery and operational control functions within the airline industry (preferred).

Responsibilities

  • Lead Day of Departure and System Support Center teams for 24/7 operational support.
  • Execute integrated operating strategies for customer recovery and operational objectives.
  • Direct real-time recovery efforts during operational disruptions.
  • Provide support for critical operational events like airport outages.
  • Partner with various stakeholders to enhance service recovery outcomes.
  • Establish service standards and operating procedures for a consistent support experience.
  • Analyze metrics to improve operational performance and customer satisfaction.

Benefits

  • Travel perks for you, your family, and friends to explore over 365 destinations.
  • Immediate access to health, dental, prescription, and vision benefits.
  • Wellness programs aimed at improving personal health and well-being.
  • 401(k) program with employer contributions available after one year.
  • Additional perks, including employee assistance programs and discounts on travel-related services.
Full Job Description
9/16/26

Location: Rio West A Bldg (PHX-RWA1)
Cities: Phoenix - AZ
Requisition ID: 88276
This job will continue to be posted until at least 9/23/26. If interested, please apply prior to this date.

Job Description

What you'll do

As noted above, this list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced. Management will modify the job or require other tasks be performed whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so, observing, of course, any legal obligations including any collective bargaining obligations.
• Lead the Day of Departure (DOD) and System Support Center (SSC) teams, delivering 24/7 operational support and customer recovery solutions across the network.
• Execute an integrated operating strategy that aligns customer recovery, airport support, and enterprise operational objectives.
• Direct real-time recovery and mitigation efforts during disruptions, ensuring timely and effective resolution of complex operational challenges.
• Provide expert support for specialized transactions, documentation issues, systems disruptions, airport outages, and other critical operational events.
• Partner with Airport Operations, the Integrated Operations Center (IOC), Reservations, Revenue Management, Customer Care, Technology, and other stakeholders to enhance service recovery outcomes.
• Establish service standards, escalation protocols, and operating procedures that create a seamless and consistent support experience.
• Analyze operational performance and customer recovery metrics to drive improvements in efficiency, service delivery, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.
• Make strategic decisions that balance customer experience, operational performance, regulatory compliance, and revenue protection.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by optimizing processes, reducing manual intervention, and advancing technology-enabled solutions.
• Lead operational readiness, business continuity, and contingency planning activities to support network resilience.
• Serve as the senior escalation point during significant operational events, providing leadership, direction, and decision-making support.
• Communicate performance results, operational risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Aviation Management, Operations Management, Hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent experience/training.
• 7 years of operational leadership, customer service, airline operations, airport operations, contact center operations, or related experience.
• 3 years of people leadership experience managing leaders and/or frontline teams.

Preferred Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading customer recovery, irregular operations, airport support, service center, or operational control functions within the airline industry.
• Experience implementing process automation, workflow optimization, or technology-enabled operational improvements.
• Knowledge of revenue protection, customer compensation programs, and regulatory requirements impacting airline operations.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed or large-scale operational teams.
• Demonstrated success managing complex operational events and enterprise-wide service recovery initiatives.

Skills, Licenses & Certifications
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, customer-focused operational teams in a 24/7 environment.
• Strong knowledge of airline operations, airport support functions, and customer recovery processes.
• Ability to make effective decisions during disruptions and time-sensitive operational events.
• Skilled in developing high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and implement technology-enabled solutions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data and performance metrics to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage all levels of the organization.
• Experience leading change and driving operational transformation initiatives.
• Ability to balance customer experience, operational performance, and revenue considerations in decision-making.

What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:
  • Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
  • Health Benefits: On day one, you'll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that's just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more.
  • Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself - that's why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
  • 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
  • Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more


Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life's journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.

About American Airlines

US Airways provides international and domestic air transport in the United States. It is owned by the American Airlines Group. US Airways utilizes a fleet of 343 mainline jet aircrafts, along with 278 regional jet and turbo-prop aircrafts operated by contract and subsidiary airlines under the name US Airways Express. It was originally established as All American Aviation.It operates an airline network with 193 destinations in 24 countries in North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. It also operates the US Airways Shuttle, a US Airways brand which provides hourly service between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C.As of October 2013, US Airways employed 32,312 people worldwide and operated 3,028 daily flights.US Airways is a member of Oneworld, and it currently operates along with American Airlines as a result of a merge between the two holding companies of these airliners.US Airways was established in 1973. It operates hubs at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Philadelphia Inte...

American Airlines Careers

Join the dynamic team at American Airlines, a leader in global aviation and an innovator in the airline industry. With a wide range of job opportunities, American Airlines is the perfect place to advance your career, offering roles that cater to a variety of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At American Airlines, you will be part of a team that is dedicated to providing world-class service and shaping the future of travel. Our employees enjoy a culture of collaboration and respect, where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. With American Airlines, you can contribute to a legacy of innovation and leadership in the skies. Transform Your Career American Airlines is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your career through a robust suite of professional development and diversity training programs. Our leadership is committed to nurturing talent and recognizes the value of each individual’s growth. Join a team that leads with integrity and a passion for progress. At American Airlines, your career trajectory is bolstered by our commitment to innovation and excellence in the aviation industry. Internship Opportunities Kickstart your career with an internship at American Airlines. Gain invaluable industry experience, build your resume, and make connections that will propel your professional life. Our internships offer hands-on experience in a variety of departments, helping you discover your path in the aviation industry. Benefits of Working With Us American Airlines places immense value on the well-being of its team members. Employees enjoy competitive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, employee discounts, and flexible spending accounts. More than just perks, our benefits are designed to support your life, both at work and at home. Explore Job Opportunities Whether you’re looking to enhance your career in engineering, customer service, or leadership, American Airlines has a position that will match your skills and passions. We are continuously hiring and looking for motivated individuals who are ready to take their careers to new heights. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that align with your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. SEARCH AMERICAN AIRLINES JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at American Airlines.
Learn more about American Airlines
Size
123,400 employees
Market Cap
$8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$8.8 billion
Founded
1930
5 Year Trend
-5.7%
Revenue
$17.3 billion
NASDAQ

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