JetBlue Airways

VP System Operations Center

JetBlue Airways • $251K — $377K *
Long Island City, NY 11101In-Person
Transportation
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience with a High School Diploma/GED and four years of relevant work experience
  • Ten years of leadership experience with a Part 121 carrier
  • Ten years of combined experience in System Operations, Airports, Technical Operations, and/or Flight Operations
  • Strong working knowledge of Crew Services, Dispatch, and Air Traffic Control
  • Ability to build relationships with regulatory agencies
  • Familiarity with Federal Aviation Regulations and the Railway Labor Act
  • Proven track record in leading major change initiatives

Responsibilities

  • Lead Air Traffic Management to optimize system flow and collaboration with FAA
  • Own operational performance metrics, including safety and on-time performance
  • Manage the airline's operational control system within the SOC
  • Ensure a compliant and effective operating environment with clear decision rights
  • Drive enterprise response during irregular operations to maintain stability
  • Adopt analytics and AI to enhance operational decision-making
  • Partner with Planning to ensure resource alignment and effective execution

Benefits

  • Access to healthcare benefits
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Crewmember stock purchase plan
  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage
  • Basic life insurance
  • Free space available travel on JetBlue
  • Opportunity for performance bonuses and restricted stock units
Full Job Description
Position Summary

The Vice President, System Operations is responsible for leading the safe, reliable, and efficient execution of JetBlue's daily operation while shaping the future state of the System Operations Control (SOC) environment. This role oversees System Operations, Dispatch, Air Traffic Management, Crew Operations, and Crew Planning, and holds end-to-end accountability for operational performance across the network.

This leader is responsible not only for day-of-operations execution, but also for advancing the SOC into a predictive, data-driven, and highly integrated operation. The Vice President will leverage advanced analytics, data science, and artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making, improve disruption recovery, and increase schedule reliability.

A critical component of the role is deep partnership with Enterprise Planning and Network Planning to ensure the schedule is operationally viable, resources are aligned, and execution constraints are reflected upstream. This position serves as a key connector between planning and execution, ensuring a closed-loop system that continuously improves operational outcomes.

The Vice President is a senior operational leader who thrives in a high-intensity environment, drives disciplined execution, and builds high-performing teams. This role requires strong cross-functional leadership, sound judgment under pressure, and a relentless focus on safety, consistency, and continuous improvement.

Essential Responsibilities
  • Lead the Air Traffic Management function, ensuring effective integration with System Operations and strong collaboration with the FAA's Air Traffic Organization to optimize system flow and mitigate constraints
  • Own end-to-end operational performance, including safety, completion factor, on-time performance, and recovery effectiveness
  • Hold delegated responsibility for the airline's operational control system, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of Flight Control, System Control, and Network Control within the SOC
  • Ensure a safe, compliant, and effective operating environment, including clear decision rights, escalation paths, and strong operational control interfaces across all stakeholders
  • Lead enterprise response during irregular operations and disruptions, ensuring sound, timely decision-making and system stability
  • Drive the adoption of data science, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to enable predictive and prescriptive operational decision-making
  • Partner closely with Enterprise and Network Planning to ensure schedule design, resource alignment, and execution are fully integrated
  • Champion operational discipline, standardization, and continuous improvement to reduce variability and improve consistency across the operation
  • Lead cross-functional alignment across SOC, Airports, Flight Operations, Inflight, and Technical Operations to improve coordination and decision velocity
  • Partner with Technology to advance SOC systems and platforms to support a more complex, data-driven operation
  • Build and develop a strong leadership bench, fostering accountability, ownership, and operational excellence
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including FAA regulations and the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies
  • Accountable for the effectiveness of the Safety Management System (SMS) within System Operations, ensuring safety risk management is embedded in day-of-operations decision-making
  • Take a significant role in the development of crewmembers to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement
  • Other duties as assigned


Minimum Experience and Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field; OR demonstrated capability to perform job responsibilities with a High School Diploma/GED and at least four (4) years of previous relevant work experience
  • Ten (10) years of leadership experience with a Part 121 carrier
  • Ten (10) combined airline experience in System Operations, Airports, Technical Operations and/or Flight Operations
  • Strong working knowledge of Crew Services, Dispatch and ATC and their interdependencies
  • Ability to form relationships with regulatory agencies
  • Knowledge of Federal Aviation Rules (FAR) and Railway Labor Act
  • Knowledge of emergency response procedures
  • Ability to prepare and present a business case and to explain and justify operational decisions
  • Hands on experience with productivity and process improvement methodologies and the use of benchmarks and metrics to track performance
  • A record of success in developing and leading major change initiatives
  • Available for moderate overnight travel (up to 20%)
  • Able to work flexible hours and be available for an emergency response on short notice
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test
  • Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
  • Authorization to work in the US is required, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship


Preferred Experience and Qualifications
  • Fifteen (15) years of leadership experience with a Part 121 carrier
  • Experience working in a unionized environment, including labor relations, contract negotiations, or partnership with organized labor groups
  • Experience implementing or scaling data science, analytics, or AI capabilities in an operational environment
  • Experience partnering with enterprise or network planning functions to improve schedule design and execution
  • Advanced degree in business, operations, engineering, or related field


Crewmember Expectations:
  • Regular attendance and punctuality
  • Ability to work flexible hours and respond to operational needs on short notice
  • Maintain a professional appearance
  • When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, assist with light cleaning of the aircraft if time permits
  • Exhibit JetBlue's values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion, and Fun
  • Fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue's Safety Management System (SMS)
  • Promote safety as a Safety Ambassador and support all SMS components and behaviors
  • Identify and report safety concerns through appropriate channels, including ASAP and SAR programs
  • Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT), and company policies
  • Uphold JetBlue's safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities
  • The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position.


Equipment:
  • Computer and other office equipment


Work Environment:
  • Traditional Office Environment


Physical Effort:
  • Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)


Compensation:
  • The base pay range for this position is between $251,000 and $377,000 per year. Base pay is one component of JetBlue's total compensation package, which may also include performance bonuses, restricted stock units, as well as access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.


About JetBlue Airways

JetBlue is a customer service channel for Major United States Airline based in Queens, New York. It is a passenger airline that operates primarily on point-to-point routes with its fleet of 120 Airbus A320 aircraft and 49 EMBRAER 190 aircraft. As of December 31, 2011, it served 70 destinations in 22 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico and 12 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Most of JetBlue flights have as an origin or destination New York or one of its other focus cities: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Orlando or San Juan, Puerto Rico. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated an average of 700 daily flights. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired eight take-off and landing slots at each of New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport. The Company’s operations primarily consist of transporting passengers on its aircraft with domestic United States operations, including Puerto Rico, which accounted for 85% of its capacity in 2011.

JetBlue Airways Careers

There has never been a more exciting time to explore job opportunities at JetBlue Airways, a leading company in the aviation industry known for its innovation, strong culture, and commitment to diversity and leadership development. Work You’ll Do Join JetBlue Airways' dynamic team to help redefine the future of air travel with a focus on customer service excellence and operational efficiency. At JetBlue, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Transform your career and the airline industry with JetBlue’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Lead from a unique position in the marketplace, where your skills in technology, customer service, and team collaboration are highly valued. Work with a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about creating an outstanding travel experience. Collaborate with industry leaders and benefit from a culture that supports career advancement and professional development. Introducing the JetBlue Professional Growth and Development Initiative We are building a market-leading team to master the challenges of the modern aviation industry. At JetBlue, you will find a supportive environment where career growth and learning are encouraged through comprehensive training and leadership development programs. Do Innovative Work Join a team that is at the forefront of the aviation industry, where you can apply your skills in a variety of roles, from pilot and cabin crew positions to engineering and customer support. JetBlue offers a wide range of job opportunities that allow you to innovate and excel. Be Part of a Great Team Work on a wide range of projects and utilize the latest technology in aviation. Harness the unparalleled capabilities of a team that values integrity, teamwork, and mutual respect. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with JetBlue Airways, where your ambition can take you to new heights. Enjoy near-limitless opportunities to grow professionally, supported by unmatched training, development, and certification support. Explore JetBlue’s internship programs offer a unique insight into the workings of one of the most innovative airlines in the industry. These programs provide hands-on experience and are a stepping stone to full-time employment. The JetBlue Experience Our combined service capabilities, commitment to innovation, and a diverse and inclusive workplace help employees thrive and lead in their careers. At JetBlue, we are dedicated to nurturing a professional environment where every team member can succeed. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Explore the various employment paths JetBlue Airways offers, from customer service to pilot positions. SEARCH JETBLUE 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 Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at JetBlue Airways.
Learn more about JetBlue Airways
Size
19,304 employees
Market Cap
$2 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
-$1.3 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
-1.7%
Revenue
$2.9 billion
NASDAQ
JBLU
* Ladders Estimates

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