Airspace Leader/Executive

About the Role

We're recruiting Senior Project Leaders / Executives with specialized airspace expertise to lead a comprehensive study of military airspace usage across Canada. This engagement will define future airspace requirements to support the modernization of combat aviation capabilities, ensuring our client retains the flexibility and volume of airspace needed for effective training as the national airspace system evolves. The successful candidate will benchmark processes against international air navigation service providers and allied air forces to bring global best practices into this modernization effort.

Airspace is a critical resource for training combat forces, and rising demand from military, allied, and civilian operators is driving the need for modern approaches to airspace segregation, ownership, sharing, and communication. This role sits at the center of a multi-stakeholder modernization effort covering Trajectory Based Operations, Flexible Use Airspace, and Free Route Airspace concepts, working alongside national aviation regulators and the national air navigation services provider.

What You'll Do

• Analyze historical and current military airspace usage data to identify usage patterns, geographic concentrations, and any shortfall or excess in current airspace allocations relative to training requirements

• Assess airspace of strategic importance for multinational exercises, force integration, continental defence commitments, and expeditionary readiness, and recommend appropriate management structures

• Analyze surveillance data to evaluate the impact of military operations on civilian air traffic and identify fuel-saving opportunities

• Determine future airspace requirements by fleet and base to support modernized combat capabilities, including emerging technologies such as high-altitude long endurance operations and remotely piloted aircraft systems

• Evaluate which controlled and restricted airspace areas should remain under military control, be returned to civilian air navigation management, or be managed by a newly established airspace management body

• Assess opportunities to apply variable/flexible airspace profile concepts to increase flexibility for both military and civilian users

• Benchmark IT/IM systems and airspace deconfliction tools used by allied nations and international air navigation service providers, and recommend a roadmap for future systems and interoperability

• Develop an organizational framework, staffing recommendations, and a decision-making model for a new airspace management coordination body

• Recommend training, certification, and recurring planning processes to support ongoing airspace management and civilian aviation coordination

Deliverables & Schedule

• Kick-off meeting within 15 working days of contract start, including a project management plan and delivery schedule

• Six major work-package deliverables (detailed reports and recommendations) delivered progressively over the course of the engagement

• Monthly progress review meetings with minutes and action items

• Monthly schedule and status updates

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Extensive senior-level experience in airspace planning, air traffic management, or military aviation operations

• Strong understanding of airspace classification systems, restricted/danger/advisory area management, and modern airspace concepts (Flexible Use Airspace, Free Route Airspace, Trajectory Based Operations)

• Experience benchmarking against international air navigation service providers or allied air forces is a strong asset

• Familiarity with airspace deconfliction and IT/IM systems used in air traffic and military airspace management

• Strong report writing, briefing, and stakeholder engagement skills

• Eligible to obtain and maintain a government security clearance at the level required for this engagement; candidates requiring access to controlled goods or classified material must be eligible for registration under applicable government security programs

• Fluent in English (spoken and written)

• Willingness to travel domestically, including extended stays, and internationally where required (valid passport needed)

Engagement Details

• Level of effort: approximately 360 days (senior), over the duration of the contract

• Location: on-site at approved locations in Ottawa, Winnipeg, and additional operational bases as required, with some remote work permitted from a secured, client-issued device; any work involving classified information must be performed on-site

• Travel: domestic travel required; occasional international travel possible, subject to pre-approval

• Language: English