Program Manager - Operations

This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.

Why WestJet:

Since our story took off in 1996, WestJet has strived to enrich the lives of everyone in our world; a career with us is no exception. We’re proud to be one of Canada’s most admired and respected corporate cultures and continuously aim for the highest standards of service and success.

Join us, this is where your career story takes off.

Overview of the role:

WestJet is seeking a Program Manager, Operations. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of WestJet’s most impactful teams, playing a key role in advancing our ElevateOps strategy and driving enterprise-wide performance improvements. The team has been instrumental in delivering initiatives that enhance operational reliability, improve the guest experience, and contribute to the strong performance outcomes that have earned WestJet industry recognition for on-time performance and completion factor results.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Operations Performance, you will lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that transform strategic priorities into actionable plans and measurable business outcomes. Partnering closely with senior operational leaders, you will identify opportunities for improvement, solve complex business challenges, and guide initiatives from concept through execution. You will establish program governance, drive delivery excellence, and develop meaningful performance measures while fostering stakeholder alignment, engagement, and accountability. This role combines strategic thinking, operational problem-solving, and program leadership, requiring someone who can effectively navigate between strategy and execution, while influencing outcomes across diverse teams and organizational levels.

As a member of this high-performing team, you will play a key role in shaping the future of operational performance at WestJet, delivering initiatives that drive measurable improvements and lasting business outcomes.

Key deliverables include:

• Lead a portfolio of operational performance and transformation initiatives, including opportunity identification, prioritization, roadmapping and delivery.
• Partner with senior leaders to diagnose business challenges, evaluate opportunities and develop recommendations, business cases and implementation plans.
• Lead complex cross-functional programs and projects, managing scope, milestones, risks, dependencies and outcomes.
• Facilitate executive steering committees, working groups and stakeholder sessions, creating alignment and driving decisions.
• Build executive-level recommendations and presentations that translate complex analysis into clear decisions, actions and next steps.
• Mobilize teams and drive delivery across organizational boundaries without direct authority.
• Track outcomes and adapt plans to ensure initiatives deliver sustainable results.

Experience and qualifications:

• 8–12 years of experience in program/project management, business transformation, management consulting, strategy & execution, operational transformation or advisory roles.
• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through implementation.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn ambiguity into a clear path forward.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and influencing across organizational boundaries.
• Strong program management, facilitation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience developing business cases, recommendations and executive presentations to support investment and decision-making.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex operational environment.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Business, Operations or a related field.

Assets:

• Experience in aviation maintenance, transportation, logistics, or another highly regulated operational environment, partnering with maintenance teams and technical subject matter experts.
• Program or project management certification or formal training.
• Experience with Lean, Agile or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven experience leading or supporting the implementation of new technologies, systems, digital solutions, or process improvements, including change management activities that enable successful adoption and sustained business outcomes.

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 Group of Companies

WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Since the Sunwing Airlines integration in 2025, more than 15,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to our global network of more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The WestJet Group is a major Canadian employer and includes WestJet Airlines, WestJet Encore and Sunwing Vacations Group. We’re Canada’s leading value airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.

Our safety promise

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. Safety and security are shared responsibilities all team members are expected to use safe work practices to ensure their well-being and the safety of others. WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as Safey-Sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We embrace what makes each of us unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. We welcome diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds so if you're passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply – even if you don't meet every qualification listed. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility throughout the selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

We value the time and effort you put into your application. Our recruitment process is highly competitive and while every applicant will receive communication regarding their application status, only those selected to move forward will be contacted with next steps. If this role isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.

For more information about everything WestJet, please westjet.com/aboutus.

If you wish to withdraw your application or request that your personal information be deleted, please contact us at [email protected].