Manager - Navigation

MAIN OBJECTIVE OF ROLE: To manage and optimise the airline's navigation systems, flight planning provision, and aeronautical information, ensuring safe, efficient, and regulatory\-compliant flight operations while supporting on\-time and operational performance, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: * Manages the performance, accuracy, and integrity of the flight planning system, ensuring timely updates to databases, rules, and configurations to maintain regulatory compliance. * Manages the administration and provision of seasonal and ad hoc overflight permits. * Manages the performance, accuracy, and integrity of airport data, navigation databases, and charting provision to support flydubai flight operations, ensuring timely updates and compliance with regulation and international aviation standards. * Leads the resolution of charting and database anomalies or discrepancies, ensuring timely communication with third\-party vendors and other stakeholders. * Manages airports, including risk assessments, monitoring existing airports, conducting analysis and categorising new airports for operational suitability. * Manages the production and maintenance of airport briefings to provide accurate airport information to Flight Operations, mitigating risks or hazards associated with operations into flydubai network airports. * Implements and enhances navigation systems automation to streamline processes, directly supporting operational needs. * Oversees the collaboration with flydubai IT on navigation systems integrations with other operational systems within the company. * Manages vendor resolution for navigation systems anomalies, ensuring timely communication with internal stakeholders. * Identifies and leads navigation related projects aimed at improving operational and fuel efficiency, protecting On\-Time Performance (OTP), and aligning with corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. * Oversees the collaboration with Flight Operations, Network Control Centrre (NCC), Network Planning, Airport Services, and Aviation Security to ensure alignment of airport, navigation, and charting information in accordance with regulatory requirements. * Monitors and analyses developments in air navigation and airport infrastructure through engagement with local regulators, ANSPs, and industry bodies (e.g., GCAA, EUROCONTROL, IATA, ICAO). * Leads, mentors, and develops a team of navigation and flight planning specialists, ensuring effective succession planning, capability development, and operational excellence. * Evaluates Flight Operations Technical plans, policies, and procedures, implementing improvements as necessary. * Establishes team objectives and priorities that align with and support broader business goals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Navigation Services team. QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor's Degree (3\+ years) * Degree in aviation related subject preferred * Fluent in English (other languages an advantage) * Significant experience in a Flight Dispatch or Navigation Services role. Extensive experience managing flight planning systems, navigation databases, aeronautical charting products, and technical authoring of operations manuals. Expert knowledge of aviation operations, airport management, aeronautical information management (AIM), and navigation data coding (ARINC 424\). Familiarity with airport performance limitations, obstacles, NOTAM analysis and runway/airport infrastructure requirements. Demonstrated experience conducting airfield categorisation and safety risk assessments. Strong understanding of air navigation regulations, flight planning processes, and fuel optimisation methodologies. Proven stakeholder engagement experience representing airlines in international aviation forums, including regulatory bodies, industry associations, and technical working groups. Proven experience managing third\-party vendors and technical service providers within an aviation environment. Experience leading a team of aviation technical experts. * Extensive knowledge of flight planning systems, database management, operational integration, navigation providers and tools (preferably Lido charting and navigation databases, CAE FPM, Comply 365, and Bytron Skybook). Knowledge of aviation data analysis and system monitoring tools. Sound knowledge of aircraft communication systems (ACARS, SATCOM, etc.). * Years with qualifications: 8 \- 10 years * Flight Dispatch Licence preferred COMPETENCIES: * Customer Focus * Teamwork * Effective Communication * Personal Accountability \& Commitment to achieve * Resilience \& Flexibility (Can do attitude) * Decision Making * Inspiring \& Developing Others * Strategic Thinking * Business Acumen ISR Requirements: Reads and complies with the ISR policies of the Company and diligently reports any weakness or incidents to the respective Line Manager or the Information Security team. Completes all required ISR awareness sessions and follows associated guidelines in the day\-to\-day business operations.