Chief Executive Officer, dnata USA

About the role

dnata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make. We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If you're inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.

Responsibilities

• Lead the USA business strategy, five-year plan and long-term roadmap in line with dnata’s global direction and Board priorities.
• Partner with the Regional CEO and DSVP Airport Operations to drive growth, financial performance and cash generation, responding to market, regulatory and operational change.
• Turn strategy into clear priorities across the business.
• Lead transformation through automation, digitalisation and process improvement, with an operating model and workforce plan that support reliable delivery and future growth.
• Ensure safe, reliable and efficient service across ground handling, logistics and cargo operations, meeting customer, regulatory, safety and security requirements while improving productivity and quality.
• Own the dnata USA P&L and delivery of revenue, profit, cash, capital efficiency and sustainable returns.
• Lead tender performance, contract delivery, pricing, new lines of business and revenue growth.
• Develop and present annual budgets covering consolidated profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow, with clear investment, staffing and productivity plans for each business.
• Ensure compliance with dnata’s governance frameworks, including ‘The dnata Way’ and GCAM, and oversee risk across safety, operations, finance and regulation.
• Make evidence-based decisions within delegated authority while balancing current performance with long-term organisational, environmental and social sustainability.
• Champion a strong safety culture and adherence to aviation standards. Oversee incident prevention, executive-level investigations, organisational learning, safety systems and reporting.
• Lead business continuity and crisis response, maintaining operational performance, customer service and organisational focus during disruption.
• Lead, develop and empower the executive management team. Set clear targets, hold leaders accountable and build a culture of collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement and commitment to dnata’s values.
• Oversee organisational design, succession planning and capability development for critical roles.
• Communicate priorities clearly and sustain engagement across the multi-site organisation, particularly through change.
• Build relationships with existing and prospective customers, shareholders, airport authorities, regulators, border agencies, institutions and industry partners.
• Act as executive sponsor for strategic customers and major partnerships, and promptly inform the Board of matters that could substantially affect the business, its reputation or licence to operate.
• Perform any other responsibility or duty delegated by the Board from time to time.

Requirements

• A degree or honours qualification in Business, Finance, Operations or a related field, with