Director of Planning & Allocations

Role Overview

The Director of Planning & Allocations is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational performance, and continuous improvement of airline planning functions. This role ensures alignment with organizational goals while maintaining compliance with airline requirements, optimizing cost performance, and enhancing client satisfaction.

Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Define and execute the planning function strategy aligned with business objectives
  • Establish KPIs (e.g., schedule accuracy, SLA adherence, cost savings, productivity)
  • Lead workforce planning aligned with airline bid cycles and demand variability
  • Build leadership bench strength and succession planning
• Operational Excellence
  • Oversee end-to-end planning operations (pairing files, schedules, hotel/GT execution)
  • Ensure compliance with airline business rules, contracts, and timelines
  • Mitigate operational risks (e.g., discrepancies, missed deadlines, negative savings)
  • Ensure timely schedule migration, release, and delivery
• Client & Stakeholder Management
  • Act as senior escalation point for airline partners
  • Lead QBRs, planning reviews, and forecasting discussions
  • Align with Account Management on client satisfaction and retention strategies
• Data Governance & Systems
  • Ensure integrity of planning data across ACES, CRM, and related systems
  • Implement audit controls and data quality standards
  • Oversee system enhancements and integrations impacting planning workflows
• Process Improvement
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives and automation opportunities
  • Identify system gaps and partner with PMO/IT for resolution
• Financial & Performance Management
  • Monitor cost drivers (hotel, transportation, tax optimization)
  • Ensure alignment with budgeting and financial targets
  • Deliver reporting and analytics to leadership and clients

Leadership Scope

• Direct Oversight
  • Direct oversight of Planning and Data Entry teams
• Cross-functional Influence
  • Cross-functional influence across Account Management, Accounting, Reservations, and Technology
• Ownership of Planning-related Outcomes
  • Ownership of planning-related client outcomes and operational performance

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• SLA adherence (schedule delivery, exports, migrations)
• Planning accuracy and discrepancy rates
• Cost savings / avoidance (lodging, GT, tax optimization)
• Data accuracy and audit results
• Client satisfaction and retention
• Employee engagement and turnover

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years in airline operations, planning, or logistics
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles
• Expertise in airline crew scheduling, pairing logic, and bid period planning
• Strong financial, operational, and analytical acumen

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Operational Leadership
• Airline Industry Expertise
• Stakeholder Influence
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Change Leadership

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, normal core business hours. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Compensation

The good faith compensation for this position is $100,000 - 125,000, commensurate with experience. Plus, annual discretionary bonus.

Other Duties

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time according to business needs.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

AAP/EEO Statement

Accommodations Plus International is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

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