Program Manager, Transformation (Aircraft and… at WestJet · Calgary

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 role:

The Transformation organization sits at the core of the WestJet Group and is accountable for translating the enterprise strategy into delivered, measurable financial outcomes. Program Managers within Transformation own a single enterprise program end to end, including the business case, the benefit commitments embedded in the annual budget and five-year plan, and the program delivery budget. These roles are designated for top-tier talent with a proven record of delivering transformation at scale and serve as a developmental platform for future leadership roles.

As a member of this team, the Program Manager, Transformation (Aircraft and Supply Chain) leads end-to-end delivery of WestJet’s Aircraft Lifecycle Management and Reliability-Driven Supply Chain agenda and is accountable, in partnership with the Program Sponsor, for the realization of $10–50M in annual run-rate EBITDA benefit. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Strategy and working in close partnership with the VP, Fleet Asset Management and Director, Supply Chain, this role sets delivery strategy and cadence, secures decisions from executive sponsors and the Executive Committee, and directs cross-functional and external delivery resources so committed transformation benefits are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of the aircraft lifecycle and parts supply chain transformation agenda, including scope, integrated plan, milestones, decision gates and the committed outcome of $10–50M in annual run-rate EBITDA benefit, so that transformation value is realized and sustained

• Own the program business case and benefit commitments with Finance and the Program and Executive Sponsor(s) – size unsized components, set and defend the benefit assumptions used in the annual budget and five-year plan, and report realized value against baseline, so that committed savings are credible and auditable

• Direct matrixed delivery teams drawn from Tech Ops, Supply Chain, Fleet Asset Management, Treasury, Technology, Finance and Commercial, plus external consulting and vendor partners – define the work, set standards and hold delivery owners to committed outcomes without formal reporting authority

• Establish a standardized end-to-end aircraft lifecycle decision framework, including governance, decision gates, processes and supporting tools, to enable the lowest total cost of ownership across the leased fleet

• Drive transparency of lifecycle economics – lease return provisions, ownership costs, engine and airframe maintenance, modifications, spares and out-of-service exposure – and convert that transparency into stronger lease inception, extension, return and remarketing outcomes

• Lead the reliability-driven supply chain workstreams – parts demand signal and reliability forecasting, inventory planning and network positioning, material purchasing and supplier economics, and repair cycle and component economics – to reduce urgent-buy premiums, raise inventory turns and release working capital

• Sequence and de-risk foundational technology enablers (e.g., maintenance system and records platform modernization, procurement and repair analytics tooling), ensuring benefits and costs are tracked against the approved case

• Engage executive stakeholders on a regular basis, including the Executive Sponsor(s), Chief Transformation Officer and the Executive Committee – frame trade-offs, recommend decisions on scope, sequencing and investment, and secure alignment and resources, so that the program is unblocked at the pace required

• Determine and manage the program delivery budget, including approved external consulting spend, and establish the delivery operating system – war rooms, escalation paths, RAID discipline, structured lookbacks and Lean problem solving – so that risk, interdependencies and change impacts are controlled

• Integrate the aircraft and supply chain agenda with fleet planning, maintenance planning and enterprise budget cycles so that decisions made two to four years ahead of cost realization are visible, costed and owned

Competencies & Attributes

• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize technical, operational, commercial and financial inputs into concise, compelling insights and defensible benefit cases

• Strong asset and cost acumen; able to connect maintenance and engineering decisions to lease provisions, ownership costs, cash, EBITDA and balance sheet outcomes

• Deep operational credibility with maintenance, engineering, supply chain and fleet teams; comfortable on the hangar floor and in the executive boardroom

• Politically astute and organizationally savvy; skilled at anticipating risks, surfacing trade-offs and mitigating challenges before they materialize

• Demonstrated excellence in program, portfolio and stakeholder management, with meticulous attention to detail and a bias for execution under tight timelines

• Highly trusted and discreet; adept at handling commercially sensitive lessor, supplier and contract information with integrity and professionalism

• Exceptional communication and executive writing skills; able to tailor messaging from technical specialists to the Executive Committee

• Collaborative and team-oriented, yet self-directed and confident in assuming leadership without formal authority

• Optimistic, resilient and solution-focused, with a passion for delivering meaningful organizational impact through operational change

Professional Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive experience in transformation, technical operations, fleet asset management, supply chain or enterprise program delivery within large, complex or matrixed organizations

• Demonstrated accountability for delivering large-scale, enterprise-wide transformation programs of comparable financial scale at another organization – the successful candidate will have done this before, not led it for the first time

• Strong operational experience with a track record of delivering results in technical operations, maintenance, engineering or parts supply chain, including inventory planning, procurement, and repair and overhaul economics

• Solid working knowledge of aircraft leasing economics, including lease rates and terms, return conditions, maintenance reserves and return provisions, engine and LLP economics, green-time management, and extension, part-out and remarketing trade-offs

• Direct experience managing aircraft lease returns is strongly preferred, including return-condition negotiation, maintenance and records readiness, work scope and timing decisions, and settlement or compensation outcomes with lessors

• Experience delivering technical operations or supply chain system implementations (e.g., maintenance and engineering systems, records management, procurement or inventory platforms), including vendor selection and benefits realization

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives across operations, technology, treasury, finance and commercial, driving alignment and execution across diverse stakeholder groups without formal authority

• Strong familiarity with corporate governance processes, including preparation of Board and executive committee materials, business case approval, budget cycles and enterprise portfolio governance

• Lean / Continuous Improvement background, with Lean Six Sigma certification preferred; PMP or equivalent an asset

• Aviation or comparable complex operating environment experience preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Aviation Management, Supply Chain or a related field required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred

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 talent@westjet.com.

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 talent@westjet.com.