Sr Project Manager - Disruption Management 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.

Senior Project Manager – Disruption Management
Position Summary
WestJet is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join our Disruption Management team within the Operations Control Centre (OCC), leading complex, high-impact initiatives that strengthen how WestJet anticipates, manages and recovers from operational disruption and reporting into the Portfolio Manager, Disruption Management.
Initially, this role will have a significant focus on the implementation of an OCC Decision Support capability, establishing the delivery structure required to bring together operational requirements, disruption visualization, data, technology and business processes into an integrated operational capability.
You will lead the initiative from planning through implementation, coordinating complex dependencies across Operations, OCC, Product, Technology and other business areas while establishing clear governance, accountability, decision-making and delivery plans.
As the Disruption Management portfolio evolves, the role will expand to lead broader cross-functional initiatives across the end-to-end disruption journey.
Success in this role requires strong leadership without formal authority. You will operate in a highly matrixed and time-sensitive environment, bringing structure to ambiguity, aligning diverse stakeholders and ensuring initiatives remain focused on measurable operational and business outcomes.
Key Deliverables
OCC Decision Support Implementation
• Lead the end-to-end implementation of the OCC Decision Support capability, establishing integrated plans across business, operational and technology workstreams.
• Coordinate the delivery of operational requirements, disruption visualization, data, integrations, technology and business readiness.
• Establish clear governance, accountabilities, milestones, decision points and escalation paths.
• Identify and actively manage cross-functional dependencies, risks, constraints and critical-path activities.
• Partner closely with OCC SMEs, Business Analysis, Product and Technology to maintain alignment between operational needs and solution delivery.
Project Leadership & Delivery
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from business case and initiation through implementation, stabilization and transition.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, resource requirements and delivery commitments.
• Establish clear project baselines and proactively manage changes to scope, schedule, cost and expected outcomes.
• Bring structure to complex or ambiguous initiatives, ensuring teams understand priorities, accountabilities and required decisions.
• Proactively identify barriers and drive resolution with minimal escalation.
Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Build strong relationships across Operations, OCC, Product, Technology and other business areas required to deliver successful outcomes.
• Lead through influence in a highly matrixed environment, securing commitments and maintaining accountability across teams.
• Facilitate effective decision-making, resolve competing priorities and manage conflict constructively.
• Tailor communication and engagement approaches for audiences ranging from subject matter experts to senior leaders.
Governance, Risk & Dependencies
• Establish and maintain appropriate project governance, reporting and controls.
• Identify, track and manage risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies across business and technology workstreams.
• Ensure decisions, commitments and changes are clearly documented and communicated.
• Provide transparent reporting on project health, emerging risks, required decisions and overall delivery confidence.
Business Outcomes & Operational Readiness
• Partner with business and analytical teams to establish project objectives, success measures, baselines and expected benefits.
• Maintain focus on intended operational and business outcomes throughout delivery.
• Coordinate operational readiness across people, process, technology, training, communications and business procedures.
• Ensure appropriate transition, stabilization and ownership are established before project closure.
• Monitor delivery against expected benefits and identify risks to benefits realization.
Experience & Qualifications
• 10+ years of project management experience with progressively increasing complexity and accountability.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, cross-functional business and technology initiatives from initiation through implementation.
• Proven ability to lead through influence and establish accountability in highly matrixed environments.
• Strong experience developing and managing integrated project plans, budgets, schedules, dependencies, risks and governance.
• Demonstrated ability to bring structure and direction to complex or ambiguous initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management, facilitation, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience working with senior leaders, operational teams, subject matter experts, Product and Technology teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate project status, risks, decisions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain focus on business outcomes and benefits in addition to traditional project delivery measures.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology or another relevant field. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.
• PMP certification strongly preferred.
Assets
• Experience within airline operations, OCC, disruption management or another complex, time-critical operational environment.
• Experience implementing operational decision-support, visualization, situational-awareness or real-time operational capabilities.
• Experience delivering initiatives involving significant data, integration and technology dependencies.
• Experience working within highly regulated operational environments.
• Change Management (PROSCI), Agile or other industry-recognized certifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, O365 and contemporary project management and collaboration tools.

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.