Chief Operating Officer (Airline Ground Services)

Eulen

  • Miami, FL
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 29 days ago
Description :About our companyGrupo EULEN USA is a leading provider of integrated aviation support services across major airports in the United States and the Caribbean. As part of the globally recognized Grupo EULEN, headquartered in Spain and operating in over a dozen countries. We bring more than 60 years of operational excellence and innovation to the aviation industry.Our Aviation Division specializes in ground handling services, including cabin cleaning, ramp operations, wheelchair assistance, passenger support, GSE maintenance, cargo screening, customer service, and airport security. We operate in a highly regulated, fast-paced environment where safety, compliance, and service excellence are non-negotiable standards.About the roleGrupo Eulen USA is seeking a strategic, results-driven Chief Operating Officer to lead and oversee our Ground Handling division, delivering essential airport services across multiple U.S. and Jamaican airports. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, compliance, employee engagement, and profitability across all service lines, including Cabin Services, Security, Wheelchair Assistance, Ramp, GSE, Passenger Support, Customer Service, and Cargo Screening. Based in Miami, FL, the Chief Operating Officer will collaborate with cross-functional teams to align business strategy with performance outcomes while ensuring all airport operations exceed regulatory, safety, and financial standards.What you’ll do
  • Provide leadership and strategic direction for all ground handling operations across airports in the U.S. and Jamaica.
  • Leading operational excellence programs: Developing and executing comprehensive strategies to identify and eliminate waste, streamline processes, and improve quality across the domestic and international airports.
  • Acquisition of new accounts and maintenance of existing ones.
  • Lead the business development process for the Aviation Division and maintain ongoing relationships with existing clients, seeking new business opportunities and strengthening long-term client loyalty.
  • Analyze business evolution (both quantitative and qualitative) and guide commercial efforts within the area of responsibility by leveraging in-depth knowledge of the local market (including niche segments) to identify new growth strategies.
  • Define the strategic guidelines for aviation activity at the national level in terms of business development, margins, and sales, while monitoring and overseeing budgets and profit and loss statements for the various services or departments at each station.
  • Serve as a primary executive liaison with airline and airport partners, ensuring contractual obligations and service expectations are met.
  • Lead and support the execution of new contract launches, operational transitions, and service expansions.
  • Identify opportunities to expand services or introduce operational efficiencies across markets.
  • Collaborate with Business Development and Bid Teams on proposals, presentations, and market analysis.
  • Manage multimillion-dollar operational budgets and P&L across locations.
  • Analyze cost structures, forecast revenue, and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising service quality.
  • Supervise workforce management activities to guarantee service efficiency across all operational areas.
  • Lead a high-performing leadership team across service lines and stations, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
  • Mentor and guide Regional Directors and General Managers to ensure succession planning and workforce development.
  • Promote employee engagement across the division's 3000+ personnel through communication, recognition, and leadership visibility.
  • Represent EULEN in key client meetings, audits, and negotiations.
  • Champion a safety-first culture aligned with FAA, TSA, OSHA, and airport-specific regulations.
  • Ensure compliance of performance evaluation and tracking records according to business and CBA policies across all levels of reporting workforce to maintain client service standards.
What we are looking for
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Logistics, or related field (Master’s preferred).
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in aviation ground handling or airport operations.
  • Proven track record of acquiring new business and executing via RFPs or other mediums.
  • Proven track record managing large-scale, multi-location operations with a workforce of 1,000+ employees.
  • Strong financial acumen and the ability to engage in pricing and negotiations.
LocationThis position is based in Miami, FL, and requires the selected candidate to reside locally or be willing to relocate.Travel and Systems
  • Must be able to travel domestically and internationally (primarily to Jamaica and throughout the U.S.).
  • Availability to respond to emergencies and high-impact operational events
Work EnvironmentThe COO role operates in a professional office setting and frequently requires travel to various operational stations, including airports and service locations. The position involves regular walking, standing, and movement across large areas such as terminals, ramps, and facilities as part of operational oversight, audits, and team engagement.While some administrative tasks are performed at a desk, the role is dynamic and physically active. The individual must be able to travel frequently, move throughout different environments, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through written correspondence. The work environment may include exposure to typical airport noise and conditions during site visits.EEOGrupo Eulen is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, and all other protected classes recognized or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law

Eulen