Senior Director Canadian Surveillance Operations

Headquartered in Atlantic Canada with a global presence in over 60 countries and a dedication to special mission aircraft excellence for over 50 years, the PAL Aerospace team thrives at the forefront of aviation technology and expert crew skills. As a rapidly growing company, we’ve built a reputation for delivering airborne special mission solutions that enable our clients to address today’s complex security, safety, economic, and environmental threats – we need exceptionally talented industry professionals to help us do that. On the PAL Aerospace team, you’re working alongside a tight-knit group and incredibly talented engineers, technicians, operators, pilots, and ambitious clients to make the world a safer and more sustainable place.

Operating for domestic affairs agencies, coast guards, fisheries protection, search and rescue, and other public safety organizations, our Airborne Maritime Surveillance Division (AMSD) offers immediate access to special missions’ aircraft, sensors, and crew.

Senior Director of Canadian Surveillance Operations

Given the global nature of our operations, we are also flexible on location in St. John’s, NL, Halifax, NS, or Ottawa, ON for the preferred candidate.

Senior Director of Canadian Surveillance Operations, you will serve as the senior operational leader and primary point of contact for the client, acting as the face of the contract and ensuring the successful delivery of all contractual, operational, financial, and strategic objectives. In partnership with the Vice President of Operations and Business Development, you will be responsible for fostering strong client relationships, driving operational excellence, supporting business growth initiatives, and ensuring long-term contract success and sustainability.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for all Canadian Surveillance Operations, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, client expectations, and contractual obligations.
• Work collaboratively with Business Development and senior leadership to identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities, partnerships, and market expansion initiatives, with a primary focus on aerospace, defence, surveillance, and government services sectors.

Client Relations & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the principal liaison between PAL Aerospace and the client to ensure all contractual obligations, service level agreements, and performance expectations are consistently met or exceeded.
• Successfully manage client concerns, risks, and operational issues while ensuring timely communication, resolution, and follow-through.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with government agencies, contractors, industry partners, and other stakeholders critical to operational success.

Financial Accountability & Operational Performance

• Assume overall accountability for the financial performance of Canadian Surveillance Operations, including budget adherence, profitability, cost controls, and operational efficiencies.
• Monitor financial performance against established budgets and key performance indicators, implementing corrective actions as required to achieve financial and operational targets.

Operational Excellence

• Provide oversight and direction to operational leaders, ensuring safe, effective, and compliant execution of surveillance operations.
• Collaborate with CarteNav, Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I), and Business Development teams to identify and leverage innovation opportunities.
• Work closely with DFO International and other stakeholders to ensure international deployments are effectively planned and executed in support of broader Government of Canada objectives.

Leadership, Talent Development & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead, mentor, and develop managers and operational leaders to strengthen leadership capabilities, enhance performance, and support succession planning initiatives.
• Promote employee engagement and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence throughout PAL Aerospace.
• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, and organizational development initiatives.

Governance, Reporting & Communication

• Provide weekly operational, financial, and strategic performance updates in accordance with management reporting requirements.
• Monitor contractual compliance, regulatory requirements, and corporate policies, ensuring all operations are conducted in accordance with applicable legislation, safety standards, and company procedures.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level reports, recommendations, and presentations regarding operational performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Engineering, Public Administration, Military Studies, or a related field. A Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in aviation, aerospace, defence, surveillance operations, government services, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex government contracts and fostering strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams within a highly regulated operational environment.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, profitability, and operational efficiencies.
• Experience working with federal government departments, agencies, defence organizations, or related stakeholders is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in a unionized environment, including collective agreement administration and labour relations, is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, drive continuous improvement, and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

What PAL Aerospace can offer YOU

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Pension Plan with Employer Matching.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Personal travel privileges with PAL and interline agreements with multiple airlines.
• Industry discounts (hotels, rentals cars, etc.).
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• A unique opportunity to advance your career by joining a growing but recognizable brand in a challenging, constantly changing industry.

PAL Aerospace is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that celebrates and encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion whereby individuals are recognized, supported, and respected.

CANDIDATES OF ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank You.

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