About the role

Position Title: Head – Project Management Office (PMO), Operations Transformation

Location: Gurugram
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Team Size: 3–4 direct reports

Job Purpose

To lead and drive strategic transformation across Air India’s operational functions, with a hands-on approach to engaging operational teams (Engineering, IOCC, Flight Operations, Cabin Crew, Airport Operations). The PMO Head will proactively identify areas for improvement, foster cross-functional collaboration, and deliver measurable change in Safety & Compliance, Reliability, Resilience, and Cost Efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deep Operational Engagement

Build strong working relationships with Engineering, IOCC, Flight Ops, Cabin Crew, and Airport Operations teams.
Regularly interact with frontline and management staff to understand operational realities, pain points, and opportunities.
Conduct in-depth reviews of processes, systems, and team structures to identify transformation opportunities from an organizational perspective.

2. Initiative & Change Leadership

Proactively identify and prioritize transformation areas that align with Air India’s strategic objectives and Vihaan.AI goals.
Take ownership of driving change, from ideation to execution, ensuring initiatives are relevant, impactful, and sustainable.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to challenge the status quo and adopt best practices.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Facilitate collaboration between operational teams, breaking down silos and improving handoffs.
Lead cross-functional workshops, working groups, and project teams to address complex challenges and deliver integrated solutions.
Ensure alignment and buy-in from all stakeholders for transformation projects.

4. Senior Management Support

Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations, dashboards, and reports for senior management and Board meetings.
Synthesize operational insights into strategic recommendations, highlighting risks, opportunities, and required decisions.
Support the COO and leadership team in communicating transformation progress and outcomes.

5. Transformation Pillars

Safety & Compliance: Ensure all initiatives uphold and enhance safety standards and regulatory compliance.
Reliability: Drive improvements in operational reliability, punctuality, and service consistency.
Resilience: Strengthen the organization’s ability to respond to disruptions and adapt to change.
Cost Efficiency: Identify and implement cost-saving measures without compromising quality or safety.

Skills & Attributes

Demonstrated ability to engage deeply with operational teams and understand complex processes.
Strong initiative, with a track record of identifying and driving transformation projects.
Excellent cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture and translate it into actionable plans.
Outstanding communication and presentation skills, especially for senior leadership audiences.
Expertise in project/program management, change management, and digital tools.

Qualifications & Experience

MBA or advanced degree
Minimum 10+ years of experience in operations, project management, or transformation roles, with at least 5 years in aviation or a similar industry.
Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering measurable operational improvements.
Experience preparing and presenting to senior management and Board-level stakeholders.

Key Interfaces

Internal: COO, Operations Leadership (Engineering, IOCC, Flight Ops, Cabin Crew, Airport Ops), PMO team, Finance, HR, IT, BU Transformation Leads.
External: Regulatory Authorities, Strategic Partners/Consultants, Vendors, Technology Providers.

This role requires a hands-on, strategic leader who can engage deeply with operational teams, identify what needs to change from an organizational perspective, and drive transformation across Air India’s four pillars: Safety & Compliance, Reliability, Resilience, and Cost Efficiency.