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.
The Director, Fleet Technical Programs is a senior leadership role responsible for leading the execution of strategic fleet initiatives and technical programs that maximize aircraft value, operational readiness, and fleet performance throughout the asset lifecycle. Reporting to the Vice President, Fleet Asset Management, the role provides leadership and governance for aircraft induction, fleet transitions, modifications, cabin reconfigurations, certification initiatives, lease return preparations, and other strategic fleet programs. Through close coordination with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and external partners, the Director ensures programs are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and aligned with fleet objectives while protecting aircraft availability, reliability, regulatory compliance, and long-term asset value.
Director, Fleet Technical Programs Overview
- Reporting to the VP, Fleet Asset Management, the Director, Fleet Technical Programs is accountable for ensuring aircraft modifications, reconfigurations, certification initiatives, and EIS programs are delivered on time, on budget, and operationally ready. This role exists to translate fleet strategy and transactions into disciplined, executable programs, preventing late discovery of risk, uncontrolled scope growth, and operational disruption.
Program Ownership & Execution
- Own end-to-end execution of the fleet technical portfolio—new aircraft induction/acquisition and EIS, modifications and cabin reconfigurations, certification/STC efforts, and phase-in/phase-out transitions—translating fleet strategy and transactions into defined, resourced, sequenced programs integrated with Maintenance Planning, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and GX.
- Accountable for delivering commitments within capacity constraints and operational priorities, with clear ownership of schedule adherence, execution quality, and aircraft downtime performance across programs.
Governance, Controls & Delivery Discipline
- Establish and enforce delivery governance across the portfolio, applying stage-gate readiness, scope definition and freeze points, controlled change management, integrated schedule/cost tracking, and disciplined risk/issue management.
- Leverage best practices in program/project governance and control to maintain a single source of truth for program status, aircraft downtime, and executive reporting, and escalate execution risks early—clearly and transparently—with pragmatic recovery options to the VP, Fleet Asset Management.
Cross-Functional Integration
- Serve as the primary execution integrator across Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, GX, Integrated Planning, Fleet Operations, and external vendors—aligning functional inputs into one coherent plan that protects aircraft availability, reliability, and operational priorities.
- Ensure technical program execution remains aligned with enterprise fleet strategy, network requirements, and capacity constraints, translating competing priorities into stable, executable sequences.
Operational Readiness & Asset Protection
- Ensure programs deliver operationally ready aircraft at EIS by aligning maintenance programs, maintaining configuration control and records compliance, and driving post EIS quality and reliability performance.
- Drive disciplined sequencing and vendor oversight to prevent late or degraded entry into service, poorly planned maintenance events, quality escapes/rework, and post entry defects that erode reliability and TD0.
Leadership
- Support the build-out of the Fleet Technical Programs team, instilling execution capability and leadership depth while setting consistent delivery standards and accountability across the portfolio.
Other Requirements
- Highly collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across a broad and diverse set of cross functional stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage detailed program information while distilling it into clear, executive ready briefs, recommendations, and updates.
- Strong financial acumen coupled with a deep understanding of fleet related complexities and considerations.
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
[email protected].
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
[email protected].
