Assistant Manager Operations - Regulatory & Industry Affairs (Central & North Asia)

Role Introduction

Reports To: ​​Operations Manager – Regulatory & Industry Affairs​ 

This role is part of a professional team in our Flight Operations Department, which consists of flight crew and ground staff teams, both working to ensure the highest standards of operational efficiency and service. Safety is intrinsic to everything we do.

Working collaboratively with the Head and Managers of the Regulatory Affairs team (RAF), this role oversees the regulatory affairs function for both regions. The position ensures compliance with regulatory standards and enhances operational efficiency, managing tasks related to Overflight Clearance (OFC) for the entire Cathay Pacific network. 

This role is essential in advocating for the interests of the company, fostering relationships with key stakeholders, and ensuring adherence to aviation regulatory standards. The post holder will actively engage in safety collaborations, support operational network matters, and gather insights to prepare the company for future challenges and opportunities. By building and nurturing relationships with both government and non-government stakeholders, the role will help the department understand policy directions and identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency while mitigating risks. 

Additionally, the position will involve tracking policies and regulations related to Cathay Pacific (CX)'s operations and identifying potential challenges. The post holder will participate in strategic engagements, ensuring that CX remains an active participant in national, regional and local developments, thereby strengthening its corporate brand and operational capabilities across regions. 

Key Responsibilities

Region A: Central and North Asia (Mainland Affairs)

• Conduct and update a comprehensive mapping of key national stakeholders, which includes central authorities, industry partners, and industry organizations. This mapping is essential for developing a robust engagement plan that aligns with the CX’s business goals, particularly in an flight operations front
• Actively contribute to the formulation and execution of a strategic engagement plan for key stakeholders. This involves building an effective network of relationships that not only enhances their understanding of the CX’s operations but also secures their buy-in for the CX’s long-term vision and objectives
• Plan, organize, and participate in various meetings, events, and activities designed to facilitate meaningful engagement with strategic stakeholders. Support senior management's engagement activities in the Chinese Mainland to foster collaboration and dialogue
• Play a vital role in the implementation and management of strategic engagement programs. These programs may encompass initiatives related to CX’s operating network development, regulatory monitoring and compliance, safety standards, and various aviation projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency
• Prepare comprehensive updates and reports on aviation policy developments and emerging opportunities at the national level. This includes detailing the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)’s policy perspectives and their implications for the airline's operations, along with actionable recommendations to mitigate potential policy risks
• Collaborate closely with other departments and internal stakeholders in our Beijing and Shenzhen offices. This teamwork is crucial for supporting the development and execution of the CX’s business and operational initiatives within the Chinese Mainland, ensuring alignment across all areas
• Assist in securing necessary authorizations and ensuring access to the Chinese Mainland airspace by working closely with internal teams. This involves optimizing flight routes and navigation procedures to enhance operational efficiency and compliance
• Prepare and manage applications and variations for China Operational Specifications (OPSPEC), CCAR-129, effectively coordinating associated matters to ensure smooth operations and adherence to regulatory requirements
• Facilitate CAAC inspection activities by coordinating with relevant authorities and internal stakeholders. This includes ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared and available to support a successful inspection process
• Oversee compliance with the CAAC Supervision and Enforcement System, ensuring that all operations adhere to aviation authority policies and procedures. Contribute to the overall strategic engagement efforts by portraying CX as an active participant in national and local developments, as well as fostering cross-border cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong SAR

Shared Responsibilities

1. Overflight Clearance

• Oversee and ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the OFC process, covering the tasks for both CX passenger and freighter services
• Collaborate closely with teammates, coordinating with FOP teams and PLN to prepare for seasonal, ad-hoc, and charter applications, while providing OFC solutions for abnormal or urgent operational requirements
• Offer consultative support to Flight Dispatch, IOC, and PLN regarding OFC issues (24/7) and support the OFC matters of Air Hong Kong
• Coordinate with IMT to identify better IT solutions for system issues that may affect the OFC handling process, while ensuring that the OFC handling handbook and relevant materials are up-to-date
• Conduct OFC handling training and refresher courses for concerned FOP and IOC colleagues
• Prepare a budget for relevant cost items

2. Compliance Monitoring

• Ensure CX adheres to relevant standards, guidelines and regulations by monitoring pertinent circulars from the authorities and sharing it with concerned teams and departments for their appropriate actions
• Maintain accurate records of compliance activities, findings, and corrective actions, providing regular reports to management
• Develop the training programs to ensure compliance awareness

3. Flight Operations

• Ensure the integrity of CX‘s operating network by safeguarding access to necessary airspace
• Collaborate with air navigation services providers to enhance operational efficiency and support the Head and Managers in managing applications/variations of the AOC, foreign OPSPEC, and Third Country Operator
• Provide consultative support to Flight Dispatch, IOC, and PLN regarding any operating network issues (24/7)
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Requirements

Knowledge

• Tertiary education preferably in Air Transport Management or related discipline
• Strong understanding of recent developments in the aviation sector, particularly in both regions
• Familiarity with the aviation sector; prior relationships with aviation organizations preferred
• Acute awareness of recent aero-political affairs and flight operations issues

Skills

• Ability to think fast
• Strong analytic and data mining skills
• Good command of written and spoken Chinese and English. Proficiency in Putonghua is mandatory
• Excellent networking and communication skills
• Presentable, work well with others and demonstrated strong influencing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications

Experience

• Minimum 6 years of aviation experience in airline operations or flight operations
• Minimum 3 years of experience in regulatory affairs, government relations and external relations
• Excellent organizational and project management skills are a plus

Personal & Application Information

Cathay Pacific is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with our Applicant Personal Information Collection Statement and for recruitment purposes only. Candidates not notified within eight weeks may consider their application unsuccessful. We keep records of your data for no longer than is necessary for the purpose for which we obtained them and any other permitted linked purposes. If your application is unsuccessful, we will keep your details on file for as long as is necessary to process your application or for the purposes of further job opportunities if you agree to such longer periods.