Project Specialist, dnata Global Airport Operations

dnata Airport Operations has a dedicated Project Management Office with a diverse team who focus on enhancing the dnata Airport Operations performance by managing complex and critical projects across the business units. We deliver significant business benefits from our services, which go above and beyond strategic Project Management and include process excellence, business improvement and performance, lean, technology implementation, change management and consulting services.

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about contributing to the future success of dnata Airport Operations. As a Project Specialist, your role will vary depending on the nature of the activity and will include supporting and/or managing projects across the Passenger and Baggage journeys, as well as the Aircraft Turnaround process. 

This role is based full-time in our Dubai office, but flexibility to travel will be required.

In this role, you will:

• Lead/Manage several business and / or technology projects across dnata’s Global Airport Operations in compliance with best practices and latest standards defined by departmental and corporate PMO guidelines.


• Deliver projects and other initiatives aligned to organisational goals and strategy.


• Ensure project delivery within agreed scope, costs and timeline.


• Facilitate effective and proactive management of key internal and external stakeholders, driving confidence and transparency, facilitating regular updates and discussions on the impact of the projects on their respective businesses.


• Assess the impact of change, risks and interdependencies and developing tailored project plans, approaches and aligning these with the respective stakeholders’ expectations.


• Support with the planning and forecasting of project budgets, developing business cases and monitoring budget spent and benefits realisation throughout project implementation.


• Identify, support and deliver business process improvement opportunities and facilitating subsequent change management activities.


• Act as an SME to drive solutions to problems as well as supporting, coaching and developing others across the business. Areas of expertise might include, but not limited to, Project Management, Lean 6 sigma, operational excellence, technology.


• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs), collecting and analysing data to derive actionable insights to measure the success of business initiatives.

To enable this, potential candidates should exhibit ability that adds real and demonstrable value to their business and projects. You should be a creative, enthusiastic, adaptable and flexible individual, who is also a great team player, can inspire those around and is excited about challenging status quo.

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:

• Bachelors Degree or Honours and 5+ years practical experience working within airport operations – passenger, baggage, or aircraft turnaround / ramp operations.


• Experience in project management, business improvement, or productivity management consultancy, or technology.


• Ability to quickly grasp new business concepts, understand organizational issues and challenges and understand dependencies across businesses.


• Proven experience in project management, process improvement, analytics, change management, and strategy development.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information.

You’ll have an edge if you have:

• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or change management.