United Airlines | Pilot

Analyst, Pilot Workforce Planning (Aviation Staffing & Forecasting)

Career Overview and Organizational Focus

The organization is committed to supporting professional development, offering robust career growth paths, access to top-tier health and wellness benefits, and extensive global travel opportunities via its expansive route network. Joining this leading airline provides the chance to build lasting connections with colleagues and customers while defining the future of global aviation.

The Flight Operations Team

A career at the leading edge of the airline industry awaits. The Flight Operations team is instrumental in connecting people and uniting the world safely, reliably, and efficiently every day. This department maintains industry leadership through pioneering technologies and next-level training, responsible for hiring, training, qualifying, and supporting the industry's premier pilots. The shared moments in the air and on the ground foster a unique work environment and ensure a superior travel experience.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

The Analyst for Pilot Workforce Planning plays a critical, central role in strategic staffing. This individual will create, maintain, and communicate the comprehensive pilot staffing plan for the organization. Key responsibilities include contributing to the annual budget plan for Flight Operations, conducting monthly reforecasts based on updates from Flight Training Center business partners, and ensuring long-term plan accuracy by meticulously capturing all inputs. The Analyst also participates in the development of the Annual Pilot Vacation plan. Beyond numerical inputs, this position requires clear communication of the staffing plan narrative to the internal Crew Planning team as each monthly plan is executed.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

• Maintains various demand and supply forecasts essential for long-term pilot workforce planning models, specifically managing staffing changes with the Flight Training Center (FTC) and analyzing vacation demand distributions.
• Demonstrates absolute ownership of inputs, assumptions, calculations, and outputs within a dynamic, high-velocity environment.
• Serves as the internal liaison with the Crew Planning team for the successful transition from the long-term forecast to the actual monthly build, setting clear expectations and proactively identifying potential gaps that materialize during the monthly planning cycle.
• Performs advanced ad hoc analysis for "what-if" scenarios (e.g., impact of a new pilot contract, adjustments to aircraft deliveries, or new training requirements), including developing complex models, executing detailed data analysis, and constructing professional presentations.
• Ensures continuous accuracy in forecast models and actively seeks opportunities for process improvement and optimization.
• Supports the development of strategic plan presentations tailored for senior leadership and key internal stakeholders.
• As business requirements evolve, assists in developing and integrating new forecasts to seamlessly feed into the long-term workforce plan.

Qualifications and Expertise

Minimum Qualifications Required

• A Bachelor's degree, or four years of equivalent relevant professional experience, in a field such as Aviation/Aeronautics, Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Statistics, Operations Research, Engineering, Business, Computer Science, or Logistics/Transportation.
• One to two years of professional experience in a related analytical or planning role.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, coupled with strong capabilities in data analysis, querying, and financial/staffing modeling.
• Proven leadership potential, strong communication skills, and expertise in presentation development.
• Possesses intellectual curiosity and self-motivation to heed signals within data, seeking to understand root causes and glean actionable insights from that analysis.
• A demonstrated track record of using rigorous data analysis to evaluate anecdotal hypotheses or abstract concepts.
• Strong verbal communication skills and highly proficient visual communication abilities utilizing mediums such as dashboards and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications (Differentiating Expertise)

• A background in Industrial Engineering.
• Previous experience in Workforce Planning, Crew Planning, Network Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), or Strategic Planning/Corporate Development within the aviation or transportation sector.
• Proficiency or experience with programming languages.

Compensation, Benefits, and Equal Opportunity

The base salary range for this Analyst role is typically $64,885.00 to $84,514.00 annually. The specific base salary or hourly rate offered is dependent upon job-related factors including experience, education, and acquired skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

Employees may be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability coverage, parental leave, an employee assistance program, commuter benefits, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) retirement plans, and highly valued flight privileges.

This organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating, and promoting individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, or other protected status as mandated by applicable law. The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.

The organization is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the job application, interview process, and essential job functions.