Chief of Cabin Crew
Vueling invites experienced aviation professionals to join its team in a pivotal leadership role. As Europe's first Top Employer airline and a leading low-cost carrier with significant presence in Spain, France, and Italy, Vueling is committed to fostering a culture where individuals are empowered to excel, collaborate, and achieve shared goals. The airline values unique strengths, teamwork, and continuous improvement, ensuring its team of passionate professionals supports and complements each other's skills to go one step further and do it better.
Job Purpose
The Chief of Cabin Crew is responsible for the comprehensive supervision and strategic management of the entire cabin crew team. This role oversees performance and ensures stringent adherence to safety and operational procedures across all Vueling bases and regions. Operating within company policies and legal frameworks, the Chief of Cabin Crew drives operational efficiency, supports crew development, and maintains the highest safety standards within the cabin operations department.
Main Accountabilities
- Cultivate and sustain a performance-driven culture, ensuring all cabin crew members consistently meet or exceed company expectations.
- Uphold an exceptional level of operational safety and consistency in service delivery across all geographical regions.
- Effectively address and resolve performance or behavioural issues within the cabin crew, ensuring legal compliance, fairness, and consistent application of company policies.
- Strategically balance crew needs with operational demands, preserving crew morale while preventing disruptions to service quality.
- Develop and lead a robust leadership team capable of supporting efficient cabin operations across all Vueling bases.
- Ensure all cabin crew members are thoroughly informed, compliant with, and updated on essential operational and safety information.
- Maintain rigorous standards in crew competence, while providing equitable opportunities for development and improvement to those requiring additional support.
- Champion a safe working environment, actively working to minimise work-related incidents and promote crew well-being.
- Foster a vibrant culture of recognition and motivation among the crew, enhancing overall morale and engagement.
- Oversee a seamless reintegration process for crew members returning from extended absences, ensuring sustained morale and operational readiness.
- Ensure appropriate representation and active engagement of cabin crew in internal company initiatives and external events.
- Champion a supportive, positive, and empowering work environment within the cabin crew department.
Main Responsibilities and Tasks
- Supervise and evaluate cabin crew performance through robust evaluation systems, providing regular feedback, reinforcing high performance, and implementing corrective measures where necessary.
- Implement and rigorously oversee safety and operational procedures, ensuring all cabin crew adhere to the latest safety regulations and company policies in close coordination with Flight Operations.
- Manage disciplinary procedures in collaboration with Human Resources, ensuring all actions comply with relevant legal requirements and labour regulations across operating countries.
- Authorise and manage special leave requests and crew rosters, ensuring absences are efficiently managed to maintain operational continuity.
- Lead the recruitment, selection, and training of Base and Duty Managers, ensuring their alignment with Vueling's strategic goals and their capability to effectively lead their respective teams.
- Monitor and manage occupational safety and health concerns in collaboration with the Health & Safety department, tracking work-related incidents and implementing preventive measures.
- Lead the recognition and rewards process for high-performing crew members, establishing a fair and transparent system to acknowledge exceptional contributions.
- Organise and manage the cabin crew team, actively promoting their professional development, fostering teamwork, and enhancing communication channels within the department and across the company.
Main Relationships
- Human Resources: Collaborate on disciplinary processes, performance evaluations, and compliance with local labour laws.
- Flight Operations (Flight Ops): Ensure seamless coordination on safety procedures and operational updates.
- Health & Safety Department: Monitor crew health, ensure occupational health compliance, and manage incidents.
- Base Managers and Duty Managers: Direct management and coordination for smooth base operations, scheduling, performance, and development.
- Service on Board: Collaborate on in-flight service updates and ensure effective communication to cabin crew.
- Internal and External Communications: Coordinate cabin crew involvement in company communications, media, and external events.
- Labour Relations: Act as an advisor, particularly in negotiations and assessments of crew concerns.
- Regular direct contact with crew members to manage communication and ensure the well-being of the entire cabin team.
Education
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Tourism, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
- Additional certifications in Aviation, Hospitality, or Tourism Management are a strong asset.
- A Cabin Crew Training Certificate approved by relevant aviation authorities (e.g., EASA, FAA) is desirable.
Experience
- 8 to 10 years of experience as a cabin crew member, providing a robust operational foundation.
- Vital prior experience as a Chief Purser (Jefe de Cabina), demonstrating proven team management capabilities and expertise in both operational and safety aspects.
- Required experience of at least 1-2 years in a leadership or supervisory role, ideally as a Base Manager or Duty Manager, encompassing day-to-day operations, performance evaluations, and disciplinary management.
- Extensive experience in managing large teams (2,800+ crew members), with previous experience in managing teams of a similar scale being a significant advantage.
- Proficiency in using communication tools such as DocMan and Teams for disseminating operational updates, managing feedback, and ensuring timely acknowledgment of critical information by cabin crew.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing performance evaluation systems, managing both high-performing and underperforming individuals, and applying effective development or disciplinary actions.
- Proven experience in managing disciplinary processes, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance with country-specific labour regulations in coordination with Human Resources.
- Strong understanding and experience in ensuring consistent safety standards across all bases and monitoring occupational health and safety, including tracking work-related accidents and incidents.
- Experience in labour relations, union negotiations, or working with collective bargaining agreements is a significant asset, given the role's increasing involvement in this area.
Competencies
- Leadership: Ability to inspire, guide, and manage cabin crew effectively, maintaining high morale and performance under pressure.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and non-verbal communication abilities for clear coordination with crew, passengers, and flight deck, even in high-stress situations.
- Crisis Management: Capability to remain calm, make quick, effective decisions in emergencies, ensuring passenger safety and compliance with aviation protocols.
- Customer Service Orientation: Commitment to delivering an exceptional passenger experience, anticipating needs, and resolving issues professionally and empathetically.
Languages
- Spanish: C1 proficiency
- English: C1 proficiency
- Italian and French: Desirable
Other Essential Requirements
- A formal Cabin Crew License, having served as a Chief Purser (Jefe de Cabina), is essential for credibility and operational understanding. Candidates lacking this specific certification may be considered, with Vueling offering comprehensive training to suitable applicants.
- Profound knowledge of Aviation Safety Regulations and Procedures, with a commitment to staying updated on changes and ensuring compliance across all operating regions and bases.
- A strong understanding of collective bargaining agreements (convenios colectivos) and labour laws in key operating countries such as Spain, Italy, and France, crucial for managing crew disciplinary matters and labour relations.
- Familiarity with systems used for managing crew rosters and schedules to effectively balance absences, leave requests, and operational needs.
Location