Join to apply for the Chief Cabin Crew role at Vueling Airlines.
Overview
Job purpose: Ensure the comprehensive supervision and management of the entire cabin crew team, overseeing performance and adherence to safety and operational procedures across all bases and regions, in line with company policies and legal frameworks, to achieve operational efficiency, crew development, and high safety standards.
Main Accountabilities
* Foster a performance-driven culture, ensuring that all crew members meet or exceed company expectations.
* Maintain a high level of operational safety and consistency in service delivery across all regions.
* Address performance or behavioural issues within the crew effectively, while ensuring legal compliance and fairness.
* Ensure crew needs are balanced with operational demands, maintaining crew morale while preventing disruptions in service.
* Build a strong leadership team that supports efficient cabin operations across all bases.
* Ensure that all crew members are informed, compliant, and updated on essential operational and safety information.
* Maintain high standards in crew competence while offering fair opportunities for those who struggle to meet requirements.
* Ensure a safe working environment and reduce the number of work related incidents among crew members.
* Foster a culture of recognition and motivation among the crew, increasing overall morale and engagement.
* Ensure a smooth reintegration process and maintain crew morale during extended absences.
* Ensure that cabin crew are appropriately represented and engaged in company and external events.
* Make the department a better place to work.
* Fulfill the mission of the job if it is in the employee's hands.
Main Responsibilities - Tasks
* Supervise and evaluate the performance of cabin crew, setting up performance evaluation systems, regularly reviewing crew performance, and ensuring both positive reinforcement for high performers and corrective measures for underperformers.
* Implement and oversee safety and operational procedures, ensuring that all cabin crew adhere to the latest safety regulations and company policies, coordinating closely with Flight Operations and ensuring compliance across all bases.
* Manage disciplinary procedures in collaboration with Human Resources, overseeing the application of disciplinary actions, ensuring they comply with the legal requirements and labour regulations specific to each country.
* Handle special leave requests and manage crew rosters, authorising special permissions for leave, and ensuring that absences are properly managed to maintain operational continuity.
* Lead the recruitment and appointment of base and duty managers, overseeing the selection and training of base and duty managers, ensuring they align with the company’s strategic goals and are capable of leading their teams effectively.
* Monitor and manage occupational safety and health concerns, collaborating with the Health & Safety department to track work-related accidents and illnesses, ensuring that proper preventive measures are in place and that any issues are swiftly addressed.
* Recognise and reward high-performing crew members, leading the process of nominating crew members for recognition and rewards, ensuring a fair system is in place to highlight exceptional performance.
* Organize and manage the team, promoting their development, teamwork and communication, between their collaborators and the rest of the Company.
Main Relationships
* Human Resources – Collaborate on the management of disciplinary processes, crew performance evaluations, and compliance with local labour laws in different countries.
* Flight Operations (Flight Ops) – Ensure coordination between cabin crew and flight operations, particularly regarding safety procedures and operational updates.
* Health & Safety Department – Monitor and manage crew health concerns, ensuring compliance with occupational health regulations and managing accidents.
* Base Managers and Duty Managers – Directly manage and coordinate with these teams to ensure smooth operations at various bases, managing schedules, performance, and development.
* Service on Board – Collaborate on any procedural updates or changes to in-flight services and ensure they are communicated effectively to the cabin crew.
* Internal and External Communications – Coordinate the involvement of cabin crew in company communications, media appearances, and external events, ensuring alignment with company messaging and image.
* Labour Relations (Indirect) – Begin involving the Chief of Cabin Crew in labour relations as an advisor, particularly in negotiations and assessments of crew concerns.
* Additionally, the Chief of Cabin Crew is in regular contact with crew members during flights and manages the communication and well-being of the entire cabin team.
Education
* 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.
* Cabin Crew Training Certificate approved by relevant aviation authorities (e.g., EASA, FAA) desirable.
Experience
* 8 to 10 years of experience as a cabin crew member is recommended, ensuring that the candidate has a strong operational foundation.
* Prior experience as a Chief Purser is vital to ensure the individual has experience managing a team and dealing with both operational and safety-related aspects.
* Experience in a leadership or supervisory role for at least 1-2 years, ideally as a Base Manager or Duty Manager.
* Experience managing large teams, as the Chief of Cabin Crew must be able to handle the responsibility of managing 2,800+ crew members.
* Experience using communication tools like DocMan and Teams to disseminate operational updates, manage feedback loops, and ensure that cabin crew receive and acknowledge critical information in a timely manner.
* Previous experience in setting up evaluation systems, managing both high performers and underperformers, and implementing development or disciplinary actions is crucial.
* Prior experience managing disciplinary processes is necessary to ensure consistency and fairness, coordinating with Human Resources and ensuring compliance with country-specific labour regulations.
* Experience in labour relations, including advising on negotiations and working with collective bargaining agreements, is a significant asset.
Competencies
* Leadership – Ability to inspire, guide, and manage cabin crew effectively while maintaining high morale and performance under pressure.
* Communication Skills – Strong verbal and non-verbal communication abilities to ensure clear coordination with crew, passengers, and flight deck, even in high-stress situations.
* Crisis Management – Capability to remain calm and take quick, effective decisions in emergency situations, 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
* Englis C1
* Italian and French desirable
Other
* It is essential for the Chief of Cabin Crew to have a formal Cabin Crew License, having served as a Chief Purser (Jefe de Cabina). This is crucial as it provides credibility and operational understanding within the hierarchical structure of the airline, particularly among cabin crew teams. If you don't have it, at VY we can provide you with the course.
* Aviation Safety Regulations and Procedures. This includes keeping up to date with changes in safety protocols and ensuring compliance across all regions and bases where the airline operates.
* Given the increasing involvement of the Chief of Cabin Crew in labour relations, a strong understanding of the collective bargaining agreements (convenios colectivos) and labour laws in countries such as Spain, Italy, and France is essential. This knowledge helps in dealing with crew disciplinary matters, negotiating with unions, and ensuring legal compliance.
* Familiarity with the systems used for managing crew rosters and schedules is necessary to ensure that absences, leaves, and operational needs are effectively balanced.
Location
* Viladecans, Barcelona
Level
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