Air Canada logo
Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization
full-timeToronto

Summary

Location

Toronto

Type

full-time

Explore Jobs

About this role

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation.

The Partner, Operational Efficiency & Optimization plays a key role in advancing Air Canada’s enterprise-wide performance strategy. This role is responsible not only for fuel efficiency, but also for supporting broader operational research, optimization initiatives, and productivity improvements across Air Canada and its regional partners.

Working closely with Canadian and Global Airports, Flight Operations, Maintenance, Operations Research, Environmental Affairs, Finance, and regional carriers, the Partner transforms complex data into actionable strategies that improve cost, efficiency, and sustainability. The role blends deep analytical capability with operational execution, enabling programs that deliver measurable financial, environmental, and productivity benefits.

Key Responsibilities:

Fuel Performance & Enterprise Analytics

  • Monitor and analyze fuel consumption, efficiency drivers, and operational trends across all fleets, including regional partners.
  • Identify performance variances and develop targeted corrective actions or optimization plans.
  • Maintain enterprise dashboards, KPIs, and monthly reporting that integrate fuel, efficiency, and productivity indicators.
  • Support forecasting, scenario modelling, and cost-impact analysis as part of broader operational strategy development.

Operational Research & Optimization Initiatives

  • Partner with Operations Research to design and implement optimization solutions (e.g., routing efficiency, network flow improvements, turn performance, aircraft utilization).
  • Lead or contribute to initiatives that improve operational productivity, reduce waste, and strengthen process discipline across the system.
  • Validate and quantify savings—fuel, time, cost, or productivity—to ensure accuracy in financial and ESG accounting.
  • Serve as a subject-matter expert for projects involving analytics-driven decision support tools or emerging operational technologies.

Cross-Functional Strategy & Collaboration

  • Work with Environmental Affairs, Finance, and Strategy to align fuel and productivity outcomes with corporate sustainability, cost, and efficiency targets.
  • Support cross-functional working groups with Flight Operations, Maintenance, Airports, and Regional Partners to deploy best practices, improve engagement, and strengthen operational decision-making.
  • Participate in OEM, vendor, and industry benchmarking to identify new opportunities to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and system reliability.


  • Degree in Engineering, Aviation Management, or a related analytical discipline.
  • 5–8 years of experience in airline operations, fuel management, or performance analysis.
  • Strong data and analytical capability (Excel, Power BI, or equivalent).
  • Understanding of flight operations, aircraft performance, and operational efficiency levers.
  • Proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives and communicate effectively across technical and executive levels.
  • Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest, at the time any offer of employment is made and seeking any required work permits/visas or other authorizations which may be required is the sole responsibility of the candidates applying for this position.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.

Other facts

Tech stack
Fuel Efficiency,Operational Research,Data Analysis,Performance Analysis,Cross-Functional Collaboration,Scenario Modelling,Cost-Impact Analysis,Optimization Solutions,Process Improvement,Sustainability,Financial Accounting,KPI Management,Aircraft Performance,Project Management,Communication Skills,Analytical Capability

About Air Canada

Canada's largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network celebrating its 25thanniversary in 2022, Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 51 airports in Canada, 51 in the United States and 86 internationally. It is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax, which in 2021 gave Air Canada awards for the Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, and an excellence award for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

**

Air Canada est la plus importante société aérienne du Canada, le transporteur national du pays et un membre cofondateur du réseau Star Alliance — le plus vaste regroupement mondial de sociétés aériennes, qui célèbre son 25e anniversaire en 2022. Les lignes passagers régulières d’Air Canada relient sans escale 51 aéroports au Canada, 51 aux États-Unis et 86 sur le reste du globe. En Amérique du Nord, Air Canada constitue le seul transporteur aérien d’envergure internationale offrant une gamme complète de services à détenir la cote quatre étoiles de Skytrax qui, en 2021, lui a décerné les prix Meilleur personnel au sol et à bord en Amérique du Nord, Meilleur personnel au sol et à bord au Canada, Meilleur salon de classe affaires en Amérique du Nord ainsi qu’un Prix d’excellence pour sa gestion de la pandémie de la COVID-19.

Team size: 10,001+ employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Airlines and Aviation
Founding Year: 1937

What you'll do

  • The role involves monitoring fuel consumption and operational trends, developing optimization plans, and supporting broader operational strategies. It also includes collaborating with various departments to enhance efficiency and sustainability across Air Canada.

Ready to join Air Canada?

Take the next step in your career journey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization do at Air Canada?

As a Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization at Air Canada, you will: the role involves monitoring fuel consumption and operational trends, developing optimization plans, and supporting broader operational strategies. It also includes collaborating with various departments to enhance efficiency and sustainability across Air Canada..

Why join Air Canada as a Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization?

Air Canada is a leading Airlines and Aviation company.

Is the Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization position at Air Canada remote?

The Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization position at Air Canada is based in Toronto, Canada. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization position at Air Canada?

You can apply for the Principal, Operational Efficiency and Optimization position at Air Canada directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Air Canada on their website.