GM Air Traffic Services
About Airways
Airways is New Zealand’s air navigation service provider, responsible for managing one of the largest airspaces in the world. From 17 control towers, two operating centres and technical bases across the country, Airways delivers modern, reliable air traffic management services and maintains the infrastructure that supports the safe and efficient movement of aircraft across our skies. Airways is a State-Owned Enterprise and a key player in the aviation industry.
Airways is part way through its 'Safe Skies Today and Tomorrow' strategy focussed on shaping and building the capabilities and foundations that will support its future.
About the role
The role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure customers consistently receive high-quality services that enable safe, efficient and resilient aviation operations. The role balances operational excellence, customer value, workforce sustainability, regulatory compliance and long-term organisational success so that Airways remains well positioned to meet the future needs of the aviation sector.
The GM ATS is accountable for defining and executing the strategic direction of Air Traffic Services, ensuring the function remains safe, sustainable, customer-focused and aligned with Airways' long-term objectives. This includes leading transformational change that lifts organisational performance and creating an environment where people, teams and leaders can perform at their best.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the GM ATS also contributes to enterprise strategy, leadership development and industry influence beyond the ATS portfolio, building trusted, long-term relationships that strengthen Airways' performance and its reputation as a customer-focused air navigation service provider.
Key competencies include:
- Significant senior leadership experience in large, complex 24/7 operational environments such as aviation, transport, infrastructure or defence, with accountability for safety, people, performance and financial outcomes;
- Demonstrated success leading organisational, operational or technological transformation;
- Proven ability to lead leaders, build organisational capability and develop succession depth;
- Experience contributing to enterprise strategy, executive decision-making and engaging effectively with regulators, customers, government agencies, industry bodies and other key stakeholders;
- Substantial experience operating within highly regulated, safety-critical environments, with knowledge of aviation regulation, safety management systems and air navigation service provision.
This is a rare opportunity to lead the operational heart of New Zealand’s aviation system; keeping our skies safe today while shaping how air navigation services are delivered for the decades ahead.
How to apply
Airways is working alongside executive search firm Kerridge & Partners on the appointment of the GM Air Traffic Services.
If you are interested in a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Ben Keall on ben.keall@kerridgepartners.com or +64 9 969 9900.
This role will require the successful candidate to undergo pre-employment background checks including references, drug and alcohol screening, criminal conviction, and related checks.
Application closing date is Monday, 21 September 2026.
At Airways, our people are at the heart of what we do to keep NZ skies safe. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where people feel they belong and can bring their whole self to work. We make our recruitment decisions based on the best candidate for the job and encourage applications from diverse candidates. We are proud to hold both Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick accreditations.
