Team Leader | Queenstown Tower

About Airways:
Our people manage New Zealand's 30 million square kms of airspace, providing air traffic control, surveillance, communication, flight inspection, mapping, and airspace design services. We work with government, regulatory authorities, airlines, airports, and the general aviation community to ensure pilots, passengers and goods reach their destination - safely. At Airways, our values underpin all that we do. We value Safety, One Airways, Excellence and Success in all that we do.

Our organisation is made up of operational business groups that are supported by governance and corporate services functions. To learn more about our people and organisational structure, check out www.airways.co.nz/about.

About the Role:
In this position, you will be leading a close-knit team of controllers in Queenstown Tower, championing high standards and excellence in training to safely and successfully deliver services to our customers every day.   Whilst this is predominantly a leadership role you will be required to hold a current ATC license.

For those seeking a leadership challenge in aviation, this role is a great fit. A Queenstown Tower validation is essential and must be secured prior to commencing, unless already held.

As a Team Leader, you will represent Airways to our local customers and ensure the Queenstown Tower team remains connected within our business; you will have the ability to communicate across many layers while actively supporting the aims of our company to deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable service.

Key Areas of Focus & Responsibilities:

• Support the Tower Operations Manager to ensure the provision and delivery of safe, compliant, and high-quality Air Traffic Services, in line with regulatory requirements and Airways policies.
• Oversee operational performance to meet both safety standards and customer needs, while championing a strong safety culture and fostering a high-performance team environment.
• Proactively manage training requirements at the Tower, providing timely analysis, advice, and updates on progress or issues as they arise.
• Work collaboratively with the Tower Operations Manager to develop and enhance procedures, systems, work practices, and teamwork within the unit.
• Lead and support transformational change initiatives, driving continuous improvement across ATS operations.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, contributing to strategic business planning and identifying opportunities for future growth.
• Uphold and display professional standards across all operational and non-operational duties.

About You:
To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Extensive Air Traffic Services experience is essential.
• Experience leading and working within teams and have the ability to motivate and lead your team members to achieve goals.
• Excellent ability to relate to Airways customers and identify their needs.
• Willingness to be flexible to meet customer needs, and the ability to think laterally to achieve these.
• Strong planning and organisational skills. 
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to relate to all Airways people, along with excellent written and verbal communications.
• Numerous examples of demonstrating values critical to Airways 
• The capability and willingness to develop your leadership skills even further.
• An Aerodrome Control rating (desirable).

To Apply:
If you are a strategic leader looking for your next challenge at Airways, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your application (CV and Cover Letter) via the job advertisement.

Please note that you must be legally eligible to work in New Zealand to be considered.

Application closing date is 02 July 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 currently hold the Rainbow Tick and NQTick (neurodiversity) and are working towards Gender Tick. We make our recruitment decisions based on the best candidate for the job and therefore encourage applications from diverse candidates. 

Position description Apply now

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