Transition & Operational Readiness Manager

Transition & Operational Readiness Manager
Impact a better future

At Serco, we bring together the right people, technology, and partners to deliver innovative solutions that impact a better future.

We have been operating in the Middle East since 1947 and have a profound understanding of the region.

With over 4,500 colleagues here, we support governments across defence, space, transport, emergency services, justice and migration, and other vital public services. Our core capabilities span service design and advisory, customer experience, complex programme management, systems integration, and asset and facilities management, alongside environmental and case management services.

Guided by our unique service model, we work together with clients and partners to achieve long-term visions and tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges.

 
Your Opportunity  

The Transition & Operational Readiness Manager will lead the transition, migration, and operational readiness activities for the ATM modernization program, ensuring that all people, operational processes, systems, facilities, suppliers, procedures, safety requirements, and operational capabilities are fully prepared for successful launch, migration, operational cutover, go-live, and entry into service.

The role is responsible for planning, coordinating, governing, and assuring the operational transition of mission-critical ATM/CNS systems and ATC operational environments across primary and contingency facilities while maintaining safe, compliant, and uninterrupted operational continuity within a live airport environment.

Key Accountabilities

Transition & Operational Readiness Leadership

• Develop, implement, and manage the Transition and Operational Readiness Strategy, Roadmap, Governance Framework, and Integrated Readiness Plan across all program phases.

• Lead and coordinate all operational readiness and migration activities associated with ATM operational systems, facilities, operational users, technical teams, and operational stakeholders.

• Ensure all operational readiness activities are aligned with programming milestones, operational requirements, safety obligations, regulatory expectations, and business continuity objectives.

Operational Readiness Planning & Coordination

• Lead readiness planning across:

• ATC Operations

• Engineering & Maintenance

• CNS/ATM Systems

• Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Cybersecurity

• Human Factors

• Training & Competency

• Facilities & Infrastructure

• Technology & Access Management

• Suppliers & Service Providers

• Business Continuity & Contingency Operations

• Define readiness criteria, operational acceptance gates, go/no-go checkpoints, transition dependencies, handover requirements, and operational stabilization activities.

• Ensure operational procedures, staffing plans, escalation routes, maintenance arrangements, system access controls, support models, and operational documentation are fully established before operational cutover.

Migration, Cutover & Operational Transition

• Develop and manage comprehensive Transition and Migration Plans covering operational, technical, safety, procedural, and organizational transition activities.

• Coordinate:

• Operational Trials

• Simulations

• Tabletop Exercises

• Service Rehearsals

• Shadow Operations

• Live Operational Trials

• Cutover Activities

• Contingency & Rollback Planning

• Lead the Operational Readiness Demonstration (ORD) phase to validate operational availability, readiness, resilience, and system reliability prior to go-live.

• Coordinate phased migration activities between operational and contingency ATC facilities with a “Zero Disruption” operational objective.

Risk, Dependency & Readiness Management

• Track and manage readiness actions, risks, dependencies, milestones, blockers, decisions, and operational constraints.

• Identify operational readiness gaps, transition risks, resource limitations, and operational vulnerabilities that may affect program delivery or operational launch.

• Ensure operational risks are mitigated, escalated, and formally resolved prior to operational transition and acceptance.

• Maintain readiness dashboards, action trackers, dependency registers, and executive-level readiness reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Lead coordination and engagement with:

• Operational departments

• Engineering teams

• Safety & Compliance teams

• Cybersecurity specialists

• Human Factors specialists

• Contractors and suppliers

• Airlines and airport operators

• Regulatory authorities

• Senior governance bodies

• Support program governance reviews, operational readiness boards, transition reviews, and executive decision-making forums.

• Coordinate cross-functional operational readiness workshops and stakeholder alignment sessions.

Training, Operational Acceptance & Post Go-Live Support

• Coordinate operational training readiness and “Train-the-Trainer” activities for operational personnel, ATCOs, FDOs, technical staff, and support teams.

• Ensure operational users are fully trained, certified, and operationally ready before go-live.

• Coordinate operational handover and post-go-live stabilization activities.

• Support operational acceptance, transition closure, and operational performance monitoring after launch.

Decision-Making Authority

• Own operational readiness status reporting and readiness assurance activities.

• Recommend Go / No-Go decisions for operational transition, migration, and entry into service.

• Escalate operational blockers, unresolved transition risks, readiness gaps, or safety concerns to program governance forums and executive leadership.

• Authorize readiness closure and operational acceptance activities within delegated authority.

Specific Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in:

• Aviation Management

• Engineering

• Operations Management

• Project Management

• Business Administration

• ATM/CNS

• or related discipline.

• Professional certification in:

• Project Management

• Programme Management

• ORAT

• Operational Readiness

• Change Management

• Business Continuity

• or equivalent is highly desirable.

Required Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in Aviation Operations, Airport Operations, Airline Operations, Air Navigation Services, ATM/CNS operational environments

• Major aviation infrastructure programs

• Operational transition and ORAT activities

• Safety-critical operational environments.

• Proven experience leading:

• Operational readiness programs

• Complex operational transitions

• ATM operational migrations

• Go-live and cutover activities

• Business change programs

• Brownfield operational transitions.

• Experience within live operational airport or ATC environments is highly desirable.

Join Us 

At Serco, we believe there is a place here for everyone. A place where you can bring your authentic self to work every day. Our workplace culture is one that embraces diversity and fosters equity, respect, and belonging for every individual. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and creating an inclusive environment that proudly celebrates the perspectives and backgrounds that each of our employees bring to work every day. 

Join Serco and be part of a values-driven organization that invests in the development and well-being of its employees and offers a rewarding and fulfilling career.

Serco is committed to Equal Employment Opportunities and is committed to ensuring the safety of all of its employees through its Zero Harm initiative. Please visit careers.serco.com for more information.