Simone Kennedy

Aviation & Transport Senior Leader| People, Safety & Results Driven| Operational Excellence & Transformation| Strategy & Planning| Customer Experience & Innovation| Stakeholder Engagement| Commercial Contract Management

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

About

An Aviation and Transport Industry Senior Leader with deep and diverse operational and business transformation experience. A people first Leader who thinks laterally across the business, is passionate about fostering collaboration and driving innovation within dynamic teams. A reputation for balancing multiple responsibilities, in often challenging circumstances, with an ability to prioritise tasks to put people and safety first while being responsive and flexible to the ever changing dynamics of an operational environment.

Experience

  • Manager, Rolling Stock Support Services at Yarra Trams
    May 2023 - May 2025 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    As a key senior leader in the Rolling Stock business unit, I was responsible for leading and managing the Rolling Stock (RS) Support Services Team, my accountability encompassed five areas/teams: Safety and Quality Assurance, Training and Reporting, Document Control and Technical Writing, Maintenance Planning (Reactive, Planned and Heavy Maintenance) and Calibration of RS Tools.

  • Aviation Interface Manager at Brisbane Airport Corporation
    Apr 2022 - Jul 2022 · 4 mos

    The lead for managing aviation capacity and managing the airports ability to deliver aviation capacity in line with, or ahead of airline demand, through the development of strategic aviation activities, supporting operations optimisation and managing the capacity impacts of the aviation business capital expenditure program.

  • Project Team Jet Operations - Airports at Regional Express (Rex)
    Aug 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 2 mos

    In line with strategic objectives, I was responsible for ensuring the current national operational footprint was optimised in terms of quality and efficiency to ensure continued success and operational growth was achieved. My role was accountable to review, assess and drive continuous improvements and operational strategy to enhance the current platform to set the foundation for ongoing success with both the B737 and SAAB 340 operations. This was a full scope role across Airport operations including customer experience, digital and technology, formal RFP process lead for Airports, commercial negotiations, management of contracts and procurement:- * Ground Handling (commercial negotiations and management of contracts,) * Ground Service Equipment (commercial negotiations, procurement and management of contracts,) * Airport Corporations (commercial negotiations and infrastructure planning,) * Airport Services Policy, Procedures and Training (review of manuals and operational procedures,) * Cargo (commercial negotiations,) * eCommerce and Passenger Management Solutions (co-management of contract, implementation management,) * New port start-up/Implementation, * Operational input into the network strategy/scheduling, * B737 Charter operations, * Post implementation Airport operation audits/reviews and * Airports Team Recruitment

  • Terminal 1 Delivery Manager (Contract Position) at Melbourne Airport
    May 2019 - Oct 2019 · 6 mos

    As the Terminal 1 Delivery Manager I was responsible for designing, managing, coordinating and implementing a companywide transformation plan for Terminal 1, under a new commercial contract. This included defining current and future state operating models, roadmaps and a gap analysis for the transformation implementation and a post go live review. I worked closely with the Qantas team to transition the terminal into normal BAU operations for APAM, with APAM processes and procedures into Qantas BAU operations. Effectively engaging with a significant and diverse range of stakeholders; working across multiple business units, to ensure a measured approach was taken with business leaders and the Terminal 1 transition team members to ensure a compliant, safe and seamless transition. I supported the Head of Operations to ensure all safety, financial, corporate governance, infrastructure and operational elements were covered.

  • Aviation Consultant at Self-employed
    Mar 2018 - Apr 2019 · 1 yr 2 mos

    A results oriented Aviation Professional with over 20 years experience in the management of airport operations, airport projects, logistics, project delivery and relationship management. Proven abilities in: - Management of airport/aviation operations - Working with government and regulatory authorities ensuring legislative requirements are met - Management of safety and legislative requirements in an aviation/airport environment - Programme and project management in an operational environment - Management of airport infrastructure projects and delivery - Development and implementation of key operational policy and strategies - Management of relationships with internal and external stakeholders - People management and customer service delivery - Management of service level agreements and contract delivery - Provide guidance and recommendations on Airline check-in systems, both DCS and reservations - Introduction of self service initiatives to compliment operational needs/requirements - Provide training documentation on policy and process as per regulatory requirements - Manual writing, SOP's - Ground Service Equipment requirements - Commercial negotiations