Director, Decision Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

Porter Airlines

  • Toronto, ON
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 9 days ago
Job Description:Job SummaryThe Director, Decision Intelligence and Emerging Technologies will enable decision intelligence across Porter Airlines by democratizing access to trusted data and fostering a cross-functional Data Community of Practice. Anchored on three pillars—Customer, Revenue, and Operations—this role will drive the strategic use of data, automation, and emerging technologies to deliver measurable business value.This leader will oversee the data platform team, responsible for data enablement including ingestion, engineering, governance, and accessibility, and automation-enablement to streamline processes and increase efficiency. They will partner closely with leaders across the organization to deliver high-impact, insight-driven outcomes that advance operational efficiency, enhance the customer experience, and unlock new revenue opportunities.The Director will also champion innovation by scanning, testing, piloting, and scaling new technologies and automation solutions in a safe, fast, and impactful way. They will guide teams to focus on speed and direction over perfection, embedding agile, data-informed decision-making into day-to-day operations and ensuring that insights are actionable, adoption is widespread, and investments in data, automation and technology maximize value creation.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Strategic Leadership
  • Champion the strategic use of data, automation, and emerging technologies to drive measurable business value across Customer, Revenue, and Operations pillars
  • Lead the cross-functional Data Community of Practice in close partnership with the Executive Sponsor, Data Program fostering collaboration, best practices, and adoption of data-driven decision-making
  • Advocate for speed and direction over perfection, embedding agile and iterative approaches to deliver
  • Data Platform and Automation
  • Oversee the enterprise data platform, ensuring robust ingestion, engineering, governance, accessibility, and quality of data assets
  • Expand enterprise automation capabilities to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and free up capacity for higher-value work
  • Partner with technology teams to ensure data and automation solutions are secure, scalable, and aligned with enterprise architecture
  • Decision Intelligence Enablement
  • Democratize access to trusted data, empowering teams at all levels to make timely, insight-driven decisions
  • Drive the development of reusable data assets, dashboards, and self-service analytics tools
  • Collaborate with business leaders to prioritize and deliver high-impact analytical solutions that improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and optimize revenue streams
  • Emerging Technology Innovation
  • Scan, evaluate, and test new technologies and automation solutions with potential to create competitive advantage
  • Lead pilots and proofs of concept to validate value and scalability before enterprise rollout
  • Promote a culture of innovation through crowdsourcing, brainstorming, hackathons, and innovation sprints to accelerate idea generation and adoption
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
  • Partner with business leaders to align data and emerging technology initiatives with business strategy
  • Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements in all initiatives
  • Establish clear success metrics and track ROI for data, automation, and emerging tech projects
  • Active participation in Porter’s Safety Management System (SMS) including, reporting hazards and incidents encountered in daily operation; understand comply and promote the Company Safety Policy
Behavioural CompetenciesConcern for Safety: Identifying hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate action to maintain a safe environment for self and others.Teamwork: Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals.Passenger/Customer Service: Providing service excellence to internal and/or external customers (passengers).Initiative: Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise.Results Focus: Focusing efforts on achieving high quality results consistent with the organization’s standards.Fostering Communication: Listening and communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with different audiences, promoting dialogue and building consensus.Exemplifying Integrity: Treating others fairly, honestly, and respectfully, furthering the integrity of the organization and its relationships of trust with team members and the broader community.Inspiring Others: Energizing and inspiring others to strive for excellence and commit to common goals and purposes, creating a sense of self-efficacy, resilience, and persistence in followers.People Leadership: Assuming a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results.Leading Change: Recognizing the need for change, being open to new ideas and methods, and championing transformational change within the organization and beyond.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in data management, analytics, automation, emerging technologies, or related domains
  • Proven track record delivering measurable business value through data-driven decision-making, emerging technology adoption, and scaled automation solutions
  • Preference given to candidates with experience establishing data, automation, and innovation functions from the ground up, rather than only delivering within a mature environment
  • Deep understanding of data architecture, engineering, governance, and modern analytics platforms (e.g., cloud data lakes, lakehouses, BI tools)
  • Knowledge of automation technologies and approaches (e.g., RPA, workflow automation, AI/ML integration)
  • Familiarity with agile delivery methods, product/platform operating models, and DevOps practices
  • Strong grasp of emerging technology and automation trends, evaluation methods, and safe experimentation processes
  • Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence without direct authority, and collaborate with senior executives and functional leaders
  • Experience building and leading communities of practice to promote collaboration and adoption of best practices
  • Track record of fostering innovation through techniques like hackathons, crowdsourcing, and rapid prototyping
  • Skilled at balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution to deliver quick wins and long-term impact
  • Exceptional storytelling skills to translate complex data and technology concepts into clear business value propositions
  • Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to gain buy-in from diverse audiences
  • Commitment to embedding speed and direction over perfection, enabling agile, iterative delivery
  • Knowledge of data privacy, security, and regulatory compliance requirements
LocationToronto Downtown Office (250 Yonge Street)#LI-Hybrid
Company DescriptionSince 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves a North American network from Eastern Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Porter Airlines