Senior Manager, Network Operations

Job description

### **Company Introduction:** [Airspace](http://airspace.com) is a tech-enabled freight forwarder that’s redefining how the world’s most critical packages are delivered. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Airspace has employees who are based around the world. Our European headquarters is in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. As a recognized leader in AI and machine learning, our team leverages data and patented technology to coordinate logistics across a global network of drivers and airlines. Our goal is to deliver those packages that are truly mission-critical in a way that is faster, more transparent, more secure, and more accountable than ever before. The items we deliver range from organs for transplant, to parts for critical machinery including grounded aircraft and highly sensitive components such as semiconductors. Airspace has been rated one of [America’s best Startup Employers](https://www.forbes.com/lists/americas-best-startup-employers/?sh=430441b22ad7) and listed as one of [CNBC’s Disruptor 50](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/17/airspace-disruptor-50.html) companies. Airspace has the support of leading investors such as Telstra Ventures, HarbourVest Partners, Defy Partners, DBL Partners, and Scale Ventures. To date the company has [raised more than $140m.](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/25/early-tesla-investor-leads-70-million-investment-in-airspace.html) The company is growing rapidly and serving more places around the world than ever before. We are looking for passionate, motivated individuals who want to make an IMPACT every day to help us execute on our mission of reshaping the world of time-critical logistics. ### Own Consistent Execution Across the Network You manage two different kinds of leaders. Four Regional Network Managers each own the complete supply picture in their geography, drivers and agents alike, and are accountable for their region’s overall health. Two Agent Leads each own agent-specific execution, onboarding, performance conversations, and (jointly with you and Procurement) deactivation, across two regions apiece. Your job is to make sure standards, tooling, and escalation protocols work the same way across all six of them, and that friction between the RNM and Agent Lead structure never becomes the network’s problem. This role sits at an intersection that’s new to the org: RNMs are accountable for outcomes they don’t personally execute on the agent side, and Agent Leads execute without owning the region they’re executing in. When that split works, neither side notices the seam. When it doesn’t, that’s yours to fix. The most predictable version of this: an Agent Lead covers two regions, and both RNMs need their attention at once. That’s not a rare edge case, it’s a structural feature of the dotted-line model, and the default answer is you decide the priority when the two RNMs can’t work it out themselves. You are also one of three required parties, alongside the relevant Agent Lead and Procurement, on every agent deactivation decision. This isn’t a rubber stamp: a deactivation has real consequences for regional coverage, and someone with visibility across all four regions needs to be in that decision, not just the person closest to it. ### ### **What You’ll Do** **Manage the Regional Network Manager and Agent Lead Teams** - Directly manage the four Regional Network Managers, owning cross-regional consistency in performance standards, tooling, and escalation protocols - Directly manage the two Agent Leads, making sure the two-region split is working, workload is balanced, and agent execution is consistent across all four regions - Coach and develop both groups differently — RNMs need broad, general-manager judgment across a full region; Agent Leads need deep, specific judgment on agent performance and the harder conversations that come with it - Resolve misalignment between an RNM and the Agent Lead covering their region before it becomes the network’s problem - Own prioritization when the two RNMs sharing an Agent Lead both need their attention at the same time — this is a structural, recurring tension with the dotted-line model, not an occasional exception, and the default is that you decide when the RNMs can’t resolve it between **Own Agent Deactivation Decisions** - Serve as one of three required parties, with the Agent Lead and Procurement, on every agent deactivation decision, bringing the cross-regional and operational perspective an individual Agent Lead may not have - Ensure deactivation decisions are documented consistently and held to the same standard across all four regions, not decided differently region by region - Escalate to the VP only when a deactivation carries strategic or account-level risk beyond the region it affects **Serve as the Operational Escalation Point** - Serve as the escalation point for Regional Network Managers on cross-regional issues or decisions that exceed their authority - Serve as the escalation point for Agent Leads on issues that cut across more than one region or require senior management-level judgment - Stay aligned with the Senior Manager of Network Enablement so recruiting pipelines and training programs reflect regional demand across all four regions. **Partner on Strategic and Cross-Functional Work** - Partner with the VP on capacity planning, org design, and strategic initiatives for Network Operations - Partner with the Director, US Network Solutions during the build phase of new strategic accounts or capabilities, representing what RNMs and Agent Leads actually need to execute cleanly once something is handed off — a bad handoff is a failure regardless of how good the deal was - Coordinate with the Lead, US Network Strategy & Operations so the data and scorecard methodology RNMs and Agent Leads depend on is consistent and trustworthy across the network ### **Requirements** - 2-5+ years of experience in network operations, field operations, or multi-site operations leadership, with people-management experience across more than one function or team type - Experience managing managers, not just individual contributors — comfortable coaching leaders who each own a full geography as well as leaders who own a specialized, narrower function - Comfortable being one of three decision-makers on a consequential call rather than the sole decision-maker — shares authority well without diluting accountability - Comfortable making a fast, sometimes unpopular prioritization call between two peers who each think their need is more urgent — this happens routinely with a shared Agent Lead, and defaulting to indecision or letting it resolve itself is not an option - Strong operational judgment — you can tell the difference between a regional issue that should stay with the RNM and a cross-regional issue that genuinely needs senior management-level intervention - Experience partnering with a strategic or business-development-style function receiving handoffs of new capabilities or accounts, and translating them into operational reality on the ground - Clear, direct communicator, comfortable resolving disagreements between peers who report to you and who may see a shared problem differently - Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent practical experience ### **Success Metrics** **2026** Performance standards, tooling, and escalation protocols are consistent across all four regions. RNMs and Agent Leads report a clear, well-functioning working relationship with each other, not friction that routes to you by default. Agent deactivation decisions are documented consistently and held to the same bar across all four regions. Handoffs from Network Solutions land cleanly, RNMs and Agent Leads report feeling equipped, not blindsided, by new capabilities or accounts. **2027** The RNM and Agent Lead structure is running with enough maturity that it no longer requires your active mediation to function well. Cross-regional consistency in standards and quality is measurably improved. You are spending more time on capacity planning and strategic partnership with the VP and Network Solutions than on resolving day-to-day friction between your direct reports. ### **Your First 90 Days** Build individual working relationships with all four Regional Network Managers and both Agent Leads. Get fluent in how the RNM and Agent Lead structure is actually working today, where the seams are clean and where they’re not. Sit in on at least one agent deactivation decision to understand how that three-way call is functioning in practice. Build a working relationship with the Director, US Network Solutions and the Lead, US Network Strategy & Operations. ### **Your First 180 Days** Performance standards and escalation protocols are consistent and well understood across all six direct reports. You have a track record on agent deactivation decisions that RNMs, Agent Leads, and Procurement trust. At least one Network Solutions handoff has gone through cleanly with your involvement from early in the build. The VP sees you as the person keeping regional execution consistent, not just the person four RNMs happen to report to. ### **Job Info** - Department: Network - Reports to: VP, US Network - Location: Remote (U.S.), with periodic travel to support regions and cross-functional handoffs - Direct reports: 4 Regional Network Managers, 2 Agent Leads (6 total) ### ### **Compensation** - Salary range: $115K - $125K - High-quality health, dental, and vision plan options - Open PTO - 401K with company match ### **Core Values:** - **We are One Team**. We believe we all accomplish more when we are working together. - **We make an Impact**. We are determined to have a positive influence on our environment, our customers, our industry, and our world. - **We are Passionate**. We care deeply about our mission and are not afraid to raise the bar. - **We are Transparent**. We pride ourselves on having open, honest, and sincere communication with our team and customers. - **We are Innovative**. We never settle and are always striving to improve our product, service, and ourselves. **Airspace is proud** to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Additionally, Airspace participates in the E-Verify program for all locations. **A friendly reminder:** Airspace will only contact candidates from an **@airspace.com** email, a no-reply notification from **no-reply@us.greenhouse-mail.io**, or a verified **LinkedIn profile.** We never request fees or sensitive personal/financial information during recruiting. If something seems suspicious or feels off, please reach out to us at [**recruiting@airspace.com**](mailto:recruiting@airspace.com) before responding. *For this role the acquisition of recruitment agencies is not appreciated, thank you for your understanding.*