Job Information
Alaska Airlines Director Audit, Quality Assurance in SeaTac, Washington
Company Alaska Airlines
The Team
Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.
Role Summary
The Director, Quality Assurance sets the strategic direction and oversees the execution of Alaska Air Group’s (AAG) operational audit functions, encompassing both the Internal Evaluation Program (IEP). This role leads risk-based audit planning and execution across Alaska Airlines (AS), Hawaiian Airlines (HA), Horizon Air (QX), and McGee Air Services ensuring alignment with regulatory standards, internal safety goals, and continuous improvement initiatives. Reporting to senior leadership and engaging with the Board Safety Committee, the Director drives a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
Key Duties
Define and implement long-term strategies for operational audits, focused on innovation and progressive audit and oversight approaches.
Partner with the Managing Director, Operational Audit and key stakeholders to facilitate risk assessments to support a risk-based audit plan.
Collaborate with Operational and Safety leadership to align audit activities with enterprise safety goals.
Ensure all audits are executed with safety, quality and compliance at the forefront and remains focused on continuous improvement to strengthen the Company’s processes, and controls.
Directs IEP risk assessment, evaluates coverage levels, and ensures a comprehensive annual audit plan based on risk.
Guide teams in delivering high quality audit reports and monitoring dashboards, working closely with company management to collaboratively develop actionable plans to address the root cause of audit findings.
Partner with Safety leadership to support and enhance the Safety Management System (SMS), including data sharing and performance monitoring (i.e., ESRB).
Maintain a strong and transparent relationship with the FAA on SMS performance.
Support external reviews of operating divisions, including partnering with Safety to support the biennial Department of Defense (DOD) and IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) evaluations of AS, QX, and HA.
Support and consult with the Internal Evaluation Program on safety risks through regular updates with Audit Program leadership.
Prepare Audit results / reports for Senior Leaders and the Board Safety Committee.
Lead and develop a high-performing team of audit professionals through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Promote strategic and systems thinking across teams and disciplines.
Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills
Required:
8 years of experience with significant managerial/program oversight in areas such as quality assurance, internal or external audit, safety and compliance, or internal evaluation programs.
5 years of leadership experience, with at least 2 of those years directly leading people.
Bachelor’s Degree, with a focus in business administration, finance, accounting, project management, aviation management, or a related discipline, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of a degree.
Excellent strategic thinking, business risk awareness, and appropriate judgment to use a risk-based approach to understand complex operational processes, develop an accurate understanding of risks, and develop audit plans responsive to those risks.
Participatory and team-oriented leadership style with a proven track record coaching, developing and leading cohesive, results-oriented teams.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and build relationships effectively with all levels of the organization, particularly senior leadership.
Excellent communication skills (e.g., verbal, written, and listening).
Detailed oriented and highly organized, with ability to multi-task and work independently with limited guidance in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Ability to engage with and establish credibility with business partners at the most senior/executive level.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum age of 18.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred:
Experience in the aviation industry in an operational or safety capacity.
SMS or safety program management experience.
Auditor certifications (e.g., CQA, CIA, ISO).
FAA certifications (e.g., Commercial/ATP, A&P, Dispatcher).
MBA or Lean/Six Sigma certification.
Job-Specific Leadership Expectations
Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be kind-hearted, deliver performance, and be remarkable.
High energy, positive, and executive-level presence, along with top-notch written and verbal communication, public speaking, influencing, and motivational skills with the ability to create collaborative relationships that drive outcomes in the best interest of the company, with others in the organization, and with key external business partners.
Proven ability to leverage business acumen and analytic capability to position the organization as a critical business partner.
Ability to engage with and establish credibility with business partners at the most senior/executive level.
Salary Range
$167,050 - $258,950 / year
Salary Details
The pay range and total target compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Horizon employees. Alaska/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.
Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range.
Total Rewards
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.
Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
Generous 401k match program
Quarterly and annual bonus plans
Generous holiday and paid time off
For more information about Alaska/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.
FLSA Status Exempt
Employment Type Full-Time
Regular/Temporary Regular
Requisition Type Management
Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on 7/8/2025
Location Seattle - Corporate HQ
Regulatory Information Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement It is the policy of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.
We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.
We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”). All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.
To implement this policy, we will:
(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories;
(2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and
(3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.
Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA.
Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines or a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn.
A: Y - T1
L: #LI-B
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Job Locations USA-WA-SeaTac
Requisition ID 2025-14758
Category Corporate & Operations
Alaska Airlines
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- Alaska Airlines Jobs
