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Chief Operations Officer (Aviation)

Job Type

Full Time

Qualification

BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA

Experience

12 - 15 years

Location

Nairobi

Job Field

Aviation / Aerospace , Engineering / Technical

Key Responsibilities

Flight & Aviation Operations Oversight

• Oversee all flight operations, dispatch, scheduling, and ground handling activities
• Ensure seamless coordination between flight crews, maintenance, and operations teams
• Optimize aircraft utilization and operational efficiency

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with aviation regulatory bodies (e.g., KCAA, ICAO, IATA standards)
• Lead safety management systems (SMS) and enforce a strong safety culture
• Oversee audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting

Fleet Management & Maintenance

• Supervise aircraft maintenance planning and execution to ensure airworthiness
• Work closely with engineering and maintenance teams to minimize downtime
• Support fleet expansion, acquisition, and lifecycle planning

Operational Strategy & Execution

• Translate company strategy into operational plans for aviation services
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery, turnaround times, and cost efficiency
• Implement scalable systems and processes to support business growth

Customer Experience Excellence

• Ensure delivery of premium, seamless, and safe client experiences
• Oversee VIP handling, charter operations, and client service standards
• Address operational issues impacting customer satisfaction

Financial & Cost Control

• Manage operational budgets, including fuel, maintenance, crew, and logistics costs
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising safety or quality
• Monitor profitability of routes, charters, and operations

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead cross-functional teams including flight operations, maintenance, dispatch, and ground staff
• Develop leadership bench strength and succession plans
• Foster a high-performance, accountable, and safety-first culture

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with aviation authorities, airport operators, and service providers
• Liaise with charter clients, corporate partners, and high-net-worth individuals
• Represent operations in executive and board-level discussions.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA is an added advantage)
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in aviation, with at least 5+ years in senior operational leadership
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations (KCAA, ICAO, IATA)
• Proven experience in private aviation, charter services, or airline operations
• Experience managing fleet operations, maintenance, and flight scheduling

Key Competencies

• Deep aviation operational expertise
• Strong understanding of safety and compliance frameworks
• Strategic thinking with execution focus
• Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills

KPIs / Success Metrics

• Safety and compliance record (zero incidents target)
• Aircraft utilization and on-time performance
• Operational cost efficiency (fuel, maintenance, crew)
• Customer satisfaction and service quality
• Regulatory audit outcomes and compliance ratings

• Oversee all flight operations, dispatch, scheduling, and ground handling activities
• Ensure seamless coordination between flight crews, maintenance, and operations teams
• Optimize aircraft utilization and operational efficiency
• Ensure full compliance with aviation regulatory bodies (e.g., KCAA, ICAO, IATA standards)
• Lead safety management systems (SMS) and enforce a strong safety culture
• Oversee audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting
• Supervise aircraft maintenance planning and execution to ensure airworthiness
• Work closely with engineering and maintenance teams to minimize downtime
• Support fleet expansion, acquisition, and lifecycle planning
• Translate company strategy into operational plans for aviation services
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery, turnaround times, and cost efficiency
• Implement scalable systems and processes to support business growth
• Ensure delivery of premium, seamless, and safe client experiences
• Oversee VIP handling, charter operations, and client service standards
• Address operational issues impacting customer satisfaction
• Manage operational budgets, including fuel, maintenance, crew, and logistics costs
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising safety or quality
• Monitor profitability of routes, charters, and operations
• Lead cross-functional teams including flight operations, maintenance, dispatch, and ground staff
• Develop leadership bench strength and succession plans
• Foster a high-performance, accountable, and safety-first culture
• Manage relationships with aviation authorities, airport operators, and service providers
• Liaise with charter clients, corporate partners, and high-net-worth individuals
• Represent operations in executive and board-level discussions.

• Deep aviation operational expertise
• Strong understanding of safety and compliance frameworks
• Strategic thinking with execution focus
• Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA is an added advantage)
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in aviation, with at least 5+ years in senior operational leadership
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations (KCAA, ICAO, IATA)
• Proven experience in private aviation, charter services, or airline operations
• Experience managing fleet operations, maintenance, and flight scheduling