Fleet Manager

Roles and responsibilities

The Fleet Project Manager is responsible for managing the lifecycle of owned and leased aircraft and engines, ensuring operational efficiency and economic viability. This role involves strategic planning, commercial negotiations, project management for aircraft delivery/redelivery, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Regular reporting to the Head of Engineering is required to track performance, address challenges, and ensure alignment with company objectives.

Responsibilities

Develop asset management strategies for owned and leased aircraft and engines, ensuring optimal operational and economic outcomes throughout the asset's lifecycle. Report regularly to the Head of Engineering on strategy performance and updates.
Formulate and lead commercial strategies and negotiations with OEMs, MROs, and lessors for contract agreements. Keep the Head of Engineering informed on progress and potential challenges.
Develop feasibility studies and manage new project evaluations, ensuring successful execution of key initiatives. Report key findings and recommendations to the Head of Engineering.
Oversee project management for aircraft delivery and redelivery, ensuring thorough planning and execution with a focus on cost-effectiveness, quality, legal compliance, and contract adherence. Ensure suitable MRO slots are secured for redelivery, providing regular status updates to the Head of Engineering.
Update and maintain the Fleet Growth Plan, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure accurate forecasting and fleet capacity planning. Provide updates to the Head of Engineering on the Fleet Growth Plan’s progress.
Manage aircraft delivery/redelivery projects by ensuring work packs are executed according to contracts and SLAs, and that aircraft meet all agreed terms and conditions. Provide comprehensive reports to the Head of Engineering on the status and any risks.
Update the Delivery Plan, ensuring timelines, budgets, and contractual obligations are met for all new aircraft acquisitions. Keep the Head of Engineering informed of any changes or delays, and seek approval as necessary.
Develop and update the Redelivery Plan, ensuring all processes, timelines, and costs related to aircraft redelivery are accurately captured. Ensure adherence to legal and contractual terms and update the Head of Engineering on key milestones and issues.
Coordinate new asset-related projects, developing feasibility studies, processes, and action plans in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Maintain close communication with the Head of Engineering for approvals and decision-making.
Collaborate with internal teams, including Engineering & Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Cabin, and Legal, to finalize delivery/redelivery documentation and contracts, covering cost, risk, legal, penalties, and technical specifications. Keep the Head of Engineering updated on the coordination process.
Define aircraft specifications for purchasing or leasing, in coordination with internal hubs and stakeholders. Obtain approval from the Head of Engineering for all finalized aircraft specifications, ensuring alignment with technical and operational requirements.
Maintain strong relationships with OEMs, lessors, MROs, and vendors to ensure all phases of aircraft delivery and redelivery are properly planned, implemented, and evaluated by the project team. Regularly update the Head of Engineering on relationship management and vendor performance.
Ensure oversight of aircraft production, ensuring that the manufacturing process adheres to agreed specifications and contracts. Oversee inspections at section levels and the Final Assembly Line (FAL), addressing and resolving defects as necessary. Report findings and resolutions to the Head of Engineering.
Evaluate the aircraft production phase, including reviewing Manufacturer Specification Change Notices (MSCNs) and Specification Change Notices (SCNs). Seek approval from the Head of Engineering for any changes or corrective measures, ensuring that decisions protect the company’s interests.
Serve as the primary contact for lessor management on aircraft delivery/redelivery, coordinating manpower needs, and negotiating delivery/redelivery acceptance certifications alongside the Head of Engineering.
Generate reports to track progress or delays in aircraft delivery/redelivery, raising necessary Requests for Changes (RFCs) and Requests for Reworks (RFRs) as per the contract and managing associated costs. Present these reports to the Head of Engineering.
Manage the technical acceptance process for aircraft deliveries and redeliveries, coordinating internal and external stakeholders for smooth transitions. Provide the Head of Engineering with updates on the process and any issues.

Desired candidate profile

• Hold an Engineering Degree (aeronautical, Electrical, Mechanical)
• Project Management certification (PMP)
• Master’s degree is a plus
• More than 6 years’ Engineering experience
• Minimum 3 years in projects management
• Professional knowledge of airworthiness management, aircraft engineering, and airline technical operations.
• Experience with aircraft delivery and redelivery processes and associated lease agreements.
• Strategic Thinking
• Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking
• Leadership
• Decision-Making
• Skilled in negotiating contracts and agreement
• Ownership and Accountability
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Results-Oriented Mindset
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Commercial Awareness
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Monitor aircraft performance pre- and post-delivery, addressing any quality issues with OEMs or lessors, and ensuring preventive measures, replacements, and redesigns are implemented as needed. Assign costs per contractual agreements for short-, medium-, and long-term solutions, and report all performance findings to the Head of Engineering.