Chief Operations Officer (aviation)
Bridge Talent Management
Nairobi | Full Time | Consulting
Closing in 1 week from now
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
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