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Bridge Talent Management
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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