Head - Fleet Development at Kenya Airways

Brief Description        

Responsible for the management of the process to acquire and dispose of aircraft to meet the airline’s strategic fleet plan. The role holder will maintain and develop the relationships with leasing companies and manufacturers, lead the teams carrying our analysis of new aircraft and new engine types, manage the negotiation of commercial terms on the acquisition and disposal and manage the entry into service of aircraft into the airline’s fleet. The role holder will be responsible for the life cycle management (or lease cycle management as applicable) of the aircraft in the fleet with a view to preserving maximum asset value. This will include ensuring the aircraft documents and records are maintained to an acceptable international standard, managing the documented configuration of each aircraft and governing the management of aircraft maintenance reserves from lease agreement negotiation to redelivery. The role holder will manage the process of cabin refurbishment and replacement processes within the fleet. The role holder will be the primary point of contact in communication with leasing companies and manufacturers.

Detailed Description        

A breakdown of the Head - Fleet Developments role is as below; 

• Develop with Strategy and Network planning the strategic fleet plan 
• To source and acquire aircraft for the Kenya Airways fleet to meet the strategic fleet plan. 
• Negotiate aircraft and engine purchase and lease agreements. 
• Seek Board approval for acquisition of each aircraft. 
• Responsibility over the Configuration, Initial Provisioning, Training and organisational preparedness for Entry Into Service of new aircraft. 
• Primary Power of Attorney to accept aircraft during aircraft Deliveries 
• Responsible for the smooth Entry into Service of new aircraft up to and including sign-off that the aircraft is ready for its first commercial flight. 
• Programme management of the Introduction into service of all new aircraft type. The Programme Manager will create requisite projects to manage the set up of; o infrastructure, o business processes, o training and o organizational preparedness 
• To coordinate the disposal of aircraft from the fleet by lease return, sale or conversion to freighter as appropriate. 
• Accountable to the Fleet Steering Group meetings (chaired by DOO) for aircraft acquisition. Principal Accountabilities (KEY Performance areas): Area Accountability (Responsibility) Sourcing and Acquisition 
• Analysis – Generate commercial, financial and technical analysis to support aircraft and engine acquisition recommendation to the business leadership to meet the strategic fleet plan. 
• Contract Negotiation - Primary negotiator for aircraft and engine lease terms including maintenance reserve rates. Coordinate other relevant departments for input e.g. financing, insurance, legal, technical etc. 
• Board Papers – Business cases for aircraft acquisition for Board approval. Managing Teams 
• Manage the Fleet Development Project Managers in order to achieve satisfactory and smooth Entry Into Service (EIS) of the aircraft. This includes achievement of the following according to agreed budget and timelines: 
• Aircraft Specification & Configuration. o Initial Provisioning of aircraft spares, tools and equipment required for operations of the aircraft. 
• Training for pilots, engineers, cabin crew and other staff. 
• Primary Power of Attorney for aircraft inspection and acceptance. 
• Handover of aircraft to Operations Control Centre for first Commercial flight. 
• Set up and management of the New Aircraft Introduction programme teams and project management offices to manage the Entry Into Service of new aircraft types. 
• Manage the project teams for fleet wide cabin refurbishment. Aircraft Life Cycle Management 
• Manage the audit of aircraft documents and records to ensure they are maintained complete, accurate and accessible in line with an acceptable international standard. 
• Configuration Management of each aircraft in the fleet to ensure completion, accuracy and timely updates to the documented configuration documents. 
• Governance of Maintenance Reserves – annual escalation reconciliation, coordination of annual Letter of Credit adjustment, negotiation of revised rates etc. Communication Reporting & Documentation 
• Prepare and present aircraft acquisition business cases to the business leadership. 
• Prepare Board papers for aircraft acquisition. 
• Timely escalation to management of risks and issues related to aircraft transactions Disposal of Aircrafts 
• Manage the exit of aircraft from the passenger fleet through lease return projects 
• Manage the process of sale of aircraft owned by Kenya Airways Relationship Management 
• Maintain cordial relationship with aircraft manufacturers and lessors 
• Manage and communicate effectively with aircraft manufacturers, suppliers and lessors as the first point of contact

Job Requirements        

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Qualification (Minimum) 

• University Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aeronautical, Electrical/Electronics, Mechatronics or equivalent), Finance or Law with first class honours or upper second class honours. 
• Post graduate qualification an added advantage.

 Additional Qualifications (Technical) 

• Understanding of Project Management methodology 
• Inter-departmental knowledge and liaison 
• Understanding of aircraft procurement process 
• Understanding of basic legal and contract precepts 
• Understanding of aviation financing precepts 

Working knowledge of current airworthiness regulations Years of Experience (Minimum) 

• Over 7 years of work experience 
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the airline industry 
• Demonstrable experience managing aircraft acquisition or disposal projects 
• Minimum 4 years of aircraft delivery/re-delivery experience Technical Competencies 
• Demonstrated knowledge in managing complex projects. 
• Knowledge of Kenya Airways procedures 
• Must be able to analyze, forecast and challenge logic of events 
• Commercial awareness / Financial Management 
• Knowledge of computer systems in use Kenya Airways 
• Influencing & Management skills 
• Negotiation skills to benefit the company 
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) 
• Familiar with aircraft configuration and delivery requirements