Senior Manager - Fleet Operations

Job description / Role

Synopsis

Reporting directly to the VP, Fleet Planning, the Senior Manager Fleet Operations is accountable to lead several company-wide activities to ensure seamless service entry project management for new fleet types or new header versions, and provide technical fleet planning expertise to the Department. The remit of this function spans from conclusion of the initial Design Phase until Aircraft Delivery and requires managing the implementation of time-sensitive, commercially critical, fleet related initiatives which effectively control costs whilst improving performance and profitability.

Accountabilities

• Lead cross-departmental project groups to identify new aircraft requirements (incl LOPA, Head of Version) ensuring optimization of profitability and satisfaction of multiple complex requirements (e.g. passenger and cargo capacity, network requirements, aircraft performance, operations, finance, marketing and technical).
• Analyse Fleet, Technical, Operational, Product, IT and Financial requirements along with divisional stakeholders to define an agreed EIS roadmap to ensure a smooth entry into service of new aircraft deliveries, and manage implementation of this whilst providing full advanced transparency over Programme deadlines and risks.
• Align external third-party deliverables with internal expectations of what is reasonable, and ensure items requiring escalation are handled accordingly
• Integrate global industry best practises utilising experience from recent airline new fleet EIS projects
• Ensure business plan objectives established upon commencement of project, and committed to relevant Executives, are achieved
• Develop and deliver a robust transition plan to transfer aircraft arrival EIS tasks to Flight Operations as relevant
• Ensure that projects are managed in line with Standard Operating Policy and Procedures which have been created in line with Etihad's Corporate Governance, Mandate of Authority and Internal Audit requirements.
• Develop relationships and attend meetings with aircraft manufacturers to keep abreast of aircraft developments that impact aircraft performance and operating costs.
• Lead the implementation of Cabin Reconfiguration including extra legroom and densification projects
• Provide Fleet Planning input into Strategic Lifecycle projects including economic life studies and cabin refresh considerations
• Gather relevant data from a Fleet Planning perspective required to perform Business Cases for Major Cabin Work projects including Premium Economy and A380 Optimization
• Monitor and evaluate technical inputs and motivate change where required to ensure the project objectives are delivered. Review all proposals made to the Change Management Board and provide input from a Fleet Planning perspective.
• The role takes accountability for planning, structuring, negotiating, leading cross departmental teams and executing large high risk, complex projects. It requires strong management and negotiation skills and commercial focus to bring together a diverse array of skill sets from across all divisions of the airline to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Educated to a minimum of degree level, preferably with a technical focus .
• Professional post-qualification technical certification desirable.
• Post holder must have a minimum of 10 years experience with a reputable airline or aviation body of which at least 5 years is in a fleet planning, project management, and/or technical capacity.
• Proven experience in managing large and complex programmes spanning entire organisations.

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world's leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad's codeshare partners, Etihad's network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. Etihad is recognised as one of the world's leading airlines in response to COVID-19 and was the first airline in the world to fully vaccinate its crew on board.

Etihad sees tackling the climate crisis as the most important issue of our time, and through strategic partnerships with major global aviation brands and OEMs, Etihad is relentless in its pursuit of industry decarbonisation.

About the Company

Etihad Airways is the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates. The airline was set up by a Royal Decree in July 2003, with Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, as its hub. Etihad started commercial operations in November 2003.

With Etihad, everyone who flies with us is welcomed as our guest.

This simple credo illuminates everything we do, from big things like making sure that our fleet is one of the most advanced in the sky, to small touches like letting you choose the films you watch.

Were proud to be the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates. At the crossroads between Europe and Asia, our home reflects our commitment to bringing the world closer together - as does our highly cosmopolitan staff.