Head Of Fleet Development

Purpose

• The Head of Fleet Development holds accountability for the strategic management of KQ's aircraft fleet from sourcing and acquisition through entry into service, lifecycle management, cabin refurbishment, and eventual disposal or redelivery.
• The role reports directly to the Technical Director and works in close partnership with the Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Strategy & Innovation, and the Fleet Steering Group.
• The Head of Fleet Development is expected to operate as a strategic adviser to the business, driving fleet investment decisions, negotiating complex commercial terms with manufacturers and lessors, managing multi-million dollar aircraft transactions, and ensuring every aircraft in the fleet delivers maximum asset value throughout its lifecycle.
• The role demands a leader who combines deep technical knowledge of aircraft engineering and configuration with the commercial awareness, negotiation capability, and project management discipline to manage the full spectrum of fleet transactions in a complex, capital-intensive aviation environment.

Responsibilities

Fleet Strategy & Planning

• Contributing to the development and execution of KQ's strategic fleet plan in partnership with Strategy & Network Planning, Finance, and the Executive Committee.
• Generating commercial, financial, and technical analysis to support aircraft and engine acquisition recommendations to business leadership, ensuring alignment with the Group's network strategy and financial objectives.
• Monitoring the global aircraft market including new aircraft programmes, lessor portfolios, and secondary market opportunities to identify optimal fleet solutions and advise on timing of transactions.
• Advising the Technical Director and Executive Committee on fleet composition, timing of acquisitions and disposals, and fleet transition strategies aligned to network and commercial requirements.
• Supporting the evaluation of sustainable aviation technologies including next-generation aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compatibility, and fleet decarbonization pathways.
• Accountable to the Fleet Steering Group for aircraft acquisition progress and fleet development planning.

Aircraft Sourcing, Acquisition & Transactions

• Leading the sourcing and acquisition of aircraft for the Kenya Airways fleet to meet the approved strategic fleet plan.
• Serving as primary negotiator for aircraft and engine purchase and lease agreements, including maintenance reserve rates, coordinating input from Finance, Insurance, Legal, and Technical departments.
• Preparing and presenting aircraft acquisition business cases and Board papers for Executive and Board approval.
• Managing the commercial and contractual aspects of aircraft and engine transactions with manufacturers, lessors, and financial institutions with rigour and commercial discipline.

Entry Into Service (EIS) & Programme Management

• Holding full accountability for the Configuration, Initial Provisioning, Training, and organisational preparedness for Entry Into Service of new aircraft types and variants.
• Managing the Fleet Development Project Managers to achieve satisfactory and smooth EIS including aircraft specification and configuration, initial provisioning of spares, tools and equipment, and training for pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and other staff.
• Setting up and managing New Aircraft Introduction programme teams and project management offices to govern EIS activities across all workstreams.
• 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.
• Managing the formal handover of aircraft to the Operations Control Centre for first commercial flight, ensuring all readiness criteria are met.

Aircraft Lifecycle Management

• Managing the lifecycle (or lease cycle) of all aircraft in the fleet with a view to preserving maximum asset value throughout the aircraft's tenure.
• Ensuring aircraft documents and records are maintained complete, accurate, and accessible in line with acceptable international airworthiness standards.
• Configuration Management of each aircraft in the fleet to ensure completion, accuracy, and timely updates to documented configuration records.
• Governance of Maintenance Reserves including annual escalation reconciliation, coordination of Letter of Credit adjustments, and negotiation of revised rates with lessors.
• Managing cabin refurbishment and replacement programmes across the fleet to maintain product competitiveness, brand standards, and passenger experience quality.

Aircraft Disposal & Redelivery

• Managing the exit of aircraft from the passenger fleet through lease return projects, ensuring compliance with redelivery conditions and minimizing end-of-lease financial exposure.
• Managing the process of sale of aircraft owned by Kenya Airways, maximizing residual value and protecting the Company's financial interests.
• Coordinating aircraft conversion to freighter configuration where commercially appropriate and aligned to the Group's cargo strategy.
• Ensuring all disposal and redelivery activities are completed within agreed timelines, budgets, and contractual requirements.

Stakeholder Management & External Relations

• Maintaining and developing productive, trust-based relationships with aircraft manufacturers (Boeing, Embraer, and others), leasing companies, and financial institutions as the primary point of contact on all fleet matters.
• Building and sustaining relationships with aviation regulators (KCAA), industry bodies, OEM partners, and relevant external stakeholders to support fleet development objectives.
• Timely escalation to management of risks and issues related to aircraft transactions, ensuring appropriate visibility and governance at all times.
• Representing Kenya Airways at industry forums, manufacturer engagements, and external events on fleet management and aircraft transaction matters.

People Performance & Leadership

• Building and leading a high-performing Fleet Development team.
• Managing a direct budget in support of aircraft acquisition and introduction activities, determined annually on a project-by-project basis, with full financial accountability.
• Developing the people strategy for the Fleet Development function, including talent acquisition, performance management, and succession planning.
• Fostering a culture of project excellence, commercial discipline, safety, and continuous improvement within the Fleet Development function.

Skills

• An experienced, commercially astute fleet management professional with significant experience in aircraft acquisition, disposal, and lifecycle management in a complex airline environment of comparable size, scale, and capital intensity.
• A trusted strategic adviser to the Technical Director and Executive Committee with the credibility, presence, and commercial rigour to influence fleet investment decisions at the most senior levels of the organisation.
• Deep expertise in aircraft and engine lease and purchase negotiations, maintenance reserve management, and aircraft financing structures, with a demonstrable track record of concluding complex multi-million dollar aircraft transactions.
• A skilled negotiator with a proven track record of concluding complex aircraft transactions with manufacturers, lessors, and financial institutions delivering favourable commercial outcomes while managing transaction risk and protecting the Company's interests.
• Strong project management capability with demonstrated experience managing multi-disciplinary Entry into Service programmes on time, within budget, and to the required airworthiness standards.
• A leader of high integrity with strong technical knowledge of aircraft engineering, configuration management, and airworthiness regulations, combined with an unblemished professional track record.
• Genuine understanding of aviation financing, legal contracts, and the commercial dynamics of the global aircraft leasing and trading market, including OEM relationships and lessor negotiation strategies.
• A collegiate team player who fosters collaboration across Technical, Finance, Legal, Commercial, and Operations divisions, and builds strong, trust-based partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of emerging trends in fleet strategy including sustainable aviation, next-generation aircraft technologies, digital asset management, and fleet decarbonization bringing an international perspective and forward-looking approach to fleet planning.

Qualifications

• University degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aeronautical, Electrical/Electronics, Mechatronics, or equivalent), Finance, or Law.
• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Aviation Management, Engineering Management, or equivalent from a recognised institution (an added advantage).
• Professional certification in Project Management: PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, or equivalent from a recognised body (distinct advantage).
• Understanding of current airworthiness regulations, aviation financing precepts, and basic legal and contract principles (mandatory).
• Additional qualifications or certification in Aviation Law, Aircraft Financing, or Aviation Asset Management will be a distinct advantage.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive work experience, with at least 7 years in a senior airline industry role directly relevant to fleet management, aircraft transactions, or aircraft engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of demonstrable experience managing aircraft acquisition, disposal, or fleet transaction projects with direct accountability for commercial outcomes.
• Minimum 4 years of aircraft delivery and redelivery experience with direct involvement in acceptance inspections, documentation review, and technical delivery negotiations.
• Proven track record of negotiating complex aircraft and engine lease and purchase agreements with major manufacturers and lessors, achieving favourable commercial outcomes.
• Strong project management experience with demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary Entry into Service programmes covering configuration, provisioning, training, and organizational readiness.
• Deep understanding of aviation financing structures, legal contracts, airworthiness regulations, and aircraft configuration management requirements.
• Experience with both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft platforms; Boeing and Embraer experience preferred given KQ's current fleet composition.
• Knowledge of aircraft configuration management systems, maintenance reserve governance frameworks, and international records management standards.
• Experience in cabin refurbishment programme management and product upgrade initiatives (a distinct advantage).
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer systems and digital tools used in aircraft lifecycle management, fleet planning, and project management.
• Sound understanding of inter-departmental coordination across Technical, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Operations, and Commercial functions in the context of aircraft transactions.