Our Client is seeking to hire a highly experienced and strategic Chief Operations Officer (COO) to lead and oversee all aviation and ground operations. The COO will be responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient flight operations, fleet management, and customer service delivery across all private jet services.

This role requires a hands-on aviation leader with deep industry knowledge, strong regulatory understanding, and a proven ability to drive operational excellence in a high-performance, safety-critical environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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