About the Job

The Head of Engineering Services will be responsible for the strategic development and management of fleet safety, operational reliability, technical standards, compliance with regulatory requirements, and cost-effective operation and maintenance of the fleet through technical and commercial management. This role involves developing the long-term direction and scope of the organization to ensure profitability and growth, driving organizational and operational efficiency at optimum cost. The successful candidate will also manage key business relationships with major OEM and MRO providers and Engine Leasing companies, while providing strong leadership in identifying, evaluating, and pursuing new supplier support opportunities.

Responsibilities

Develop internal procedures and policies for continuous improvement in working practices and key performance criteria in line with industry best practice, KQ brand, and people management principles.
Define and implement business process and systems support tools to ensure an effective maintenance plan can be followed.
Ensure all business processes and procedures are detailed in Department Procedures or Local Instructions.
Develop the long-term direction of the organization to ensure profitability and growth, driving productivity and efficiency, and optimizing staff numbers and supplier support plans to reflect fleet size and volume.
Contribute to the development of annual business plans that increase profitability and shareholder value, and be fully responsible for the development and execution of the Engineering Services plan.
Define and manage the overall departmental budget.
Plan and organize medium (3-5 years) and long-term (5-10 years) maintenance strategies for aircraft fleets with a focus on life cycle cost management.
Develop manpower and capital budgets in line with business needs.
In liaison with HR, attract, hire, develop, and retain an outstanding team with a common vision, sense of purpose, and shared values focused on superior levels of quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Drive a high-performance team to ensure all outputs and deliverables are met in line with KQ’s long-term and strategic goals.
Take full accountability for decisions within the Engineering Services remit and for ensuring effective cross-functional and collaborative leadership at the Executive Committee and Senior Management Teams.
Lead and direct the management team, providing a multi-disciplinary team to support operational and engineering departments across the division.
Lead, direct, motivate, and develop the Engineering Services team to achieve agreed performance and contribution standards, ensuring all staff receive performance assessments and clear objectives.
Set departmental engagement in line with KQ and the Engineering & Maintenance division’s objectives.
Conduct regular one-to-one and team meetings with all direct reports.
Regularly communicate corporate and Engineering & Maintenance strategy and performance to staff in line with a departmental communication plan.
Take personal responsibility for issues of poor performance, disciplinary actions, and staff conduct.
Ensure decisions align with company HR policy and consider all possible outcomes associated with decision-making.
Develop communication strategies while managing relationships with all Airline departments and outside companies, holding key relationships at a Senior Level with Aircraft/Engine manufacturers, MRO Service Providers, and Engine Leasing Companies.
Ensure assessment of supplier’s assets and capabilities with respect to overall business strategy, determination of activities to engage in with different suppliers, and planning and execution of all interactions with suppliers in a coordinated fashion across the relationship lifecycle to maximize value.
Ensure Supplier management plans deliver value created by contracting and benefits include increased visibility into the supply base (reducing risk), increased quality in products and service, and alignment of suppliers with KQ processes and corporate goals.
Set fleet management strategy for asset modifications, integrated maintenance programmes and reliability, and maintenance/work scoping policies to ensure high quality and fully optimized life cycle cost management that matches fleet operating plans.
Support the development of a cost-effective and integrated maintenance planning strategy aligned to KQ asset growth that will exploit maintenance planning opportunities worldwide and with all external providers, while achieving full regulatory and compliance standards.
Ensure MIS functionality is used to full effect to carry out departmental functions and that the system is fully integrated into department business processes.
Ensure the aircraft cabin and external appearance meet world-class standards.
Ensure processes are in place to continuously minimize aircraft maintenance ground times.
Develop systems and processes to improve check preparation and control, and optimum productivity.
Ensure quality of maintenance performed for third-party customers guarantees no warranty claims from Kenya Airways.
Ensure all regulatory and legal requirements, statutory responsibilities, and directives pertaining to departmental activities are in compliance, and that the highest levels of technical standards, safety, and reliability are maintained.
Ensure the provision of an efficient and effective Information Service and Airworthiness Records Management function to ensure compliance with KCAA and other regulatory authorities, and lease condition compliance.
In conjunction with HR, attract, hire, develop, and retain the best possible team, ensuring an outstanding group of employees with a common vision, sense of purpose, and shared values who will focus on superior levels of quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Drive a high-performance team to ensure all outputs and deliverables are met in line with KQ’s long-term and strategic goals.
Have full accountability for decisions within the Engineering Services remit and for ensuring effective cross-functional and collaborative leadership at KQ BLT and Senior Management Teams.
Lead and direct the management team, providing a multi-disciplinary team to support the operational departments across the division.
Lead, direct, motivate, and develop the Engineering Services team to ensure agreed standards of performance and contribution are successfully achieved, while ensuring all staff receive performance assessments and clear objectives.
Ensure individuals take responsibility for self-development and training, ensuring all technical, recurrent, professional, and commercial training requirements are defined, planned, and implemented to maintain and build technical knowledge and skills, and to meet regulatory requirements.

Requirements

University Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aeronautical, Electrical/Electronics, Mechatronics, or equivalent) with first class honors or an upper second-class honor.
Over Ten (10) years’ progressive experience, coupled with four years of active aircraft maintenance experience and a minimum of 4 years’ experience in aircraft maintenance while holding a management position(s).
A master’s degree in engineering is an added advantage.
Understanding of Project Management methodology.
Understanding of basic legal precepts.
Working knowledge of current airworthiness regulations.
Demonstrated knowledge in managing complex maintenance operations.
Knowledge of KCAA/EASA/FAA requirements and Kenya Airways procedures.
Possess training credentials on various discipline-related aircraft standards, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Must be able to analyze, forecast and challenge logic of events.
Experience of managing outsourced operations.
Commercial awareness / Financial Management.
Knowledge of EASA approvals and certification processes will be an added advantage.
Responsible decision-making skills.
Influencing & Management skills.
Negotiation skills to benefit the company.
Excellent Communication Skills (written and verbal).