General Manager, Group Operations at an Aviation Firm - Berekkah Consulting Limited

Berekkah Consulting Limited  - Our client in the Aviation industry is recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: General Manager, Group Operations

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Accountable Manager
Direct Reports: Head of Flight Operations, Head of Ground Operations, Head of Maintenance Planning, Head of Cabin Services, Head of OCC (Operations Control Centre), Head of Safety & Quality (functional oversight)

Job Summary 

• They seek a General Manager, Group Operations who will be responsible for the safe, compliant, efficient, and cost-effective execution of all airline operations across the network.
• The successful candidate will ensure operational reliability, regulatory compliance, on-time performance, safety assurance, and seamless cross-functional coordination across Flight Operations, Engineering, Ground Handling, Cabin Services, and Commercial functions.
• This role requires a strong leader capable of maintaining operational integrity within Nigeria’s dynamic aviation environment, characterized by infrastructure constraints, airspace congestion, fuel supply variability, and weather volatility.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with:
  • Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority regulations
  • International Civil Aviation Organization SARPs
  • International Air Transport Association IOSA standards (where applicable)
  • Maintain operational readiness for audits and regulatory inspections.
  • Oversee implementation of Safety Management System (SMS).
  • Ensure corrective actions from audits are closed within approved timelines.

Operational Performance & Reliability:

• Deliver On-Time Performance (OTP) targets.
• Reduce delays attributable to operational inefficiencies.
• Oversee aircraft utilization and turnaround efficiency.
• Manage disruption recovery strategies (weather, technical, airspace constraints).
• Ensure effective coordination via the Operations Control Centre (OCC).

Flight Operations Overs:

• Ensure compliance with flight duty time limitations.
• Monitor crew productivity and roster optimization.
• Oversee SOP adherence and operational discipline.
• Support fuel efficiency and cost optimization initiatives.

Ground & Airport Operations:

• Standardize ground handling processes across stations.
• Ensure SLA compliance with handling agents.
• Maintain safety and security standards at all airports.
• Drive improvements in turnaround time performance.
• (Primary airports may include Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other domestic stations operated under the oversight of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.)

Engineering & Maintenance Coordination:

• Coordinate with CAMO and approved MRO providers.
• Ensure aircraft availability aligns with schedule integrity.
• Monitor technical dispatch reliability.
• Drive reduction in AOG incidents and maintenance-related delays.
• Operational Cost Control
• Optimize fuel consumption in collaboration with Flight Ops.
• Monitor crew productivity ratios.
• Control operational overheads within budget.
• Improve cost per ASK (Available Seat Kilometer).

Crisis & Disruption Management:

• Lead operational response during:
• Severe weather events
• Airspace closures
• Industrial action
• Aircraft technical incidents
• Ensure passenger recovery plans are activated swiftly.
• Provide operational briefings to Executive Management.

Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Align closely with Commercial on schedule feasibility.
• Coordinate with HR on crew planning and manpower forecasting.
• Liaise with Security and Safety on risk mitigation.
• Provide operational input to fleet acquisition and induction planning.

Key Performance Indicators

• On-Time Performance (OTP)
• Aircraft utilization rate
• Technical dispatch reliability
• Safety performance indicators (SPIs)
• Delay minutes per sector
• Cost per ASK (CASK – operational component)
• Crew productivity metrics
• Audit findings & closure rate

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, or related field.
• ATPL, Aircraft Engineering License, or relevant aviation qualification preferred.
• Minimum 12–15 years aviation operational experience.
• At least 5 years in senior airline operations leadership.
• Strong understanding of Nigerian airspace, airport infrastructure, and operational constraints.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Operational leadership under pressure
• Strong regulatory knowledge
• Data-driven performance management
• Crisis management capability
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Decisive and structured problem-solving

Application Closing Date
21st April, 2026.