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The Principal, Fleet Transactions-Technical will support the Senior Director Fleet Transactions, Technical with major fleet renewal programs including aircraft acquisition, introductions, returns, sales and disposals at Air Canada and its affiliates. The role is a transformative lead coordinating technical aspects of aircraft programs working with legal, maintenance, commercial finance departments, as well as relevant third parties including aircraft lessors and aircraft manufacturers OEM’s, to ensure seamless delivery of complex, high-value Aircraft transactions.

Responsibilities:

Commercial

• Provide leadership and oversight of aircraft acquisitions and aircraft disposals (sales and lease returns)
• Lead commercial technical contract negotiations related to fleet transactions initiatives
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with industry partners, OEM s, Lessors, etc.
• Lead pre-purchase asset/lease review, inspections, and due diligence of prospective assets.
• As a member of the deal team, lead and provide vital technical aspects of LOI and aircraft lease, financing, purchase agreements with a focus on delivery/return conditions and risk mitigation.
• Lead the development of legal and commercial documents from a technical perspective associated with various phases of aircraft transactions.
• Drive cost optimization and risk mitigation through innovative technical strategies and proactive management.

Program Management

• Provide oversight of aircraft acquisitions and disposals, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Lead on time aircraft deliveries and disposals of aircraft within the approved budget. Management of consultants, and completion of mid-term aircraft audits and inspections. Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and protocols aircraft transition programs
• Lead technical negotiations for complex fleet transactions, influencing deal structures to maximize value.
• Provide routine communication updates including executive level presentations
• Lead internal and external resources required to support fleet transaction activities
• Deliver transaction closing promptly, ensuring key decisions are made as required.
• Evaluate aircraft acquisitions to identify any modifications to the aircraft that may be required to meet our commercial or regulatory obligations
• Develop aircraft transition programs with program scope, determination of milestones, identification of critical paths and establishment of timelines for aircraft introductions, returns and sales programs
• Identify all contractual milestones and deliverables for existing aircraft
• Develop financial forecast based on contractual obligations for exiting aircraft program budgets
• Develop consultant resource requirements and establish a database of qualified resources to support aircraft introductions, returns and sales programs
• Monitor consulting resources with the accomplishment project objectives within scheduled timelines
• Manage the operating fleet modifications programs, working with OEMs on modification lead times for service bulletins, kits, and parts.
• Oversee the execution of the overall integrated fleet renewal plan for Air Canada and its regional carriers.
• lead inspection of aircraft at various stages of negotiation with lessors, negotiate with lessors’ technical representatives and resolve all issues which arise in the interpretation of the relevant aircraft lease documentation
• Monitor and report on progress related to programs and achieving targets
• Ensure integration and alignment of cross-functional teams
• Ensure proactive escalation to remove obstacles and prevent adverse consequences such as significant delays or unexpected cost overruns
• Provide high-level reporting and insights to support decision-making and governance
• Deliver high-impact presentations and status updates using advanced presentation techniques to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively, additionally ensuring comprehensive program governance and reporting across large-scale initiatives

Technical

• Lead discussions as a technical authority and negotiations with aircraft lessors on technical aspects of aircraft leases, including delivery and return conditions and all maintenance to be performed during the term of the lease; documents to be reviewed will include letters of intent and leases for aircraft being added to the fleet, lease extensions and amendments and sale lease/backs
• Coordinate communications between Maintenance and Fleet Transactions for cost saving opportunities for major maintenance events related to airframe and engines based on lease agreement return conditions and end of lease financial adjustments
• Oversee aircraft and engine evaluations and provide technical recommendations
• Act as the subject matter expert for technical recommendations in relation to lease amendment conditions
• Maintain lessor technical client relationships with lessors, MROs, OEMs, and other key suppliers
• Generate technical specifications documentation packages for existing aircraft
• Lead and Coordinate aircraft and engine lease activities to meet commercial objectives
• Act on behalf of the Manager when required and represent Fleet Transactions at internal and external meetings
• Prepare and review digital packages for Commercial & Marketing aircraft campaigns to support aircraft sourcing activities
• Monitor technical covenants to the Aircraft Leases
• Point of contact for OEM Modification programs for aircraft acquisitions

Reporting

• Govern the provision of aircraft and engine reports to meet the Lessor requirements
• Develop and manage the annual aircraft Lessor audits and reporting process for on-going aircraft maintenance, modification, airworthiness changes and ad hoc data.
• Manage the collation of current and projected aircraft maintenance status for aircraft lease extensions, review lease return conditions and validate that minimum return conditions and other obligations of the Lease under a technical nature continue to be met
• Obtain and analyze current and projected aircraft maintenance status for aircraft lease extensions; review lease return conditions and propose revisions as appropriate for lease extensions; calculate end of lease return costs to meet minimum return conditions and end of lease maintenance adjustments
• Set out with the regional carrier’s technical groups an established standard of reporting

• Degree or Diploma in Project Management, Aviation Management or Technical Aircraft Management, and/or demonstrated with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in the airline or related industries
• Broad knowledge of aircraft, maintenance, record keeping and regulatory requirements
• Aircraft technical background
• Strong technical background in aircraft systems, aircraft maintenance programs and operations
• Strong Project Management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience in coordinating internal stakeholders
• Effective communicator with excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Team player with demonstrated ability for achievement in a challenging, high paced environment
• High degree of self-discipline, strong ability for self-directed accomplishment of project priorities
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and/or multiple work demands, and shift priorities as required
• Well-developed knowledge of applicable safety, environmental and regulatory requirements policies and standards
• Excellent analytical abilities and computer skills (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Strong understanding of lease arrangements
• Self-starter with solid business acumen, able to work under minimal supervision
• Willingness to travel occasionally
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest, at the time any offer of employment is made and seeking any required work permits/visas or other authorizations which may be required is the sole responsibility of the candidates applying for this position.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.