What you’ll be doing

• The Head of Fleet and Long-Range Planning is responsible for developing and executing the strategy, planning, and management of the Group’s current and future fleet requirements.
• This will require maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Boeing, Airbus, GE, and Rolls Royce, as well as leasing companies and aircraft financiers.
• The Head of Fleet and Long-Range Planning plays a critical role in developing and maintaining the overall long-term VA Group capacity plan and supports the business as an expert in aircraft performance and operations.
• Develop and maintain the fleet plan by leveraging industry insights, optimizing financial decisions, updating leadership, and collaborating across teams.
• Manage supplier relationships, support procurement and negotiations, and prepare strategies for leadership approval of fleet decisions.
• Develop the 3–5-year Long-Range Plan, assess workforce needs, and manage wet lease options and negotiations.
• Partner with the Group Strategy team on business cases and presentations, manage fleet and route planning, coordinate fleet impacts with alliance partners, and analyse competitor financials and capacity.
• Support finance teams with fleet cashflows, hedging impacts, and accounting; assist with earnings forecasts and budget effects; collaborate on corporate finance materials and strategies related to fleet and debt.
• Assist the Group ESG Team with fleet strategies for emission goals and analyse the cost versus emissions trade-offs of new fleet acquisitions.
• Handle media inquiries about the VA fleet, collaborate with Corporate Communications on fleet announcements, and provide fleet communication and workshops to other departments.

You’ll be great for this role if you have

• Highly strategic, proven experience in developing aviation strategy (minimum 10 years).
• Tertiary qualification in finance, law, aviation, engineering or a related field. MBA or advanced degree in engineering is highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with advanced skills in numeracy and modelling.
• Experience developing and implementing fleet strategy and operational economics.
• Exceptional understanding of aircraft economics and performance characteristics.
• Expertise in corporate strategy development and deployment.
• Experience preparing and presenting business cases C-suite stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication and coordination skills.
• Effective team leadership and development of junior staff.
• Airline operations experience is very desirable.
• Airline network experience is advantageous.
• Experience with contract negotiation and procurement is advantageous.

What you’ll get from us



We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

• Discounted flights for you and your loved ones (plus $1000 travel credits per year)
• Flexible and hybrid working, with a mix of working from home and the office
• ‘Dress for Your Day’ – wear whatever makes you feel great for the type of work you do and the day you have ahead of you
• One of Brisbane’s most admired office locations, with South Bank train station, a supermarket, pharmacy, lunch options, the Busway nearby, a rooftop restaurant, onsite gym and South Bank across the road
• Discounts on travel insurance, lounge membership, car hire, accommodation, and experiences worldwide
• Cheaper hospitality, retail, technology, beauty and wellness services
• Free counseling and online tools to support your physical, mental, social and financial health.