VP Aviation – Middle East Africa (MEA)

Ref.: MEA - 11034

At DHL, people mean the world to us. That’s why our goal has always been to attract and retain the best talent the world over. We provide challenge and opportunity for personal and professional development. We recognize the difference you bring to our business, and together we share the pride of building THE logistics company for the world.

DHL Express, one of the business units of DHL, takes care of global dispatch and delivery of parcel and express shipments. Come discover the unique, international spirit of DHL in an atmosphere where your commitment is recognized and rewarded.

Job Purpose

• Aviation’s key objective is to ensure Express’ success through the provision of safe, environmentally compatible, high quality, cost efficient air network operations designed to match Express’ service and demand requirements.
• Achieve the optimum use of capital equipment and staff resources within DHL Aviation for the management and further development of the regional air network that is commensurate with the highest possible level of safety and customer service to DPDHL.
• Responsible for the day-to-day execution of all operational, financial and commercial activities of DHL Aviation within Middle East North Africa (MENA) and Sub Sahara Africa (SSA);sub-regions, ensure compliance with the standards required by all applicable aviation and other authorities and all relevant legislation.
• Responsible for the establishment and management of Aviation legal entities within SSA and MENA sub-regions and negotiation with regulatory authorities for the obtaining of the necessary licences and authorisations required to operate the network.

Accountabilities

Customers: Internal / SSA/ MENA

• The overall purpose of MEA Aviation is to centrally co-ordinate and direct the requirements for the dedicated and commercial air networks across the region, including management of an intricate interface / connectivity with hubs, gateways and handling operations at all points across the region.
• To consistently lower cost per kilo and improve service delivery through enhanced despatch reliability and uplift availability

Customers: External / ACS business / Military related business

• Develop and manage the Commercial strategy for MEA Aviation. The commercial activity includes the ACS program, third party air charter activities within the region, key account management and interline services to DHL’s airline partners.
• Direct support / manage customer relationships for key government and military business activities within the region.

To achieve revenue targets, maximise aircraft utilisation, increase use of the companies fixed cost facility assets to maximise cost recovery and reduce DHL’s overall network costs

Stakeholders:

External Contacts

• 3rd party airlines (contract air partners)
• Commercial airline partners / suppliers
• Forwarding and cargo agents
• MD / Ownership level of GSA management
• MD level of Key Accounts forwarders / airlines and commercial customers
• MD / Ownership level of Charter brokers
• Airport and Civil Aviation Authorities
• Government Ministerial Departments
• Military agencies / authorities
• External auditors
• External consultants / advisers

MEA Aviation operates as a licensed airline within the region. This entails the management of 3 x AOCs with the various regulatory and government authorities across the region.

• Ensure that the sub-regional and Global business units are provided with real time data so that they may effectively manage their departments with accurate information.
• Ensure that the necessary direction is communicated accurately to the regional Aviation Directors and subsequently across the regional Aviation organisation to enable staff to work efficiently, accurately and without doubt.
• Ensure that all costs are monitored and controlled effectively.

Process

• Ensure implementation of company and quality standards, adapt overall policies and procedures to local environment where necessary
• Create a culture of change and continuous improvement to achieve long-term success
• Continually review and improve the business processes (including IT applications) to improve productivity and add value to DHL services
• Set service performance standards within regional framework that meet or exceeds customer expectations and differentiates DHL from the competitors

Effectiveness of change implementation

• Completing projects on time, within budget that deliver the expected improvements

Product/Service quality

• Meeting network, gateway and ground distribution targets
• Meeting DHL’s agreed service standards
• Meeting company and quality standards

Process efficiency

• Meeting process, cost and profitability targets through management control information

People - Management

• Determine an organisational structure, roles, critical success factors, performance targets and goals of all the entities within scope
• Develop an organisational culture that nurtures and encourages service, excellence, quality and a mindset of “getting it right the first time, every time”
• Ensure that the global/regional vision and values are understood and practised throughout the SSA and MENA sub-regions
• Develop and maintain a team of competent Directors and Managers
• Staff turnover
• Staff know-how
• Employee satisfaction survey
• Head count responsibility for overall business unit

Skills / Qualifications

Key capabilities

• Demonstrate personal leadership skills, sharing the core vision and values of DHL and its strategic direction
• Strong ability to make an impact and influence change
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal understanding
• Ability to communicate complex issues in a clear and simple way
• Strategic planner at a Regional and Global level
• Leadership / Influence in industry / professional standards or regulatory bodies
• Detailed knowledge of Aviation and the ability to manage, interface and co-ordinate specialist inputs from a number of areas to complete and run large scale projects
• Proven negotiation skills

Expected years of experience

• 10 years of general management experience in the Aviation industry
• Proven experience in implementing and influencing strategy
• Exceptional knowledge of global air express/airline and the freight forwarding business, its characteristics, competitors and likely future direction
• Extensive knowledge of the Aviation regulatory environment

Expected Educational Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification

Career / role development

• Expected next roles
• Senior Regional or Global role within DHL Express
• Global role within Aviation

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