Head of Vertiports

Role Overview:

The successful candidate will lead all the company's business development activity in the U.S. and manage the complete lifecycle of the asset, including design, build, commissioning and passenger operations.

The key focus of this role is to build strategic partnerships across the value chain to scale the company's operations and services globally. The job holder will define the strategy, identifying potential joint ventures and develop the partnership to close commercial agreements.

As this is a complex and innovative new venture, the candidate selected for this role must possess a high degree of motivation to develop relationships and unlock opportunities and must be comfortable with a broad scope of responsibility and have the ability to bring structure to an unstructured environment. 

Responsibilities

• Manage the relationship and contract with the joint venture partners, acting as the single point of contact at the managerial level;
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentorship to enhance the financial strength of the company;
• Attract and build a vibrant and motivational workforce to lead the challenge;
• Responsible for the Stakeholder management: FAA, Departments of Transport, Federal Authorities;
• Build partnerships with landlords, local governments and large property owners to locate and acquire suitable sites for vertiports;
• Manage the budget of the vertiports business in his/her area of responsibility, and
• Supervising the financial analysis of the projects.

Development Phase

• Coordinate regional Business Development Directors based in the different states;
• Lead the negotiation and closing of commercial real estate long-term leases for development;
• Coordinate the development of the detailed design of the vertiports to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations;
• Secure together with the Business Development Directors all the necessary permits to start construction of the vertiports

Construction Phase

• Select a construction partner for the construction of the vertiports;
• Oversee all the construction projects by organizing and controlling the construction projects;
• Supervise the relationship with the construction companies, monitoring and controlling their performance.

Asset Management Phase

• Lead the new heliports business model;
• Coordinate the vertiports Managing Directors;
• Develop effective networking through all the vertiports, sharing best practices;
• Develop a strong commercial strategy together with each Vertiport Managing Director.

Key Skills:

• Experience with new ventures, in small teams where each member carries broad responsibility;  
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to build successful relationships both with stakeholders;
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work in an unstructured environment with minimal supervision
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken
• Drive, resilience, and passion for whatever you tackle
• Remove barriers to progress
• Good team player, with humble yet ambitious attitude
• Out of the box thinker and strong motivation to learn
• Demonstrated ability to develop lasting working relationships across all levels, functions, and cultural environments
• Uncompromising integrity

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a director or in other managerial position for at least 12 years in the airports/aviation industry;
• Significant experience in the business management, operational and commercial area;
• Knowledge and experience with airport expansion plans;
• Track record of dealing with the Federal Aviation Administration;
• Experience in dealing with both public and private institutions or agencies;
• Relevant academic record;
• Track record of cultivating relationships and of representing an organization in the highest ethical and reputational standings.

 Core Qualifications:

• Extensive experience assessing, developing and implementing airport certification requirements 
• Strong track record coordinating development of detailed design to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations
• U.S. citizen (or work permit eligible)
• English fluency required