General Manager - Aviation Services

Our long-term client is a leading Tier 1 global aviation services provider, operating across multiple geographies with a commitment to safety, security, and operational excellence.

They are looking for an experienced General Manager, a fluent Portuguese 7 English speaker and written communicator, who will be r esponsible for leading multiple client country operations, driving operational excellence, commercial growth, financial performance, and regulatory compliance across multiple Angolan airport locations. The role will oversee all airport and aviation service activities at country level, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with agreed airline standards, service level agreements, and business objectives.

This position requires a strong aviation operations leader with proven experience managing complex ground handling, airport services, stakeholder relationships, people leadership, budgeting, and business growth within a regulated aviation environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and execute the country operational strategy to improve productivity, service quality, safety performance, and business growth.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality operational standards across all services, in line with airline requirements, agreed SLAs, and internal procedures.
• Manage country-level teams, providing effective leadership, performance management, training oversight, and operational direction.
• Maintain full accountability for safety, security, quality, compliance, and operational integrity across all activities.
• Ensure implementation of standard operating procedures, airline manuals, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards.
• Monitor safety performance indicators, key risk indicators, incidents, accidents, and corrective actions to support continuous improvement.
• Take responsibility for country-level profitability, financial performance, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and expenditure approvals.
• Review commercial performance, sales activity, revenue trends, and operational reports, providing recommendations to improve business outcomes.
• Identify and develop new commercial aviation business opportunities aligned with the country growth strategy.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to support business development, proposal activity, and strategic growth planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airlines, airport authorities, regulators, government bodies, customs, immigration, vendors, and wider aviation stakeholders.
• Drive operational efficiency through process improvement, technology adoption, systems enhancement, and productivity initiatives.
• Ensure resources, equipment, training, and manpower are effectively planned and available to support operational requirements.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, service excellence, and compliance across the country operation.
• Perform any other related duties as required by senior management.

Qualifications & Experience

• Excellent communication skills in English & Portuguese language , both written and verbal is required
• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Business, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10–15 years' aviation operations experience, including significant experience in a senior management or country leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of airport ground operations, aviation services, vendor management, procurement, safety standards, and local regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience managing budgets, P&L performance, financial controls, and operational cost efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large operational teams in a safety-critical and highly regulated environment.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify growth opportunities and support business development activity.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging airlines, airport authorities, government agencies, regulators, and business partners.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, analytical, problem-solving, and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal; local language capability would be advantageous.
• High level of integrity, accountability, resilience, and ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced aviation environment.