Business Manager – Aviation & Business Operations

Job Posting

Role Overview

• We are seeking a highly experienced, commercially astute and proactive Business Manager with Aviation experience to oversee the coordination and effective management of its business operations in Nigeria and internationally.
• The role carries broad operational responsibility, including aviation-related activities, vendor and stakeholder management, financial administration, logistics, personnel coordination and the implementation of management decisions.
• The successful candidate must be a mature, dependable self-starter who can take ownership, anticipate operational needs, resolve issues and maintain high standards without requiring constant supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day business operations of the business across its Nigerian and international activities, ensuring that operational requirements are identified, prioritised and delivered efficiently.

• Coordinate aviation-related operations, including aircraft availability and readiness, flight-related logistics, scheduling support, ground handling arrangements and the timely coordination of operational requirements.

• Manage the administrative and operational coordination of pilots, cabin attendants and other aviation personnel, including duty schedules, travel arrangements, accommodation, transport, welfare requirements and communication of instructions.

• Coordinate aircraft-related service providers and vendors, including maintenance organisations, ground handlers, fuel suppliers, catering providers, travel agents, accommodation providers and other local or foreign partners.

• Liaise professionally with local and international companies, service providers, clients, regulators and other relevant stakeholders; manage correspondence, follow-ups, service expectations and issue resolution.

• Coordinate flight support requirements such as permits, slots, handling, passenger requirements, catering, ground transportation and other logistics, working with appropriately qualified aviation professionals and authorised service providers.

• Monitor aircraft-related service delivery and ensure that operational concerns, defects, maintenance requirements or safety-related issues are escalated promptly to the appropriate licensed or authorised personnel. The role does not replace the technical or regulatory responsibilities of licensed aviation personnel.

• Oversee business administration, including preparation, review, processing and tracking of invoices, quotations, purchase requests, expense records, payment schedules and supporting documentation.

• Monitor operational expenditure, budgets and cost commitments; identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service quality, safety and compliance.

• Ensure that invoices from local and foreign vendors are accurate, appropriately approved, properly documented and followed through to payment.

• Maintain clear records of contracts, vendor details, service agreements, operational expenses, aircraft-related documentation, personnel records and other business-critical information.

• Coordinate accommodation, travel, transportation and other logistical arrangements for management, pilots, attendants, visitors and business partners as required.

• Develop and maintain practical operating procedures, reporting templates, checklists and administrative controls that improve consistency and accountability.

• Prepare regular management reports covering operational performance, expenditure, outstanding invoices, vendor matters, personnel coordination, risks, pending decisions and key deliverables.

• Track action points and deadlines arising from management meetings and ensure that responsible parties provide timely updates and close out assigned tasks.

• Identify operational gaps, anticipate business needs and recommend practical solutions before issues disrupt service delivery.

• Support business development and relationship management by maintaining professional relationships with existing partners and identifying relevant service providers or commercial opportunities.

• Ensure that business activities are conducted in line with applicable laws, aviation requirements, company policies, contractual obligations and internal approval processes.

• Handle confidential commercial, financial, operational and personal information with discretion and sound judgement.

• Performance Expectations

• Smooth and reliable coordination of day-to-day business and aviation support operations.

• Timely and accurate processing and tracking of invoices, expenses and vendor obligations.

• Effective coordination of pilots, cabin attendants, service providers and travel/accommodation requirements.

• Strong vendor responsiveness, issue resolution and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Accurate, timely and useful management reports with clear action points.

• Improved operational controls, cost visibility, documentation and accountability.

• Prompt escalation of safety, compliance, technical or operational risks to the appropriate authority.

• Required Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Management, Aviation Management, Transport Management, Operations Management, Finance or a related discipline. Relevant professional qualifications will be an advantage.

• Substantial experience in business management, operations management or a senior administrative/operational role, preferably within aviation, aircraft operations, charter services, aviation support, logistics or a related environment.

• Candidates with direct experience coordinating aircraft operations, pilots, cabin crew, ground handlers, maintenance providers or aviation vendors will be strongly preferred.

• Demonstrable experience managing local and international vendors, service providers, clients and business relationships.

• Experience with invoices, budgets, expense tracking, procurement, vendor payments and operational reporting.

• A sound understanding of business operations, service delivery, logistics, documentation and administrative controls.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, including the ability to prepare clear reports and management presentations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders and international partners professionally.

Core Competencies and Personal Attributes:

• High level of maturity, sound judgement, integrity and discretion.
• Strong ownership mindset; proactive, resourceful and comfortable making progress independently.
• Excellent planning, coordination, prioritisation and follow-through.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance cost, quality, service and operational urgency.
• Calm and solutions-focused under pressure, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong n