Technical Lease Return Senior Manager

Alaska Airlines • WA-SeaTac, WA

5d

About The Position

The Technical Lease Return Senior Manager is the sole subject matter expert and thought leader for Alaska Air Group’s (AAG) leased fleet return program. This role oversees all technical and contractual aspects of aircraft lease returns and used aircraft deliveries, ensuring compliance and financial optimization. Acting cross-functionally across Legal, Maintenance, Supply Chain, FP&A, and Fleet teams, the manager leads negotiations and execution of lease agreements related to return conditions. As an individual contributor, they develop and implement innovative solutions to optimize complex technical and financial outcomes for the leased fleet return strategy for AAG.

Requirements

• 10 years of experience working with airline maintenance programs and related systems including Trax, Aircraft Records, and working with technical records, lease contracts, sales and return process.
• Bachelor’s degree, with a focus in finance, accounting, economics, engineering, or a related discipline; or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Experience successfully leading cross-divisional teams and managing complex projects with limited supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience and understanding related to Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) standards with an emphasis on assessing industry standard vs. regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of regulatory guidance and requirements (FAA and EASA) and sales processes as related to asset value preservation.
• Working knowledge of onboarding new and used leased aircraft.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change cross-divisionally for mutually beneficial strategic and operational impact.
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, and communication (e.g., verbal, written, presentation) skills, with the ability to create collaborative relationships that drive outcomes in the best interest of the company, with others in the organization, and with key external business partners.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret, assess risk, develop/negotiate/renegotiate, and apply technical contractual language.
• Ability to understand and break down complex data/ideas into key drivers for decision making.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Airframe and Powerplant license.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and positively develop employees in the Treasury and Supply Chain groups by being approachable, responsive, and supportive, ultimately creating a positive atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Designs innovative solutions and strategies and implements processes to successfully return Alaska Air Group’s leased aircraft fleet - from both a technical compliance and financial optimization perspective in alignment with the execution of the company’s overall leased fleet strategy and plan. Also designs technical solutions and strategies for the induction of used aircraft into Alaska Air Group’s fleet.
• Defines and advises enterprise leaders on long-term strategy (both internal and external) for technical aircraft leased fleet issues and considerations related to returns or acquisitions and provides input for issues related to lifecycle.
• Builds and leads cross-divisional aircraft redelivery teams in close collaboration with Maintenance and Engineering teams in ensuring successful/optimized aircraft redeliveries.
• Focal for technical-related and timely end of lease negotiations ensuring that any compensation paid by Alaska is market priced and judicious.
• Ensure maintenance providers and vendors deliver to the timeline, cost and scope contractually set forth.
• Oversee the management of consultants and ensure accountability for the timely return or acquisition of used leased aircraft.
• Designs and implements processes to ensure compliance with lease return conditions and maximize financial efficiency.
• Leads technical planning for the induction of used aircraft into the fleet.
• Provides input and recommendations on the development and/or revision of technical aircraft lease contract language.
• Makes significant, impactful decisions as the technical decision maker during lease returns or acquisition of used aircraft.
• Cultivates relationships with worldwide leasing partners technical teams in close cooperation with the Fleet team.
• Thought partner in gathering and analyzing technical information to set maintenance cost projections for lease returns and set/lead strategy to optimize.
• Informs and provides guidance to internal teams to ensure compliance with aircraft lease contracts return conditions.
• Maintains current with industry standards vs. regulatory standard practices.
• Drives a shared knowledge work environment (coaching others and building the team’s overall skills).

Benefits

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
• Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees