Chief Executive Officer

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO who is the Accountable Manager for Air Operator Certificate (AOC) & Approved maintenance Organization (AMO), shall have full responsibility for the day-today operations of Uganda Airlines business in accordance with its strategic plan and operating and capital budgets as approved by the Board. The CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors, for the overall management of Uganda Airlines and for conformity with policies agreed upon by the Board. Is responsible for leading and driving the safety and success of the Airline. The CEO will be the leader of the business and responsible for devising and executing the Airlines’ strategy.

• Developing, for the Board’s approval, a strategic direction and positioning to ensure Uganda Airlines’ success.

• Collaborate with the Chair and the Board to define and articulate the Airlines’ vision, mission and values and develop strategies for achieving them.

• Effectively implement the strategy and business model to achieve the financial, commercial and operational goals endorsed by the Board.

• Review and establish an appropriate structure to support the Airline globally.

• Lead, manage and develop the structure and provide strategic direction and support accordingly.

• Provide effective leadership to the Senior Leadership Team (inclusive of regional and functional teams) and broader Company, promoting the vision of Uganda Airlines to both strengthen it and ensure its sustainability.

• Develop and manage all operational structures and resources to enable Uganda Airlines to achieve its strategic goals.

• In cooperation with the Board of Directors and other senior management, plan, coordinate and direct all the activities of the airline.

• Oversee the budget, capital investment and the employees of the organization.

• Be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the organizational performance and take corrective action to achieve the strategic objectives, capital budgets and operating plans.

• Be responsible for the development and maintenance of an agile management group and organizational structure with management processes that allow for the efficient use of human resources and capital.

• Facilitate the Board’s performance and its duties by keeping the board fully informed in an efficient, effective and timely manner of all events that could reasonably be expected to significantly impact the organization, its performance and prospects.

• Provide any assistance as necessary to the chair of the board and the chair of any committee of the board to allow them to carry out their duties.

• Maintain familiarity with diverse business functions which include but are not limited to marketing, product development, PR, finance and economics.

• Create and foster a strong culture of safety in the Corporation.

• Work with all heads of departments to ensure that the Airline is compliant with all local and international regulatory bodies.

• Hold regular compliance meetings with all key stakeholders.

• Ensure all operations staff are properly licensed as per regulations.

• Ensure all compliance and regulatory trainings are completed within the required timeframe.

• Ensure all Airline Audits are conducted, and all gaps are closed.

• Ensure all licenses of the Airline and Assets are kept in safe custody and accessible only by authorized personnel.

• Work with the CFO to prepare annual budgets, complete risk analysis on potential investments, and advise the Board of Directors regarding investment risk and return.

• Provide annual budget and financial plans to the governing board for approval.

• Present quarterly financial management reports and other reports as required.

• Ensure compliance with external regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions.

• Identify and create commercial opportunities to enhance financial performance.

• Demonstrate commitment to high standards and continuous improvement, implementing appropriate quality control and associated quality systems.

• Ensure effective implementation of all approved delegations.

• Oversee successful Code share negotiations with key airlines.

• Ensure overall revenue optimization.

• Ensure that all partnerships are managed optimally for the benefit of Uganda Airlines.

• Ensure that Fleet planning yields maximum utilization.

• Ensure revenue integrity.

• Champion the Business recovery and turnaround strategy mechanisms of the airline.

• Oversee the applicability of Work plans to increase load per sector.

• Oversee network expansion strategy.

• Develop new and innovative business units and new revenue streams.

• Ensure effective disruption management of the Airline.

• Ensure passenger retention and loyalty initiatives.

• Ensure that all stations are operating efficiently through constant visits to those locations.

• Interact with various tour operators in various destinations/countries to discuss growth strategies and revenue maximization for the Airline.

• Attend various forums, exhibitions, and meetings in all Uganda Airlines destinations (existing and emerging markets) to network with decision makers of other Airlines.

• Ensure compliance with external regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions.

• Ensure all safety records are stored, maintained and updated regularly.

• Ensure full policy implementation, monitor functionality, communicate updates, and recommend adjustments.

• Liaise with international aeronautical and local authorities/departments to solve challenges related to safety and security.

• Assist operations staff to reduce or change risky and harmful lifestyle behavior and advise accordingly.

• Ensure a safety and security register is in place, and that all potential risks are analyzed with mitigation measures implemented.

• Ensure the airline maintains its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with minimal findings.

• Ensure compliance and mandatory trainings are completed.

• Oversee the preparation of budgets in liaison with key departments.

• Ensure all expenses are in line with the budget and assist in expediting approvals at Board level.

• Ensure all financial accountabilities are accurate, timely and ethical.

• Participate in regular budgetary reviews with the relevant teams.

• Ensure all revenues are received and that leakage gaps are closed.

• Furnish the board with periodic revenue figures generated from the business.

• Provide feedback to the board on route expansions.

• Ensure revenue targets are met through constant feedback meetings with the commercial teams.

• Ensure maximum financial compliance.

• Work with all departments to formulate a functional operations strategy; commercial, Engineering, Flight operations and Ground operations are critical in this.

• Develop an operations performance scoreboard (matrix) to measure progress.

• Ensure all materials and spare parts to run the operations are available or easily availed to ensure minimum Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations.

• Regularly evaluate the performance of the airline and, with senior management, make sustainable and meaningful recommendations.

• Benchmark from other Airlines for best practice approaches.

• Set up operations review strategy meetings with key departments to update the Board on a regular basis.

• Implement the Four Disciplines of Strategy Execution training for the teams.

• Periodically review operational performance of the Airline by route, schedule and other parameters for maximization.

• Work with the operations aspects of the outstations to ascertain smooth workings and address challenges.

• Foster a corporate culture that promotes customer focus and service.

• Ensure a thorough recruitment process to attract the right people with the right profiles that match the culture of the Airline by working closely with the HR department.

• Ensure a well-trained and motivated staff.

• Ensure adequate staffing numbers by work allocations and in line with the UCAA.

• Ensure the Airline has attractive pay and benefits.

• Ensure a conducive working environment for staff is provided.

• Set the pace for succession planning and talent management.

• Ensure all policies and processes are adhered to.

• Maintain and enhance Uganda Airlines’ profile and reputation; be responsible for external relations; effectively always represent the company including attendance at key functions, industry events and public meetings.

• Work as the chief liaison with the PR Section to develop and maintain appropriate communication policies and procedures for the Airline.

• Maintain awareness and a sound knowledge of strategic and operational developments, theory and methods, providing suitable feedback to Directors, managers and staff within Uganda Airlines.

• Serve effectively as the key spokesperson for the Organization and the chief liaison with the industry and the public, locally and internationally.

• Collect feedback from staff regarding operations improvements off the principle of inclusive leadership.

• Display all operations matrices and score cards for the general information of all staff.

• Motivate and encourage all operations staff to participate in companywide initiatives to improve the airline.

• Develop and maintain good communication links among the members of the management and the Board.

• Work with Commercial and PR to ensure external stakeholders have the right information.

• Work closely with heads of department in preparation of board papers for submission and defending intended airline initiatives.

• Ensure brand visibility to increase load.

• Lead the creation of healthy relationships amongst the staff, the customers, the suppliers and any other agents or stakeholders.

• Maintain good relationships with all airline regulatory bodies and other Government Ministries; IATA, ICAO, UCAA, URA, NSSF and other foreign missions.

• Meet regularly with airport authorities, other airline counterparts, Civil Aviation Authorities and other relevant authorities both locally and internationally to attract new business and maintain good relationships.

• Ensure that the Airline can benefit from all possible relations to prosper in business through engagements.

• Manage all stakeholder expectations.

• Systematically interact physically with all staff at different stations/destinations and refocus them on the vision and objectives of the Airline.

• Ensure safety of our airline data and IT Systems.

• Ensure smooth IT operations for our passengers and staff.

• Ensure minimum downtime and advise on troubleshooting to ensure quick resolution.

• A bachelor’s degree in Administration, Business Administration, Aviation Management, Engineering, Finance, Law, or any other business-related course.

• A master’s degree in any of the above fields.

• Training in any aviation-related disciplines will be an added advantage.

• 10+ years of Aviation Experience at senior management level (Executive Committee).

• Proven experience working closely with a Board of Directors in a corporate, public sector, or regulated environment.

• Demonstrable success as head of a key function with a track record of delivery against key goals and overcoming significant obstacles.

• Experience in managing a large workforce at various levels.

• Clear understanding of Airline economics and network planning.

• Clear understanding of the governing legal and Aviation regulatory frameworks.

• Clear understanding of Safety and risk management systems.

• Clear understanding of Financial management.

• Clear understanding of Operational performance improvement.

• Clear understanding of Strategic transformation and change management.

• High ethical standards, integrity, sound judgment and commitment to public accountability