Head of Transformation in Engineering

Transforming the Future of Aviation: Head of Transformation, Engineering & Maintenance at British Airways

British Airways, a name synonymous with aviation excellence and a pioneer in global air travel for over a century, invites ambitious leaders to shape the future of its Engineering & Maintenance function. This is a unique opportunity to join an iconic organisation that prides itself on innovation, heritage, and a commitment to connecting Britain with the world. If you are passionate about driving significant change and leaving a lasting impact, this senior leadership role as Head of Transformation is for you.

The Opportunity: A Strategic Leadership Role

As the Head of Transformation, you will be at the forefront of modernising and enhancing the Engineering & Maintenance division. This pivotal role requires a strategic thinker who can develop and execute comprehensive transformation initiatives. You will foster crucial relationships across British Airways, ensuring that all transformation efforts are integrated into a cohesive and effective organisational ecosystem. Your leadership will empower the Engineering leadership team with cutting-edge transformation methodologies, aligning departmental advancements with the overarching strategic objectives of the airline.

This role is designed for individuals who thrive on challenging the status quo and possess the vision to unlock new levels of value. You will be instrumental in identifying, formulating, and driving transformational change from concept to completion, acting as a trusted senior partner to Engineering & Maintenance Directors. Your mandate will be to enable the aspiration of "Build a Better BA" by applying industry-leading transformation techniques.

Key Responsibilities and Impact:

• Lead the strategic development of transformation plans for all Engineering & Maintenance areas, in close collaboration with BA's Director of Transformation.
• Direct and mentor "Umbrella Squads," overseeing a team of Programme Managers, Project Managers, and PMO Leads, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Guide the Engineering leadership team in prioritising transformation initiatives and optimising resource allocation for maximum impact.
• Effectively monitor progress against transformation objectives, adapting strategies as needed to maintain alignment with organisational goals.
• Provide clear and concise updates and reports to central teams, the BA Management Committee, and the International Airlines Group Management Committee.

What Makes This Role Exceptional for Your Career Path:

• Strategic Influence: This is a high-impact role where you will directly influence the strategic direction and operational efficiency of a critical function within a global organisation.
• Leadership Development: You will have the opportunity to coach and mentor executive leaders, honing your own leadership and influencing skills.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build and nurture relationships across diverse teams, gaining invaluable insights into the broader workings of a major airline.
• Innovation and Execution: Drive tangible change and see the direct results of your transformation strategies, contributing to a more agile and effective British Airways.
• Pioneer Spirit: Be part of an organisation with a rich history of innovation, applying your expertise to shape its future.

What British Airways is Looking For:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Proven Transformation Expertise: Demonstrated success in developing and executing transformation initiatives, ideally within the airline or related sectors (travel, transport, aviation), though experience from other industries is highly valued.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Prowess: A strong ability to define complex problems, articulate clear solution options, and make impact-driven recommendations.
• Exceptional Influencing Skills: The capability to effectively influence stakeholders, even those with differing perspectives.
• Holistic Approach: The ability to balance strategic foresight, creative thinking, meticulous planning, and robust operational execution, coupled with outstanding communication and judgment.
• Agility and Drive: The capacity to operate at pace in dynamic, ambiguous environments with a clear bias towards action and delivery.
• Constructive Challenge: A proactive approach to challenging existing practices and promoting best practices.
• People Leadership: Strong professional development and people management skills to foster a motivated and high-achieving team.
• Interpersonal Acumen: Excellent relationship-building skills to establish and maintain strong connections with stakeholders at all levels.

While a degree-level education or equivalent experience is essential, an MBA is considered a desirable asset. Experience from consulting roles or specific functional expertise (engineering, operations, commercial) can be advantageous.

Embrace Inclusion and Diversity:

British Airways is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual's originality, creativity, and identity are celebrated. They believe that diverse perspectives are essential drivers of innovation and are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to be their authentic selves. Joining British Airways means becoming part of a journey to build a "Better BA," continuing their legacy of connecting cultures and people across the globe.

This is more than just a job; it's a chance to lead significant change within an organisation that has defined the skies for over a century. If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to the evolution of British Airways, we encourage you to explore this outstanding opportunity.