South African Airways Seeks a Turnaround Chief Executive. Ready for the Challenge?

South African Airways (SAA), the country’s national airline, is on the hunt for a bold and strategic Chief Executive Officer to navigate a complex turnaround mission.

Facing financial challenges and fierce competition, SAA needs a CEO with a proven track record in the aviation industry who can not only ensure safety and efficiency but also bring back the airline back to “Best in Class” status.

This is a high-profile role demanding a visionary leader with the courage to make tough decisions and foster a culture of innovation and customer focus.

Closing Date

2024/04/26

Reference Number

SAA240412-3

Job Title

Chief Executive Officer

Location

Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng

Job Purpose

The CEO role reports directly to the South African Airways Board of Directors and is accountable, and responsible, for the safe, efficient, and financial sustainability of the airline’s operations, with direct accountability for all dimensions of the carrier. The CEO develops, implements and oversees the airline strategy, P and L performance, and day to day operations, by leading the near-term transformation of the organisation to return the business to ‘Best in Class’ performance in safety, reliability, cost, and customer satisfaction.

Given the nature of the role, the CEO leads effective liaison programmes with key external constituent groups, including the Shareholder, key stakeholder Ministries (e.g., DPE, Transport), commercial partners, regulators, major suppliers, airport organisations, local community leaders, and the media to ensure that SAA’s interests are co-ordinated with those of such stakeholders.

Furthermore, the CEO is also responsible for the high-quality execution of the Airline Strategy and Corporate Plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives set by the Shareholder and/or the Board of Directors. The CEO must be able to inculcate a zero tolerance safety culture and must be able to make hard decisions leading the developmentand sustainability of a culture and structure that is capable of operating efficiently and effectively in a constantly emerging and competitive environment.

In association with the transformational agenda of the airline the CEO will, in particular, focus on key features of the SAA airline regarding revenue growth, fleet and network expansion and alliances, operational efficiencies, customer experience and the digitalisation of the work environment. This role requires a strong strategist to execute turn-around strategies within a fiercely global competitive aviation market and deliver profitable results. The subsidiaries will report to the SAA CEO for administrative purposes and are part of the SAA Exco, but the final accountability is with their boards in line with the Delegation of Authority and Significant and Materiality Framework.

Principal Accountabilities

Set the airline’s overall strategy vision and culture with the board’s approval
Ensure that SAA translates its customer value proposition into practical product and service attributes that can easily and efficiently implemented in the day-day operations
Performance driven airline
Safety and Security
Profit and Loss performance (RASK, CASK, EBIT)
External stakeholder management
Develop and lead high performing executive leadership team and deliver a robust leadership pipeline
Customer satisfaction
Transformation on supplier, employee and organisation level
Key operational performance such as on-time performance, revenue per employee, employee productivity, aircraft utilisation, route performance, etc.
Optimal governance frameworks and systems ensuring compliance to all relevant legislation.

Qualifications & Experience

Relevant post graduate qualification in business or equivalent with extensive knowledge and executive level experience in the Aviation industry with at least 10-15 years’ is essential.

Knowledge and Skills

An understanding of the African Aviation market, dynamics and aero political issues coupled with knowledge of the financials of the aviation industry
In-depth understanding of the airlines’ safety and security, revenue and cost performance, capital structure, labour relations, technology and competitive performance
Commercial and Financial acumen
Customer Centric
Highly creative, innovative and idea driven
Strong communication skills
Visionary with the ability to conceive and realise new concepts and approaches.