Head of Business Development

About the Role

Abu Dhabi Aviation is looking for a seasoned and commercially savvy Head of Business Development to steer international expansion and diversify its rotary-wing aviation service offerings. This role suits a business development leader with significant helicopter aviation expertise, skilled in spotting market opportunities, securing high-value contracts, forging strategic partnerships, and ensuring steady revenue growth across both regional and global markets.

Primary Duties

• Drive commercial growth initiatives in international markets.
• Source, cultivate, and close new business in helicopter aviation services.
• Lead key strategic programs spanning offshore transport, HEMS, Search & Rescue, private charters, ACMI leasing, and MRO services.
• Formulate and implement strategies for market entry and expansion in new regions.
• Maintain a healthy and realistic commercial pipeline, ensuring effective opportunity conversion.
• Manage complex commercial negotiations, contract formulations, and bids.
• Develop and enhance strategic partnerships, alliances, and joint ventures.
• Establish enduring relationships with government, defense, institutional, and commercial clients.
• Work closely with cross-functional departments including Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Risk to secure successful deal execution.
• Lead, inspire, and grow the Business Development team.

Candidate Profile

• 13 to 15 years of experience in aviation, aerospace services, or similar asset-heavy industries.
• A minimum of 5 years in senior business development or commercial leadership positions.
• Substantive experience specifically in the helicopter aviation sector is mandatory.
• Demonstrated record of driving revenue growth and negotiating long-term commercial agreements.
• Comprehensive understanding of rotary-wing operations including offshore transport, HEMS, SAR, charter services, ACMI/leasing, and MRO.
• Preferred experience collaborating with government, defense, and institutional aviation clients.
• Proficiency in managing complex, multi-party, international commercial deals.
• Advanced skills in commercial negotiation, pricing strategies, contract structure, and risk assessment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Aviation Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• An MBA or similar advanced degree is favorable.
• Willingness to undertake frequent international travel.

Core Competencies

• Leading Business Development efforts
• Sales strategy and market expansion
• Handling intricate commercial negotiations
• Building and managing strategic alliances
• Pipeline and opportunity oversight
• Contract formulation expertise
• Driving revenue and commercial strategies
• Stakeholder engagement and management
• Understanding aviation commercial business models
• Optimizing fleet usage and market positioning