Head Of Cabin Appearance

Velora Aviation; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Velora Aviation is seeking a Head of Cabin Appearance to set the strategic direction and lead the end-to-end cabin appearance function across airline operations.

You will oversee safety, quality, and customer satisfaction while driving cost efficiency, staffing, and continuous improvement in cleaning, disinfection and cabin dressing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aviation/operational field required; MBA preferred for strategic leadership.
• Minimum 11 years in aviation-related roles with 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Experience leading large operational teams, managing budgets and service quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead cabin appearance strategy, governance and operational performance across customers.
• Oversee end-to-end cabin cleaning services including transit, deep cleaning, disinfection and cabin dressing.
• Manage budgets, manpower, resources and commercial performance.
• Build and lead a high-performing workforce with recruitment, training and succession planning.
• Maintain relationships with airlines and authorities to ensure service excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement, technology adoption and service enhancement programs.
• Ensure safety, quality, hygiene, environmental and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Commercial and financial acumen

Operations management

Stakeholder management

Decision-making

Change management

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

Job Purpose

The Head of Cabin Appearance sets the strategic direction and provides functional leadership for the end-to-end cabin appearance function, ensuring the safe, compliant, consistent and commercially sustainable delivery of cabin appearance services, including transit cleaning, general cleaning, deep cleaning, disinfection and cabin dressing, across customer airline operations. The role is responsible for operational performance, financial management, workforce capability, customer relationships, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Key Job Accountabilities

• Lead the overall cabin appearance strategy, governance, and operational performance across all airline customers.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of cabin cleaning services, including transit cleaning, deep cleaning, disinfection, and cabin dressing.
• Manage departmental budgets, manpower planning, operational resources, and commercial performance.
• Build and lead a high-performing workforce through recruitment, training, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Maintain strategic relationships with airlines, airport authorities, and key stakeholders to ensure service excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, operational readiness, technology adoption, and service enhancement programs.
• Ensure compliance with safety, security, quality, hygiene, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management, Airport Operations, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. A relevant diploma may be considered with significant senior operational experience.
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or Aviation-related discipline) is preferred.
• Minimum 11 years of relevant aviation, airport, airline, or ground handling experience, including at least 5 years in a management or senior leadership role.
• Proven experience leading large operational teams and managing service quality, turnaround performance, budgets, and customer-facing operations.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft turnaround operations, safety management, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Strategic planning and operational management capability.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Ability to manage large-scale operations and service delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder and customer relationship management skills.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and change management abilities.
• Ability to perform effectively in fast-paced, operationally critical environments.