Head of Aviation

Position Overview

The Head of Aviation is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of TVS Motor Company's corporate aviation operations, ensuring the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, discretion, and service.

The role is accountable for the strategic and day-to-day management of the Company's private aviation fleet, flight operations, crew management, aircraft maintenance, aviation safety, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder management across multiple jurisdictions.

As the principal aviation advisor to the Chairman and senior leadership, the incumbent will ensure seamless execution of domestic and international travel while maintaining the highest levels of safety, confidentiality and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

1. Aviation Operations Leadership

• Lead and manage all corporate aviation operations across Singapore and India.
• Ensure all aircrafts are maintained in a constant state of operational readiness.
• Oversee flight planning, dispatch, scheduling and operational execution.
• Ensure efficient coordination of domestic and international flight operations.
• Develop and implement aviation operational policies and procedures.
• Continuously improve operational efficiency while maintaining the highest safety standards.

2. Fleet Management

Manage the Company's aviation assets:

• Fixed-wing aircraft
• Rotary-wing aircraft

Responsibilities include:

• Fleet utilisation
• Aircraft availability
• Maintenance planning
• CAMO coordination
• Airworthiness
• Vendor performance
• Aircraft upgrades
• Future fleet planning

3. Flight Operations

Oversee:

• Flight scheduling
• Crew rostering
• Crew duty time compliance
• Dispatch coordination
• Flight following
• Weather planning
• Fuel planning
• Ground handling
• Airport slot coordination
• Landing permits
• Overflight permits
• Diplomatic clearances
• International operating approvals
• Ensure the aviation team remains responsive to constant changing travel requirements and can support last-minute itinerary changes while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Principle has to have a seamless travel in terms of takeoff, landing, entering a country etc.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Serve as the primary point of contact with aviation authorities including:

• CAAS
• DGCA India
• FAA
• EASA
• ICAO
• International Civil Aviation Authorities

Ensure compliance with:

• Civil Aviation Regulations
• Flight Operations Manuals
• Aircraft Maintenance Programmes
• Safety Management Systems
• Security requirements
• International operating requirements

5. Safety Management

Champion a world-class aviation safety culture by:

• Leading Safety Management
• Conducting operational risk assessments
• Managing occurrence reporting
• Driving continuous safety improvement
• Leading safety audits
• Managing emergency response planning
• Ensuring IS-BAO (or equivalent) readiness where applicable

6. Crew Leadership

Lead a team comprising of approximately:

• 10-12 pilots
• 4-5 cabin crew
• 10-15 flight operations personnel

Responsibilities include:

• Recruitment
• Training
• Performance Management
• Duty Rostering
• Regulatory Licensing
• Competency Management
• Team Engagement

7. Aircraft Maintenance Oversight

Oversee:

• Maintenance providers
• Maintenance parts order and delivery
• CAMO providers
• OEMs
• Technical inspections
• Maintenance budgets
• Aircraft reliability
• Airworthiness compliance

8. Stakeholder Management

Act as the trusted aviation advisor to:

• CE & Chairman
• Any other senior leadership
• Airport authorities
• Government agencies
• Aviation regulators
• Aircraft manufacturers
• Aviation service providers

9. International Operations

• Support international travel globally (i.e. APAC, Europe, Middle East, etc.) and ensure all regulatory, customs, immigration and operational requirements are proactively managed.

10. Financial Management

• Manage aviation operating budget, vendor contracts, cost optimization initiatives, fleet operating costs, service provider negotiations.

11. Continuous Improvement

• Drive best practices across operational efficiency, digitalization, safety, crew productivity, customer service, fleet utilization, etc.

Qualifications Required

• Degree in Aviation Management, Aerospace Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Aviation management qualifications preferred.
• IS-BAO, SMS, or equivalent safety qualifications would be advantageous.
• Pilot license (ATPL/CPL) is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Minimum 15 years' experience in corporate/business aviation.
• Minimum 8 years in a senior aviation leadership position.
• Someone who is well-versed with International regulations and operations including Indian regulations.
• Experience managing corporate flight departments or private aviation operations.
• Experience managing Gulfstream and/or Bombardier aircraft would be advantageous.
• Experience managing multiple aircraft across different jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of international aviation regulations.
• Experience supporting senior executives, UHNW individuals, promoters or family offices.
• Experience working across Singapore and India is highly desirable.
• Prior flying experience as a commercial or corporate pilot is preferred but not essential.
• Exceptional judgment under pressure.
• Calm and decisive in high-pressure operational environments.
• Strong people leadership and coaching capability.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving capability.
• Absolute integrity and discretion.
• Uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Ability to work outside standard business hours when operationally required.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across international teams.

Why this role is unique

Unlike a traditional Head of Aviation role, this position combines the responsibilities of Director of Aviation, Chief Flight Operations Manager, and Principal Aviation Advisor. The incumbent must balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational execution, ensuring that every flight, whether planned months in advance or requested at short notice, is delivered safely, efficiently, and with complete discretion. The role is pivotal to enabling the Chairman's global travel requirements and supporting TVS Motor's international business activities.

Unique Selling Points

1. Build and Shape a World-Class Corporate Aviation Function

Unlike many Head of Aviation roles where the function is already mature and highly structured, this role provides the opportunity to shape the long-term strategy, operating model, governance, and future direction of TVS Motor's corporate aviation function.

2. Direct Exposure to Promoter Leadership and Strategic Decision-Making

The successful candidate will work closely with the Chairman, Chairman Emeritus, and senior leadership, supporting highly strategic and confidential travel requirements across India, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. This is not simply an operational aviation role. It is a trusted leadership position requiring sound judgment, discretion, and executive presence.

3. Lead a Diverse International Aviation Operation

The role offers responsibility for a sophisticated aviation operation spanning multiple aircraft, cross-border regulatory environments, and multidisciplinary teams across Singapore and India. The incumbent will oversee pilots, cabin crew, flight operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, airport authorities, OEMs, and aviation service providers, while supporting international missions worldwide.

4. Join a Global Mobility Leader with an Entrepreneurial Mindset

TVS Motor Company is one of the world's leading automotive and mobility companies, operating in over 90 countries. Backed by the renowned TVS Group, the company combines the stability of a well-established multinational with the agility and innovation of a fast-growing global organisation, giving leaders the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Additional Information

TVS Motor Company is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.