Kia ora!
Shape the future of Air New Zealand’s fleet at a pivotal moment for our airline. As Head of Aircraft Programmes (Chapter Lead), you will drive outcomes that influence our customer experience, operational performance and long-term competitiveness, while leading a team that delivers some of the largest and most complex investments in Aotearoa.
Air New Zealand is on an accelerated journey to become the world’s leading digital and aviation experience airline. Within the Strategy, Networks and Fleet team, our people are shaping strategic decisions that set the organisation up for long term success. You will join a high performing team that partners closely with leaders across engineering, operations, commercial and customer to bring transformational aircraft programmes to life.
About the role
• Lead the delivery of new aircraft and major upgrade programmes, ensuring each project meets specification, regulatory requirements, and commercial targets.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers including Airbus and Boeing, driving performance, alignment and long term value.
• Champion best practice programme management, ensuring disciplined planning, robust governance, and clear success measures across all initiatives.
• Inspire and develop a high performing team, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner with brand, marketing, customer and design teams to shape future aircraft interiors and onboard propositions that elevate the customer experience.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board, supporting enterprise level decisions on fleet investment and capability.
What we are looking for
• Proven experience leading large-scale, complex development and delivery programmes in a highly regulated environment.
• Strong relationship management skills and confidence influencing at senior leadership and Board level.
• Deep experience managing strategic supplier partnerships.
• Demonstrated success leading professional and highly skilled teams.
• Ideally a relevant university qualification and recognised programme management credentials.
• Aviation industry experience is highly advantageous.
This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of Air New Zealand’s fleet and play a critical leadership role in delivering programmes that shape our customer journey, sustainability ambitions and long-term performance. If you are motivated by scale, complexity and purpose, we invite you to apply.
Applications close midnight 16th December 2025.
Additional Information
At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to their roles.
Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina.
"Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality."
