Finance Manager - Aviation Leasing

Our client is a billion-dollar integrated solutions company in the aviation space serving thousands of customers, including airlines, aerospace manufactures, maintenance, repair, and MRO providers.

Our client is seeking a strategic and analytically driven Finance Manager, Aviation Investment & Leasing to support investment underwriting, aircraft leasing strategy, capital structuring, trading economics, debt financing, and portfolio performance optimization. This is an individual contributor role that requires a strong combination of aviation market expertise, advanced financial modeling capabilities, accounting knowledge, and an understanding of treasury, capital markets, and investment processes. The ideal candidate will bring a highly analytical approach and the ability to translate complex financial and market data into sound investment and portfolio management decisions.

Responsibilities

Accounting & Process Oversight

Partner closely with the accounting team to ensure accurate lease classification, including operating and finance leases, as well as proper revenue recognition for basic and supplemental rent.

Oversee depreciation, impairment analysis, and other accounting considerations related to the aircraft portfolio.

Coordinate the monthly close process and ensure timely, accurate, and complete financial reporting.

Provide support and guidance on technical accounting matters related to aircraft acquisitions, dispositions, and trading transactions.

Partner with the tax function to evaluate tax implications, optimize tax planning strategies, and support informed investment decisions.

Enhance internal controls, reporting processes, and financial governance surrounding aircraft leasing and trading activities.

Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Maintain a strong understanding of global lease accounting requirements, including ASC 842 and IFRS 16.

Investment Strategy & Portfolio Management

Lead asset-level and portfolio-level investment analysis, including unlevered and levered IRR, NPV, cash yield, lease rate factors, MOIC, and other key investment return metrics.

Analyze market conditions, fleet demand, aircraft lifecycle trends, and leasing cycles to inform investment strategy and portfolio decisions.

Evaluate investment returns across various lease structures, financing alternatives, capital scenarios, and after-tax return profiles.

Assess credit risk, counterparty exposure, and overall transaction risk as part of the investment underwriting process.

Monitor lease performance, portfolio cash flow stability, asset utilization, and aircraft residual value trends.

Provide actionable insights and recommendations to optimize portfolio performance and maximize risk-adjusted returns.

Financial Modeling, Treasury & Capital Structure

Build, maintain, and audit sophisticated financial models incorporating debt structures, tax considerations, maintenance cash flows, operating assumptions, and scenario/stress testing.

Demonstrate advanced Excel capabilities and serve as a resource for developing and mentoring team members on financial modeling best practices.

Evaluate and structure financing alternatives, including senior and subordinated secured debt, warehouse facilities, ABS structures, term debt, and equity partnerships with upside-sharing mechanisms.

Partner with corporate treasury to develop funding strategies, manage liquidity considerations, and support refinancing initiatives.

Analyze capital structure efficiency and recommend strategies to optimize financing costs, cash flow, and shareholder value.

Evaluate the financial impact of alternative capital structures and funding strategies across the investment portfolio.

Leadership & Other Responsibilities

Prepare executive-level financial and investment reporting, including presentations and materials for senior leadership and investment committees.

Present investment recommendations, portfolio performance, and financial analysis to executive leadership and other key stakeholders.

Mentor, develop, and provide guidance to high-performing finance and investment professionals.

Support cross-functional strategic initiatives and perform other duties and special projects as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; MBA and/or CPA preferred.

6+ years of progressive experience in aviation finance, aircraft leasing, structured finance, investment management, or a closely related field.

Deep understanding of aircraft leasing economics, investment cycles, asset valuation, and secondary market dynamics.

Advanced financial modeling skills, with exceptional proficiency in Excel and/or specialized financial modeling platforms.

Strong knowledge of lease accounting standards, including ASC 842 and IFRS 16.

Demonstrated experience evaluating, underwriting, and executing complex investment and financing transactions.

Strong understanding of debt structures, capital markets, and alternative financing solutions.

Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable investment recommendations.

Strong executive presence, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to work effectively across accounting, tax, treasury, investment, and senior leadership functions.