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.