Full-Time

Key Account Manager

Willis Aviation

Willis Aviation

51-200 employees

Leases and maintains commercial aircraft engines

No salary listed

Darlington, UK

In Person

Category
Sales & Account Management (1)
Required Skills
Financial analysis
Excel/Numbers/Sheets

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Requirements
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience within an Airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul environment, ideally in a commercial and operational role.
  • Knowledge of contract management and key account management.
  • Understanding of United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and Part-145 regulations.
  • Experience interpreting customer contracts and ensuring accurate invoicing.
  • Strong commercial and financial awareness.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs and formulas.
  • A full United Kingdom or European Union driving licence.
Responsibilities
  • Manage customer accounts and maintain strong, long-term customer relationships.
  • Review base maintenance activity daily to ensure accurate booking, costs and job categorisation.
  • Prepare and support the production of accurate customer invoices in line with contractual terms and agreed rates.
  • Manage all Base Maintenance, Line Maintenance and Disassembly project recharges, including labour, materials, third-party costs and hangar charges.
  • Work closely with the Sales, Commercial and Finance teams to review and approve invoices before issue.
  • Produce departmental key performance indicators and performance reports.
  • Generate customer statements and manage invoice queries and payment follow-up.
  • Analyse maintenance activity and report on estimated versus actual billing performance.
  • Monitor contract profitability and provide commercial performance reporting.
  • Support the Operations team in resolving commercial queries with customers and third parties.
  • Ensure commercial agreements and contract information are communicated effectively across the business.
  • Support contract handovers and maintain the Contract Register.
  • Participate in customer meetings and production meetings.
  • Coordinate customer representative welfare and administration while on site.
  • Develop and maintain customer satisfaction surveys and monitor feedback.
Desired Qualifications
  • A Levels or equivalent qualification.
  • Experience in a commercial and operational role within an Airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul environment.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work calmly under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
  • A professional, customer-focused approach with excellent interpersonal skills.

Willis Aviation leases commercial aircraft engines worldwide to airlines, OEMs and MROs. It offers short- and long-term engine leases and pooling programs to provide various benefits. The company also provides asset management, engine/aircraft trading, end-of-life solutions, and related support through Willis entities. Its services include Part 145 maintenance, line and base maintenance, disassembly, storage, and airport/ground handling with 24/7 AOG response, aiming to give customers a competitive edge through a broad, integrated engine leasing and service ecosystem.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Novato, California

Founded

1985

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • WLFC reported Q2 2026 lease-rent revenue up 6.7% and AUM at $4.4 billion.
  • Willis Aviation added A320neo capability in 2026, widening narrow-body maintenance demand.
  • Jet2's expanded two-line maintenance commitment filled Willis' new Teesside hangar.

What critics are saying

  • Willis Aviation depends on one Teesside site; fire, labor, or runway disruption stops revenue.
  • Jet2 concentration stays dangerous; losing that contract would hit utilization within months.
  • Heavy hangar capex and WLFC leverage tie Willis Aviation to the engine-leasing parent's balance sheet.

What makes Willis Aviation unique

  • Teesside's Hangar 2 gives Willis Aviation CAA, EASA, 2-Reg, and Cayman approvals.
  • Willis Aviation pairs aircraft MRO with disassembly, storage, handling, and lease-return work.
  • A 2025 Jet2 deal and 250-year Teesside lease anchor scarce UK hangar capacity.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Wellness Program

Commuter Benefits

Employee Discounts

Employee Referral Bonus

Performance Bonus

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Aug 4th, 2026
Willis Lease increases assets under management 21% to $4.4B, shifts strategy to M&A and SPV deals

Willis Lease Finance Corporation reported a 21% year-over-year increase in assets under management to $4.4 billion in Q2 2026, driven by new discretionary fund seeding. Modern engine platforms now comprise 60% of the portfolio by net book value, reflecting a strategic shift towards fuel-efficient technology. The company recognised a $5.4 million loss on debt extinguishment related to capital restructuring and the issuance of $200 million in convertible senior notes. A 3-for-1 stock split was implemented in July 2026 to enhance equity liquidity. Management noted reduced short-term maintenance reserve revenue as customers flew fewer hours on older, less fuel-efficient platforms during elevated fuel pricing periods. The company signed a major engine storage agreement with Pratt & Whitney and expects balanced growth between its balance sheet and Willis Aviation Capital moving forward.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 1st, 2026
Willis Lease Finance signs 5-year Pratt & Whitney engine storage deal

Willis Lease Finance has signed a five-year storage agreement with Pratt & Whitney covering engine storage and lease return services. The deal expands the company's aviation aftermarket capabilities and utilises its Coconut Creek and Bridgend facilities. The contract covers several widely used commercial engine families, positioning Willis Lease Finance alongside major aerospace groups such as General Electric and Rolls-Royce in engine services. The agreement enables the company to monetise existing infrastructure through contract-based work rather than relying solely on engine leasing. The stock currently trades at $71.33, up 59.6% year to date. Earnings grew 16.4% over the past year. The company trades at a P/E of 13x, below the US market P/E of 19.3x.

Associated Press
May 18th, 2026
Leading proxy advisors ISS and Glass Lewis urge Willis Lease Finance stockholders to reject director and pay proposals

Four Tree Island Advisory, a top-10 shareholder in Willis Lease Finance Corporation, announced that proxy advisors ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended shareholders vote against director Stephen Jones's election and the company's executive compensation at the 26 May annual meeting. ISS cited "unmitigated pay-for-performance misalignment" and noted the chairman's base salary is "relatively high" with "outsized and discretionary" bonuses. Glass Lewis questioned "substantial one-off grants" to Charles Willis. Four Tree Island highlighted that whilst revenue grew 160% over five years, EBITDA increased only 89% and SG&A expenses rose 236%. The shareholder also noted Willis Lease underperformed competitor FTAI Aviation by approximately 431% and 629% over three- and five-year periods respectively. Four Tree Island urges shareholders to vote against all proposals except auditor ratification.

Benzinga
May 14th, 2026
Willis Lease Finance prices $200M convertible notes offering and concurrent stock sale for hedging

Willis Lease Finance Corporation, a commercial aircraft engine lessor, has priced an upsized public offering of $200 million in 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2031, up from the previously announced $175 million. The company expects net proceeds of approximately $193.1 million after fees and expenses. The notes will be convertible at an initial rate of 3.7202 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $268.80 per share. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Securities and Deutsche Bank Securities are joint book-running managers. Concurrently, Morgan Stanley is conducting a separate offering of 281,250 borrowed shares at $192.00 per share to facilitate hedging transactions by note investors. Willis will not receive proceeds from this share offering. Both offerings are expected to close on 18 May 2026.

Yahoo Finance
May 8th, 2026
Willis Lease Finance pays $0.40 dividend despite 122% free cash flow payout ratio

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) will trade ex-dividend on 11 May, with shareholders needing to be on the company's books by the record date to receive the US$0.40 per share dividend, payable on 22 May. The company has distributed US$1.60 per share over the past 12 months, representing a 0.7% trailing yield on its current share price of US$225.47. Whilst Willis Lease Finance paid just 7.6% of its profit after tax in dividends, leaving comfortable headroom, the company paid out 122% of its free cash flow as dividends over the past year. This high payout ratio relative to cash flow raises concerns about sustainability, as consistently paying more cash than generated typically requires borrowing or using company reserves.