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Manufacturing JV Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

  • Hybrid
    • London, Greater London, United Kingdom
  • C-suite

Job description

Our Company


Our mission at Dronamics is to develop innovative solutions for same-day middle-mile logistics and serve the world as the leading cargo drone airline.

We design, build and operate long-range, high payload cargo drones that can carry up to 350 kg (550 lbs) at a distance of up to 2,500 km (1,500 mi) - up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with 60% less co2 emissions vs traditional freight.


At first, it didn't sound possible, but we keep proving it is, which is why we've called it “The Black Swan”. It can land on short and unpaved runways, enabling on-demand point-to-point flights and speedy same-day delivery even to the most remote locations that would otherwise take days to reach over ground or sea.


With the successful first flight of our full-scale Black Swan cargo drone, we have achieved a significant
milestone. Now our focus is on scaling up and establishing operations in the first markets in Europe and beyond


A crucial next stage in our strategy is mass scale manufacturing of Black Swan, and we will do that alongside а joint venture partner at a greenfield aerospace production facility in the GCC region. This facility will be the first of its kind, and will cover the entire value chain of the aircraft production.


The JV team is now looking for a CEO level manufacturing operations expert to lead its development. The newly formed manufacturing JV will deliver aircraft to Dronamics Airline subsidiaries globally.



Job Summary: The CEO of the Joint Venture will be responsible for providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership for the manufacturing JV and will closely coordinate and work with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team. The CEO will play a key role in driving the JV’s growth and ensuring it meets its financial and operational targets.


Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

  • Develop and implement the JV’s vision, mission, and overall direction.
  • Formulate and execute the strategic plan that guides the direction of the business.
  • Identify and manage strategic risks and opportunities.

Operational Oversight:

  • Oversee all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission.
  • Manage and optimize the operational performance of the JV, including cost management, productivity, and efficiency improvements.

Financial Management:

  • Lead the development of financial strategies and oversee the organization’s financial performance.
  • Develop and implement a robust financial management system to monitor the JV’s performance against budgets and forecasts.
  • Drive profitability and manage resources within the agreed budget.

Stakeholder Management:

  • Build and maintain effective relationships with the JV partners, Board of Directors, key stakeholders, customers, and industry leaders. Ensure that both JV partners’ strategic goals are met and foster a harmonious working relationship between all parties involved.
  • Act as a liaison between the JV and its partners, ensuring alignment on key issues and reporting regularly on progress.

Team Leadership:

  • Provide inspirational leadership and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Build, develop, and manage a high-performing executive team capable of carrying out the organizational strategy.

Compliance and Governance:

  • Ensure the JV operates in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Implement and uphold corporate governance policies, risk management practices, and ethical standards.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

  • Regularly report to the Board of Directors on the operational, financial, and strategic performance of the JV.
  • Establish performance metrics and KPIs to monitor progress and hold the organization accountable to its goals.



Job requirements

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as a CEO, plant manager, operations manager or other senior managerial positions.
  • Ability to align diverse interests, manage stakeholder dynamics and effectively collaborate in a complex organizational structure. Previous experience in navigating JV structures is highly desirable.
  • Hands-on experience in setting up greenfield manufacturing operations, implementing lean principles on the shop floor and driving sustainable performance improvements in safety, quality, on-time delivery, cost and inventory.
  • Zero-defect mindset, with experience in industry with strict quality standards (aerospace, automotive, medical devices or similar). Experience in composite manufacturing, aircraft platform assembly and testing is highly desirable.
  • Track record of successfully integrating manufacturing requirements into the design phase, reducing lead times, improving product quality and optimizing cost.
  • Passion for people development and track record in growing exceptional leaders.
  • Extensive knowledge of corporate finance, performance management, and business operations.
  • Strong strategic and business acumen with a track record of driving growth and profitability.
  • Exceptional communication, negotiation, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
  • Ability to inspire confidence and create trust across diverse stakeholders.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Finance with relevant industrial experience, or a related field (MBA or equivalent is preferred) or equivalent experience.


Skills and Competencies:

  • Visionary leadership with the ability to think strategically and develop a long-term plan.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work in a collaborative, multi-partner environment.
  • High levels of integrity and ethical standards.
  • Adaptability and resilience to navigate complex business environments.
  • Ability to navigate the complex priorities of each partner.


Key Metrics for Success:

  • Achievement of operational (safety, quality, delivery) and financial targets (revenue, profitability, cash flow, ROI).
  • Successful execution of strategic initiatives.
  • High stakeholder satisfaction and effective partnership management.
  • Development of a strong organizational culture and leadership team.

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