VP/Director, Aviation Leasing in London

Who You’ll Work With

With a global team of c.75 investment professionals across the US, Europe and Asia.

What You’ll Do

The Managing Director, Aviation Leasing, will be a senior leader within AB Car Val’s Aviation Leasing platform, with responsibility for originating, underwriting, structuring and executing complex aviation investment opportunities globally, with a particular focus on EMEA.

This role will play a critical leadership position within the Aviation strategy, with accountability for underwriting major transactions, building and reviewing detailed financial models, mentoring junior investment professionals, and representing the Aviation strategy at Investment Committee.

The role will also contribute to portfolio construction, risk management and strategic direction of the platform and will report to the Principal, Aviation Leasing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the origination, underwriting and execution of large and complex aviation leasing, debt and structured credit transactions.
• Underwrite and approve key aviation deals, including hands-on ownership of transaction analytics and risk-return assessment.
• Build, review and challenge detailed, transaction-level financial models from first principles, including cash flow modelling, stress testing, downside and recovery analysis.
• Provide senior oversight of asset-level, structural, counterparty and jurisdictional risk analysis across aviation investments.
• Prepare, review and present Investment Committee materials for major transactions, articulating key risks, mitigants and return dynamics.
• Actively manage and oversee the aviation portfolio post-closing, including performance monitoring, restructurings and value optimisation initiatives.
• Contribute to aviation sector strategy, market views, pipeline development and relative value analysis.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and development support to Directors, Vice Presidents and Associates within the Aviation team.
• Represent AB Car Val with external stakeholders including leasing platforms, airlines, banks, advisors and joint venture partners.
• Partner closely with Legal, Operations, Risk and Asset Management teams to ensure disciplined execution and governance.

What We’re Looking For

• Significant senior-level experience in aviation leasing, structured credit or asset-based finance within an alternative asset manager, investment bank or leasing platform.
• Extensive track record of underwriting and executing complex aviation transactions and leading deals through Investment Committee approval.
• Advanced financial modelling skills, with demonstrable experience building and reviewing detailed models independently.
• Deep understanding of aircraft leasing economics, asset values, documentation, structures and key risk drivers.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to evaluate complex risk-return trade-offs at scale.
• Proven leadership capability, with experience mentoring and managing junior investment professionals.
• Excellent communication skills, with the gravitas to present to senior stakeholders and Investment Committee.
• Strong academic background with an undergraduate degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Preferred
• MBA, CFA or equivalent advanced professional qualification.
• Established industry network across aviation leasing, airlines and advisory counterparties.
• About AB

We are a leading global investment management firm offering high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional clients, retail investors, and private-wealth clients in major markets around the globe.

With over 4,000 employees across 57 locations operating in 26 countries and jurisdictions, our ambition is simple: to be the most trusted investment firm in the world.

We realize that it's our people who give us a competitive advantage and drive success in the market, and our goal is to create an inclusive culture that rewards hard work.

Our culture of intellectual curiosity and collaboration creates an environment where you can thrive and do your best work.

Whether you're producing thought-provoking research, identifying compelling investment opportunities, infusing new technologies into our business or providing thoughtful advice to our clients, we are fully invested in you.

If you're ready to challenge your limits and empower your career, join us!

All are encouraged to apply.

AB does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status or any other basis that is prohibited by applicable law.

AB’s policies and practices seek to ensure that employment opportunities are available to all employees and applicants based solely on job-related criteria.

London, UK