Principal - Aircraft Finance & Technical Advisory

ICF is seeking a senior aviation technical adviser to strengthen our aircraft leasing and technical advisory capability.

The role is suited to an experienced aviation professional with deep knowledge of aircraft assets, lease structures, maintenance obligations, technical records and aircraft lifecycle considerations. The successful candidate will have the judgement to challenge assumptions, resolve complex technical questions, translate detailed analysis into commercially relevant advice, direct analytical and delivery teams, and take accountability for the technical quality of client work.

In this role, you will lead fast-paced, complex and recurring engagements across the aircraft lifecycle, spanning leasing, maintenance, appraisals, asset management, technical due diligence and selected expert-witness assignments.

You will have the opportunity to shape ICF’s aircraft technical capability, lead an international delivery team and work across leasing, maintenance, valuation, asset management and transaction assignments.

What you will do

• Lead technical delivery on aviation finance, aircraft leasing, maintenance, valuation support, appraisal and technical due diligence engagements.
• Set the technical and analytical approach on key projects, challenge assumptions and take accountability for accurate, commercially robust and client-ready outputs.
• Lead or directly undertake the most complex elements of assignments where senior technical judgement is required.
• Direct and quality-assure work across lease reviews, maintenance cash-flow analysis, aircraft, engine and inventory valuations, fleet analysis, technical records, lease returns and transaction support.
• Provide end-to-end oversight of key assignments, ensuring clear scope and ownership, appropriate project set-up, disciplined work planning, visible client communications, timely technical review, accurate project documentation and effective management of budget and delivery risk.
• Guide analysts and multi-location delivery teams, resolving technical questions, providing constructive review and strengthening team capability.
• Advise clients on aircraft leasing, maintenance reserves, return conditions, MRO, asset management and aircraft lifecycle matters, resolving or escalating technical and delivery issues promptly.
• Develop, embed and maintain the methodologies, tools, templates and quality standards used across aircraft finance and technical advisory assignments.
• Develop team capability through structured coaching, technical review, practical training and progressive delegation of responsibility.
• Contribute technical expertise to proposals, client development and industry activity.

What we are looking for

• Significant experience in aircraft leasing, lease management, aviation finance, aviation technical advisory, MRO, maintenance planning, asset management, appraisal support or a related aviation field.
• Deep understanding of aircraft leases, maintenance reserves, return conditions, technical records, fleet maintenance obligations and aircraft lifecycle considerations.
• Demonstrated experience leading and quality-assuring complex analysis involving aircraft and engine assets, leases, maintenance cash flows, valuations or technical due diligence.
• Ability to supervise junior team members and multi-location delivery teams, providing clear technical direction and constructive feedback.
• Credibility and confidence to advise senior clients on complex technical and commercial aviation matters.
• Understanding of the requirements of lessors, airlines, lenders, investors and MRO providers in relation to aircraft assets.
• Excellent judgement and attention to detail, with the ability to identify technical risks, analytical inconsistencies and commercial implications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex analysis into clear client advice.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines, locations and cultures.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, inspections and project work as required.

Preferred experience

• Typically 12+ years of relevant experience in aircraft leasing, aircraft appraisal, asset management, technical advisory, or airline fleet and lease management.
• Experience working with aircraft lessors, lenders, investors, airlines, MROs, OEMs or technical service providers.
• Experience with aircraft appraisals, portfolio valuations, maintenance cash-flow forecasting, lease return and redelivery analysis, technical due diligence, asset-backed financing or aircraft transaction support.
• Experience reviewing lease documents, technical records, maintenance status reports, inspection outputs or maintenance-related assumptions used in valuation or transaction work.
• ISTAT Appraiser or ISTAT Candidate status would be advantageous.
• Professional experience in aircraft engineering, CAMO, maintenance planning, technical records or aircraft asset management would also be valuable.
• Experience developing technical methodologies, training materials, quality-control processes or analytical tools.
• Established network and credibility within the aviation leasing, maintenance, aircraft finance or technical advisory community.

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [email protected] for assistance.

About us:

Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor to help solve the leading issues of our day. Smart, compassionate, innovative, committed, ICF employees tackle unprecedented challenges to benefit people, businesses, and governments around the globe. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are committed to creating a culture where we embrace our differences in ideas and identities. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals.

Learn more about what we do and our commitment to inclusion.

The benefits of joining ICF:

Our people at ICF are our most important asset, so we invest in them from the moment they arrive. When you join our team, you’ll have access to a vast array of benefits to help you live your life well.

We offer a hybrid working policy, which will provide you with the flexibility to collaborate in the office, as well as in the comfort of your own home, ensuring you are able to successfully deliver the requirements of your role.

To support you, our employee wellbeing hub is designed to provide highly personalised support across a comprehensive range of wellbeing issues, such as mind, body, finances, community, career programs and HR support.

We enjoy celebrating success, which is why we have a competitive recognition program called ‘You Matter’, which awards points as a ‘thank you’ for your work achievements. These can be spent on a large variety of high-quality items, as well as online or high-street vouchers, all with zero tax payable by the employee.

ICF also offers a range of competitive benefits, which include:

• Single Private Medical Insurance cover with no restrictions on existing conditions.
• Dental insurance and an online GP service.
• 25 days annual leave, plus UK bank holidays (annual leave increases with years of service).
• Pension scheme with 5% of salary employer contribution
• Life assurance paying 4x annual salary and Group Income Protection paying 66% of salary for up to 5 years if you are off work on long-term sick.
• Enhanced parental leave policies, enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental pay.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodations that involve the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.