Summary:

The Vice President, Sales – Europe is a senior individual contributor responsible for originating, structuring, negotiating, and executing aircraft and engine leasing, trading, and sales transactions with airlines, lessors, OEMs, and financial institutions across the European region. Additional accounts in the Middle East or Africa may be assigned as needed. This role drives new business revenue through deep market relationships, strong commercial judgment, and hands-on ownership of complex, high‑value transactions in a competitive global aviation market. The VP, Sales will be a self-starter, capable of independent activity, with the ability to drive opportunities from origination to execution. The successful applicant will always maintain a professional manner in appearance, and through verbal and written communication with the customer.

Responsibilities:

Develop and execute regional sales strategies aligned with WLFC’s growth objectives, including marketing across the full suite of WLFC products and services.
Originate and structure high-value aircraft and/or engine leasing and trading transactions.
Build and maintain strong relationships with assigned airlines, lessors, OEMs, and financial institutions across the European region.
Identify and drive remarketing opportunities for assets coming off lease, optimizing portfolio placement and value.
Evaluate aircraft and/or engine technical conditions, maintenance status, and remarketing potential as part of commercial structuring.
Assess airline financials, credit risk, and risk allocation to support sound commercial and portfolio decisions.
Lead negotiations for LOIs, lease agreements, sale and/or purchase agreements, and related documentation.
Monitor market trends and competitive dynamics across aircraft and engine leasing markets and provide commercial insights to senior leadership.
Deliver compelling marketing presentations and represent WLFC at industry events.
Build and maintain senior-level relationships with assigned airlines, lessors, OEMs, and financial institutions.
Serve as the primary commercial owner of transactions, coordinating closely with technical, legal, finance, and operations teams to ensure smooth execution.
Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and credit assessments to support deal origination.
Collaborate with internal teams (technical, legal, operations) to ensure seamless transaction execution.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Aviation, or related field.
Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial aviation, with experience in a sales role is preferred. Experience working for an OEM, lessor, airline, and/or MRO would be a plus.
Proven track record in originating and closing high-value aircraft and engine leasing transactions, including mid-life assets, or strong technical experience in a leasing company including input into leasing contracts and asset management with customer interaction.
Strong understanding of aircraft and engine technical conditions, maintenance cycles, and residual value drivers.
Demonstrated ability to analyze financials, assess credit risk, and structure transactions accordingly.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills across diverse cultures.
Proactive, results-driven, and capable of independently managing complex transactions without direct people management responsibilities.
Complete fluency in English, written and spoken, required, and a knowledge of languages to include French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish is advantageous but not required.

Travel/Misc.:

Extensive travel required both international and domestic.

Here at Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC), we are dedicated to fair hiring practices and diversity in the workplace. We are committed to a workplace environment that encourages growth and respect for all current and prospective employees based upon job-related factors such as their educational background, work experience, and ability to perform the essential functions of a particular job. It is the policy and practice of WLFC to prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable Federal, state or local law.

WLFC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application processes. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at joinus@willislease.com.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) does not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered WLFC property, and WLFC will not be obligated to a referral fee. This includes resumes submitted directly to any WLFC employee, including Hiring Managers, without contacting WLFC Human Resources Talent Acquisition Department.

VP, Sales - Europe

Job Description