Thai Airways is currently hiring, and not just for any position, but the airline is looking for a new CEO and via LinkedIn no less as a job posting revealed this week.
In a rather unconventional job posting, the flag carrier of Thailand (which is still undergoing a reorganization under the bankruptcy court) is looking for a new chief executive to lead to struggling carrier.
It’s extremely interesting that THAI is publishing this position as a general job posting on their LinkedIn page, and I feel it solely serves the purpose of making people think that the old times of buddy-buddy appointments at the national carrier are over (definitely not).
You can access the posting here:
Here is the job description / requirement via Google Translate:
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited wishes to recruit persons to be selected for the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Qualifications of applicants
1.1 General qualifications of applicants
1) Thai nationality (according to the Regulations of the Civil Aviation Board No. 97 on the licensing of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand)
2) Graduated with a master’s degree or higher
3) Experienced in aviation business or related industries
4) Experienced in managing large organizations and hold senior management positions in various cases as defined as follows: For applicants who are current employees of the company Hold position at level 11-13 For applicants from outside the company – Be or used to be an executive in the private sector or state enterprise whose organization has had total sales of not less than 10,000 million baht per year, holding a position not lower than the 2nd ranked executive of the organization (N-1). work and attach the organizational structure including the financial statements or the annual report while holding the position, or – Be or used to be an executive from a government agency at the department level Or equivalent or higher, with a position not lower than the 2nd ranked executive of the organization (N-1) with a certificate from the agency. including the organizational structure to show 1.2 Position qualifications Knowledge, understanding, expertise and experience in managing the business to achieve the objectives (Those who understand the strategic plan and mission of the rehabilitation will be an advantage.)
Experience working with international organizations Responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Company’s performance. To achieve the implementation of the strategic objectives (Strategic Objectives), capital budgets, operating plans (Operating Plans), business rehabilitation plans. (Rehabilitation Plan) Have vision and can apply business ideas to manage human resources Customer Service, Business Law, Financial Management sales and marketing Knowledgeable and able to make good investment decisions in order to make the business grow and be profitable. able to show the highest leadership of the company To represent the public (Public Spokesperson) and create a positive image in the media, industry and related professional associations. leadership Skilled in team management Able to communicate and build a strong team as well as having excellent delegation skills to manage the business towards sustainable growth.
Can lead and motivate employees to build engagement as well as instilling strong corporate culture and values able to build and maintain good relationships with stakeholders especially government agencies and regulatory agencies, rules and regulations able to understand and analyze the situation risk assessment can offer solutions to problems and can see the related effects in the long term Understand the importance of innovation including the concept of using Technology Digital as the core of organizational development flexible Highly adaptable and flexible with an emphasis on success Use English for communication and work at a very good level.
Ethical, exemplary in integrity Work with good governance principles and in accordance with the laws and regulations both inside and outside the company.
Applicants can apply through https://career.thaiairways.com/career/ Admission period Applications are accepted from now on until October 25, 2022. If you have any questions, you can ask for more information via Email at executive.recruitment@thaiairways.com or call 0 2545 1752.
Interesting that according to this job posting the Thai Airways CEO position is by law required to be filled with a Thai national as per the Civil Aviation Authority.
With all the problems that have plagued the airline in the past especially related to corruption/graft it might have been wise to amend this and let a qualified foreigner take the CEO job. Not because I think there are no qualified executives in Thailand but the airline has unfortunately been subject to all kinds of frivolous transactions and abuse by management as well as local dignitaries. The airline has pretty much become the personal taxi company for anyone with rank and title in the country until the company essentially went bust in 2020.
I simply don’t think that any Thai person is able to push back on highly influential figures without the fear of being retaliated against, and this allowed corruption at the airline to thrive for decades, with losses mounting until there was no other way for the once proud carrier than a walk to the bankruptcy court.
Current management was able to turn a lot around, shed a large number of employees and uncover a lot of frivolous spending and corruption, many case of which have been referred for prosecution. They did have an acting CEO but now THAI is seeking to formally fill that position.
The Chief Executive is certainly the most lucrative position at the airline (any company really) and in the past, those who were at the helm were definitely able to stuff their own pockets. Questionable procurement, hiring practices, operations, and dodgy local contracts for all sorts of things. It was an open secret that the company was pretty much an ATM and a complimentary shuttle service for executives and dignitaries. Maybe, just maybe, these times are finally behind us.
Conclusion
Suitable candidates of Thai nationality can now apply via LinkedIn to be Thai Airways’ next CEO.
I’m pretty sure that the board already has someone in mind to nominate for that post but to make it appear there is a proper tender in place and the old system on corrupt relationships have ended they elected to actually open a job posting this time. That it’s being posted on LinkedIn is a bit ridiculous. Why not just post it in the Bangkok Post and The Nation (maybe they have done that too, not sure)!?
If one of our readers (we have a very large readership in the Kingdom) becomes the next THAI Chief Executive, the LoyaltyLobby team wishes you the best and all success at your job. You’ll need it!
