Director of Airline Partnerships

Job Description

• • Key Responsibilities:
    • Strategic Partnership Development:
      Identify, evaluate, and negotiate partnership opportunities with airline carriers globally to enhance business value and expand our route and service offerings.
    • Relationship Management:
      Build and maintain long-term, productive relationships with key airline partners, ensuring collaboration, performance tracking, and issue resolution.
    • Contract Negotiation:
      Lead negotiations for interline agreements, codeshare, and joint ventures, ensuring favorable terms aligned with business goals and legal standards.
    • Revenue Growth & Optimization:
      Develop and execute strategies that drive revenue through airline partnerships, including cross-promotions, shared marketing initiatives, and bundled service offerings.
    • Cross-Functional Collaboration:
      Work closely with sales, marketing, operations, network planning, and legal teams to ensure seamless execution of partnership programs.
    • Market Analysis:
      Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and new market opportunities to inform strategic decisions and maintain a competitive edge.
    • Performance Monitoring:
      Establish KPIs and monitor partner performance to ensure targets are met, and recommend improvements where necessary.
    • Budget & Forecasting:
      Develop and manage budgets related to airline partnerships and provide regular forecasting and reporting to executive leadership.
    Qualifications:
    • Bachelors degree in Business, Aviation Management, or related field (Masters preferred).
    • 8+ years of experience in the airline, travel, or aviation sector, with a focus on strategic partnerships or business development.
    • Proven experience in negotiating and managing complex commercial agreements with airline or travel industry partners.
    • Strong analytical and financial acumen.
    • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
    • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
    Preferred Skills:
    • Experience working in a multinational or cross-cultural environment.
    • Knowledge of airline distribution systems (GDS, NDC, etc.) and commercial aviation standards.
    • Familiarity with loyalty programs and frequent flyer partnerships is a plus.