Director of Airline Partnerships

Info Resume Edge; Dubai; On-site; AED 1,500,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Info Resume Edge is seeking a senior leader to drive airline partnerships in the UAE region. The role focuses on strategic collaborations, contract negotiations, and revenue growth with global airline carriers.

The successful candidate will manage cross-functional teams and negotiate complex agreements, while monitoring market trends and partner performance to ensure strategic alignment and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Aviation Management or related field.
• 8 years of experience in the airline travel or aviation sector with a focus on strategic partnerships or business development.
• Proven experience 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.

Responsibilities

• Identify evaluate and negotiate partnership opportunities with airline carriers globally.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key airline partners for collaboration and issue resolution.
• Lead negotiations for interline agreements codeshare and joint ventures.
• Develop and execute strategies that drive revenue through airline partnerships including cross-promotions and bundled offerings.
• Work with sales marketing operations network planning and legal teams to ensure seamless execution of partnership programs.
• Monitor industry trends competitor activity and market opportunities to inform strategic decisions.
• Establish KPIs and monitor partner performance and suggest improvements.
• Develop and manage budgets related to airline partnerships and provide forecasting and reporting to executives.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Relationship management

Negotiation

Financial acumen

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Aviation Management or related field

Masters degree preferred

Tools

GDS / NDC knowledge

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 longterm 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 crosspromotions shared marketing initiatives and bundled service offerings.

• CrossFunctional 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 crosscultural environment.

• Knowledge of airline distribution systems (GDS NDC etc.) and commercial aviation standards.

• Familiarity with loyalty programs and frequent flyer partnerships is a plus.