Manager IFE Operations (UAE Nationals)

Etihad food group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced IFEC Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day IFEC and logistics, manage vendor contracts, and drive cost-efficient initiatives across the fleet.

You will implement SOPs, manage on-time delivery of media updates, and lead cross-cultural teams while coordinating training for cabin crew on IFEC platforms. Role involves travel to industry events as needed.

Qualifications

• Must have at least five years’ experience in In-flight Entertainment & connectivity (either with an airline or with an IFE supplier/vendor).
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments is required; media experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement SOPs and manuals for IFEC operations and logistics to ensure governance.
• Manage IFEC vendors at EY account manager level to meet SLAs and rectify issues.
• Represent IFEC in engineering meetings to influence guest experience initiatives.
• Control IFEC operational costs, verify invoices, and manage purchase orders.
• Oversee IFEC stock, headsets, and collateral supply chain and procurement.
• Generate weekly/monthly reports on usage, performance and costs for senior management.
• Communicate IFEC programme launches to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with new IFEC initiatives including on-site testing and rollout with vendors.
• Draft training requirements and ensure cabin crew are trained on IFEC platforms.
• Conduct research, benchmarking and tender documentation; travel may be required.

Job description

Manage the day-to-day operations and logistics of the IFEC department including media and software updates, headset logistics, IFEC vendor management and contract administration.

Accountabilities

• Create and implement SOPs and manuals for IFEC operations and logistics to ensure adherence to “best practices” and corporate governance.
• Manage in-flight entertainment and connectivity vendors at EY account manager level on day-to-day basis to ensure they comply with contracted SLAs and take timely action to rectify technical issues.
• Represent the IFEC department technical and engineering meetings to consult, influence, negotiate and prioritise “guest experience” initiatives.
• Manage the IFEC department’s operational costs by ensuring all expenses are in line with the approved budgets. Duties include verification of invoices from hardware vendors, creation of purchase orders and goods received notices.
• Manage IFEC stock, headsets and print collateral supply chain including stock levels, reordering, refurbishment and contract management to ensure adequate items are available for operational needs.
• Generate timely weekly/monthly financial, technical and stock reports on usage and performance for senior management and ancillary reporting teams. Identify trends and provide immediate corrective action and long-term technical solutions as necessary in consultation with stakeholders.
• Communicate launch of IFEC programmes and initiatives in a timely manner to all internal and external stakeholders affected.
• Assist line-manager in implementation of new IFEC product initiatives for current and future fleet including on-site testing and roll-out. Negotiate, adjust and manage programme timelines with vendors and OMPC to meet programme deadlines.
• Draft training requirements and documentation in coordination with the Service and Delivery teams and ensure effective training of cabin crew on the various IFEC platforms, products and services.
• Conduct research, benchmarking and IFEC product analysis and help create tender documentation and business cases. This may involve overseas travel and attendance at industry expos and conferences.

Job Description

Synopsis

Manage the day-to-day operations and logistics of the IFEC department including media and software updates, headset logistics, IFEC vendor management and contract administration.

Accountabilities

• Create and implement SOPs and manuals for IFEC operations and logistics to ensure adherence to “best practices” and corporate governance.
• Manage in-flight entertainment and connectivity vendors at EY account manager level on day-to-day basis to ensure they comply with contracted SLAs and take timely action to rectify technical issues.
• Represent the IFEC department technical and engineering meetings to consult, influence, negotiate and prioritise “guest experience” initiatives.
• Manage the IFEC department’s operational costs by ensuring all expenses are in line with the approved budgets. Duties include verification of invoices from hardware vendors, creation of purchase orders and goods received notices.
• Manage IFEC stock, headsets and print collateral supply chain including stock levels, reordering, refurbishment and contract management to ensure adequate items are available for operational needs.
• Generate timely weekly/monthly financial, technical and stock reports on usage and performance for senior management and ancillary reporting teams. Identify trends and provide immediate corrective action and long-term technical solutions as necessary in consultation with stakeholders.
• Communicate launch of IFEC programmes and initiatives in a timely manner to all internal and external stakeholders affected.
• Assist line-manager in implementation of new IFEC product initiatives for current and future fleet including on-site testing and roll-out. Negotiate, adjust and manage programme timelines with vendors and OMPC to meet programme deadlines.
• Draft training requirements and documentation in coordination with the Service and Delivery teams and ensure effective training of cabin crew on the various IFEC platforms, products and services.
• Conduct research, benchmarking and IFEC product analysis and help create tender documentation and business cases. This may involve overseas travel and attendance at industry expos and conferences.

Qualifications

Must have at least five years’ experience in the field of In-flight Entertainment & connectivity (either with an airline or with an IFE supplier/vendor); experience working in cross-cultural environments and media experience an advantage.

Role close date: 10th November 2026

Additional Information

Etihad Airways is more than the UAE’s national airline - we’re shaping the future of global aviation. From our hub in Abu Dhabi, we connect people across continents and cultures, while driving our “Journey 2030” ambition to double our fleet, expand our network and grow our people for a new era of excellence. Join us and become part of a vision where the world is your workplace and extraordinary experiences take flight.

To learn more visit www.etihad.com