MANAGER - AVIATION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Advanced Search Group; Manama; On-site; BHD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanced Search Group is seeking a Manager Aviation Business Development to support growth initiatives, attract airline partnerships and strengthen the airport's route network. The role focuses on identifying new opportunities, engaging airlines and contributing to long-term traffic and revenue objectives.

The successful candidate will work with cross-functional teams, prepare strategic proposals, and lead stakeholder discussions to advance commercial aviation initiatives in Bahrain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; master's preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in aviation business development or related sectors.
• Experience working with airports, airlines, or aviation authorities is preferred.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director in executing aviation business development strategies aligned with growth objectives.
• Identify opportunities to expand airline portfolio, routes, and connectivity.
• Translate market insights into actionable airline development strategies.
• Lead development of airline value propositions and route development narratives.
• Build and maintain relationships with airlines, authorities and industry partners.
• Collaborate with Operations, Marketing, Finance to deliver aviation growth initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Project management

Aviation industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Economics, Marketing, or related field

Master's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Manager Aviation Business Development will support the Director to drive strategic growth initiatives to expand aviation-related business opportunities, strengthen the airport s route network, attract and retain airline partnerships, and enhance the airports commercial aviation positioning. The role focuses on identifying growth opportunities, supporting airline engagement, and contributing to long-term airport traffic and revenue objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Aviation Business Development & Strategy

• Support the Director in executing aviation business development strategies aligned with airport growth objectives and commercial plans.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand the airline portfolio, route network and overall connectivity.
• Translate market insights and forecasts into actionable airline development strategies.
• - Support annual business planning and long-term aviation growth initiatives in coordination with Market Research and Finance.
• Monitor industry trends, airline strategies and competitive developments to inform commercial positioning.

Airline & Route Development

• - Support the director in leading initiatives to attract new airlines, destinations, additional frequencies and improved connectivity in addition to retention of existing airlines and service enhancement.
• Prepare airline value propositions, commercial presentations and route development narratives.
• - Lead development of business cases in collaboration with Market Research & Analysis utilizing the data, modelling and forecasting inputs.
• - Assess airline requirements and structure incentive proposals in coordination with relevant internal stakeholders.
• - - Monitor route performance from a commercial perspective and implement actions to improve retention, performance, and sustainability.

Airline & Stakeholder Management

• - Build and maintain strong relationships with airlines, alliance groups, aviation authorities, tourism bodies, government entities, and industry partners.
• - Conduct regular airline performance assessments and propose ways to improve performance
• - Act as the primary commercial point of contact for assigned airline accounts.
• - Lead airline engagement, relationship management, and commercial discussions.
• - Support negotiations on commercial agreements, incentives, and route development opportunities.
• - Conduct regular airline reviews to strengthen partnerships and support long-term retention.

Commercial Performance & Business Delivery

• - Drive achievement of passenger growth, connectivity and airline engagement targets.
• - Identify commercial opportunities to enhance airline performance and route sustainability.
• - Collaborate with internal stakeholders to resolve airline-related commercial issues and improve overall performance.
• - Track route outcomes from a commercial delivery perspective and initiate corrective or growth actions where required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• - Work closely with Operations, Commercial, Marketing, Finance and other airport departments to deliver aviation growth initiatives.
• - Coordinate airline launches, schedule changes and route activation activities.
• - Ensure alignment between airline requirements and airport operational readiness.
• - Utilize market intelligence and forecasts provided by the Market Research & Analysis function to support decision-making and airline discussions.

Industry Engagement

• - Represent the airport at airline meetings, industry conferences and route development events.
• - Promote the airport's value proposition through presentations and engagement with airlines and strategic partners.
• - Identify opportunities to improve aviation business development processes and commercial performance.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor s degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Economics, Marketing, or related field.
• Master s degree preferred.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in aviation business development, airport management, airline relations, or related aviation sectors
• Experience working with airports, airlines, aviation consulting firms, or aviation authorities is preferred
• Strong understanding of airport and airline business models.
• Knowledge of route development principles and aviation market dynamics.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.