Principal, Airline Platform Strategy & Enablement

Skyscanner; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Skyscanner in Glasgow is seeking a senior strategy leader to define the long‑term direction of our airline platform, aligning technical capability with commercial goals and growing revenue through airline partnerships. You will architect the integration roadmap, lead cross‑functional workshops, and build business cases that quantify value while setting KPIs and ensuring scalable processes.

Collaborate with data science for demand forecasting, monitor market shifts, and represent Skyscanner in

Qualifications

• Senior strategy or product leadership experience in travel tech.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market analysis to uncover new distribution channels and monetization strategies.
• Architect future platform infrastructure for airline integrations.
• Lead cross-functional workshops aligning engineering, commercial, and operations.
• Develop business cases for major platform investments.
• Establish KPIs to measure revenue and efficiency impact.
• Collaborate with pricing teams to design models and packaging.
• Evaluate standards like NDC and API integrations for differentiation.

Skills

Strategic planning

Job description

You will define the long-term direction for our airline platform, ensuring our technical capabilities align with commercial objectives. This role owns the end-to-end strategy for our global airline distribution infrastructure and is responsible for articulating a clear vision that balances technical feasibility with market demand. You will act as the primary architect of our platform evolution, determining how we integrate with airline partners and optimize our connectivity offerings worldwide. The position requires a strategic thinker who can navigate complex technological landscapes while maintaining a sharp focus on revenue generation and market expansion. You will establish the foundational principles that guide all development and commercial activities related to our airline supply chain. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to scale our platform efficiently while improving partner satisfaction and adoption rates. You will ensure that every initiative taken supports the broader commercial goals of the business and reinforces our position in the travel technology ecosystem.

Key facts

Location: Glasgow

Engagement: Full-time

What you'll do

• Conduct comprehensive market analysis to uncover new distribution channels and monetization strategies for airline platform offerings.
• Architect the future state of our platform infrastructure, outlining the technical capabilities required to support next-generation airline integrations.
• Lead cross-functional workshops to align engineering, commercial, and operations teams on the strategic direction of the airline platform.
• Develop detailed business cases for major platform investments, quantifying potential returns and risks for executive review.
• Establish key performance indicators and success metrics to measure the impact of platform initiatives on revenue and efficiency.
• Partner with commercial leadership to design pricing models and packaging strategies that maximize value for our airline partners.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry standards, such as NDC and API-based integrations, to identify opportunities for competitive differentiation.
• Create enablement materials and training programs to ensure commercial teams can effectively sell and support our airline solutions.
• Monitor competitor activities and market shifts to proactively adjust our platform strategy and maintain industry leadership.
• Collaborate with data science teams to build forecasting models that predict airline supply and demand patterns.
• Drive the documentation of platform processes to ensure scalability and knowledge transfer across the organization.
• Represent Skyscanner in key industry forums and discussions to build thought leadership in airline distribution.
• Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to ensure all platform strategies adhere to regulatory requirements globally.
• Facilitate regular review sessions to assess platform performance and iterate on strategies based on real-world feedback.

Requirements

• You possess a proven track record of holding a senior strategy or product leadership role within the travel technology sector for a significant period.
• You have a deep and comprehensive understanding of airline distribution ecosystems, including Global Distribution Systems (GDS), New Distribution Capability (NDC), and direct connect implementations.
• You have demonstrated the ability to translate highly complex technical requirements into clear business value propositions for stakeholders.
• You have managed large-scale platform initiatives from conception to execution, overseeing multiple dependencies and timelines.
• You hold a strong background in analyzing and interpreting complex datasets to inform strategic decision-making processes.
• You have experience building and maintaining relationships with key airline industry stakeholders to drive collaboration.
• You are well-versed in the regulatory landscapes that affect global airline ticket distribution and digital commerce.
• You have a history of successfully influencing senior executive stakeholders to gain alignment on critical strategic initiatives.

Skills & tools

• Strategic planning

Practical notes

Skyscanner is committed to providing equal opportunities. Please ensure you are communicating with official company channels during your application process to verify recruiter authenticity.