Head of Strategy & Alliances Commercial, Network & Strategy · Viladecans - Barcelona

Welcome to this recruitment process with Vueling!

Applying is your first step to having the opportunity to join the first Top Employer airline in Europe. We hope the information you find here encourages you to apply so we can get to know you and stay connected.

Let's start by getting to know us better!

At Vueling, we love things to happen. We always do our best to go one step further and do it better. We invite our people to celebrate their unique strengths, work as a team to overcome challenges and achieve their goals for the greater good.

Our team is made of great professionals. Great and passionate people who collaborate, support and complement each other's skills.

We are one of Europe's leading low-cost airlines, with special relevance in the Spanish domestic market, as well as in France and Italy.

Job Purpose

Drive Vueling’s long-term success by leading the Strategy Department, shaping market strategies, and coordinating the business planning process in alignment with IAG. Lead key strategic initiatives and manage our alliances —both within the IAG Group and beyond—to enhance connectivity, expand market reach, and create sustainable competitive advantages.

Main Accountabilities

1. Clearly defined strategy at the corporate level and in the markets we decide to operate.
2. Resources allocated to Vueling to deliver its ambition.
3. Ambitious but achievable targets for Vueling to ensure its long-term success.
4. Vueling takes one-off opportunities for market expansion and increased reach.
5. Well-informed team and Vueling overall to take the right strategic decisions.
6. Established partnerships that lead to expanded route options and increased passenger traffic.
7. Make the department a better place to work.

Main Responsibilities - Tasks

1. Collaborate in market and competitive strategy, to ensure long-term sustainability of Vueling overall and in the markets where we decide to compete.
2. Represent the interests of Vueling in IAG’s Capital Allocation Process, which results in CAPEX allocation decisions and is fundamental for Vueling to deliver its plan.
3. Oversee the business planning process, ensuring annual and multi-year plans reflect Vueling’s strategic goals and ambition, aligned with IAG.
4. Lead special projects – including but not limited to possible M&A activity and slot remedy processes – to help Vueling deliver its ambition.
5. Monitor and assess industry trends as well as our key competitors, guiding the strategy team to proactively address external factors.
6. Negotiate and manage strategic alliances and partnerships, to expand the airline’s global reach and enhance its competitive positioning through beneficial agreements.
7. Organize and manage the team, promoting their development, teamwork, and communication between their collaborators and the rest of the Company.

Main Relationships

1. Network Planning: Partners closely to define long-term market growth and expansion, ensuring synchronized planning and capacity alignment.
2. Finance Department: Collaborates mainly on the business planning process.
3. Operations Planning and Fleet Planning: Collaborates on the business planning process and strategic projects, ensuring alignment of resources with strategic goals.
4. Commercial Business Insights Team: Collaborates mainly on the business planning process.
5. IAG Strategy Team: Works closely to align on joint objectives within the group while balancing Vueling’s autonomy in strategy development.
6. External Consultants: Collaborates for specialized market insights and data support on selected projects.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, economics, engineering, or a related analytical field.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years – and ideally 10 years – of experience in strategic roles, preferably within a blend of management consulting, corporate strategy, and/or relevant airline industry exposure.

Competencies

1. Expertise in corporate strategy, competitive analysis, and strategic planning (aviation experience preferred but not mandatory).
2. Understanding of airline market regulations and competitive dynamics (can be learned on the job).

Languages

Fluency C1 in English and Spanish.

Location

Viladecans, Barcelona.

Level

People manager 3.

We are the only Top Employer airline in Europe

For the second year running, Vueling is the only European airline and the only low-cost airline in the world to obtain this certification. The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellbeing and more.

Our Culture

We thrive on teamwork and collaboration. Joining our team means being part of a cohesive unit that works together, shares knowledge, and supports each other.

Our positive working atmosphere is unique and essential to our productivity and growth. You'll be surrounded by diverse and dynamic professionals. We are passionate about what we do: Connecting People and Places!