Job Title: Aviation Partnerships Unit Head
Sector: Tourism
Department: International Operations
Section: Aviation, Cruise & Global Partnerships
Direct Manager: Aviation, Cruise & Global Partnerships Section Head
Job Purpose:
Manage the Partnerships team to deliver on global partnerships with travel intermediaries and increase air accessibility into Abu Dhabi in collaboration with aviation companies. Develop the vision, strategy and roadmap for the Partnerships team in order to tie up successful partnerships with global travel intermediaries and to drive up accessibility through aviation partners. Ensure alignment and collaboration with internal teams and government bodies to successfully deliver established targets.
A successful candidate should be able to understand the travel and tourism industry; develop global partnerships with aviation, travel intermediaries and partners; and ensure successful execution of all tactical activities.
Key Accountabilities:
Strategy and Work Plans
- Develop the overall strategy, business plans and framework for the Partnerships team, and ensure successful execution in alignment with expected targets.
- Build a strategy and roadmap to expand supply into Abu Dhabi airport, aiming to increase the overall number of hotel guests and nights through commercial and charter flights.
- Manage the comprehensive execution of all aviation and travel intermediaries’ work plans in liaison with relevant internal sections/departments and overseas offices, aligning with established timelines and budgets.
- Ensure robust evaluation and tracking mechanism of activities are in place to aid future planning.
Benchmarking and Analytics
- Expand the understanding of travel and aviation industries to successfully target key partners internally and globally.
- Direct the team in conducting benchmark exercises with top global competitors to ensure alignment and draw best practices in the market.
- Review research results and analyses on trends within travel and aviation industries to identify new opportunities and address potential issues.
Representation and Liaison
- Liaise with aviation companies, travel intermediaries, and key partners to support in developing a comprehensive strategy and work plans in order to meet established targets, and to achieve building a sustainable tourism future for Abu Dhabi.
- Work with Abu Dhabi Airports Company and International Offices’ regional managers to plan and target increasing the capacity of aviation seats into Abu Dhabi.
- Manage partnerships’ contacts and profiles, and ensure that all contacts are placed in the E-CRM system.
- Represent DCT at relevant events to strengthen existing partnerships and build new partnerships with key stakeholders from travel and aviation industries.
Budget Management and Administration
- Manage the overall budget specified for the Partnerships team, and ensure effective optimization of the budget, aligning with established plans and demands.
- Establish budget forecasts for all projects, and determine overall outcomes of all partnerships.
- Manage and explore revenue generation plans, and identify cost reduction opportunities.
- Prepare reports on projects, illustrating achievements, challenges, budget utilizations, recommendations, and future plans.
- Work with Legal, Supply Management and Finance departments to ensure direct agreements, contracts and payments are submitted as per agreed timelines.
Qualification (e.g. Academic Qualification, Certifications, Licenses)
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Tourism, Marketing or equivalent
Experience
- At least 6 – 8 years of experience in tourism and travel industry, preferably, having worked in a partnerships’ role and/or in an aviation firm. Strong understanding of Marketing, Tourism Management and the Aviation Industry are essential.
Critical Skills
- Strategic decision making: ability to make timely decisions, and explain decisions to ensure commitment and execution.
- Effective organizing and planning skills: ability to create and keep deadlines; set and meet goals, manage schedules, and think strategically.
- Industry and global perspective: ability to seek out industry and global best practices and identify ways to integrate them to improve the quality of service and overall performance.
- Problem-solving skills: ability to analyse problems, identify alternative solutions, anticipate consequences, and provide recommendations.
- Building relationships: ability to proactively build positive personal and organizational relationships and long-term strategic alliances, networks and partnerships to ensure effective delivery of objectives. Help the team to develop and build effective relationships.
- Excellent public speaking and communications skills: ability to draft written documents and prepare oral presentations.
- Strong technical and IT skills: ability to gather and interpret data; ability to utilise computer technology; & ability to use applications and software.
- Adaptability and flexibility: ability to cope with changing circumstances and environments, and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
