Airline Account Director, APAC

Informa Markets, a division within Informa, creates global platforms for industries. We organise over 500 large-scale branded and transaction-oriented events in 14 specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed annual events where buyers and sellers build relationships, see and show products and do business. We also provide year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads, and we provide data and digital content that supports the flow of knowledge and transactions in markets.

Job Description

What we’re looking for:

An individual with proven account management and business development experience who will develop and deliver the airline acquisition strategy for Routes events and digital products within a dedicated region. The role plays a strategic role in strengthening Routes’ position as the industry leader in route development and network planning.

A clear understanding of airlines, aviation, and route development strategies is required. You will develop detailed account plans for global and regional commercial airlines, delivering customer ROI and supporting the revenue and wider event and digital product KPIs.

You will be responsible for airline attendance across the Routes portfolio of events and products. Drive the airline engagement within our digital products and platforms via airline profiles, requests for proposals, and help drive airlines’ C-suite representation within our live content programmes. Additionally, the role will engage with all relevant airline associations, strengthening the brand prominence of Routes throughout the route development and aviation industry bodies.

Role Accountability and Duties :

• Develop strategic relationships with relevant global and regional airlines and create a robust strategic account plan for the top 100 airlines within your dedicated region.
• Create an annual airline engagement plan to account manage, develop further business opportunities, and guide all defined airline accounts.
• Maintain and strengthen Routes’ market-leading position by attracting relevant representatives and engagement from airline accounts to Routes live events, products, and services.
• Meet departmental targets to support annual wider business KPIs and the overall growth of the business.
• Ensure efficient management of data and travel plans, supporting overall programme organisation.
• Maintain an up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of the aviation and route development industry, as well as the airline carriers’ commercial & network planning structure.
• Review, analyse and present recommendations from industry information, gap analysis, and event attendance on a regular basis to help set targets and direct activity.
• Help to widen the airline engagement at our events and deliver C-suite attendance/engagement with the Routes events, conferences, and digital products, including R360, conference programs, and the development of the HAP/VIP program.
• Manage the relevant airline budget to support the strategic and tactical objectives of each event.
• Input and manage relevant data into CRM systems, and deliver relevant and timely reporting against defined KPIs and budget management.
• Identify, acquire, and manage airline ‘new route opportunity’ requests for proposals.
• Undertake regular airline HQ visits to develop relationships accordingly.
• Promote and represent Routes at aviation/association events and industry functions, whilst managing the association relationships as strategic supporters to Routes events and products.
• Carry out any reasonable project work/ad hoc tasks as requested by senior roles.

Qualifications

What you bring to the team :

• Proven account management and business development experience within an international business environment.
• Strong understanding of airline network planning processes and airline strategies.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and a passion for fostering positive working relationships both internally and externally.
• The ability to interpret market data to use for account/business development purposes.
• Experience of developing and retaining long-term strategic relationships and all levels of seniority.
• Budget planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Outward-facing individual with proven presentational skills and the ability to communicate and engage with existing and new customers at all levels.
• Ability to plan, organise, and meet agreed work deadlines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Skilled at managing data and travel arrangements, demonstrating strong administrative and organisational capabilities.
• Proven collaborative skills with both internal stakeholders and external partners and the ability to work with colleagues based overseas.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as being a strong team player.
• Proficient with CRM, data management, analysis, and reporting, Excel, P&L analysis, and data visualisation.
• Able to travel extensively – attending overseas industry events and conduct regular headquarter meetings with senior people.

Additional Information

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive, and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the flexibility and trust they receive, and most of us balance time in the office with time working remotely.
• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day, and active diversity and inclusion networks.
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too.
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms, and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves.
• Time out: annual leave plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year.
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares.
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, plus company-funded additional medical cover.
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes.
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world.

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in, and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

At Informa, you’ll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

See how Informa handles your personal data when you apply for a job here .

#J-18808-Ljbffr