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- Tasks: Drive growth by managing airline partnerships and developing new routes at Leeds Bradford Airport.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest growing regional airports, welcoming over 4 million passengers annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy travel opportunities, a bonus scheme, free parking, and a friendly work environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping aviation routes while working in a dynamic and supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in aviation business development and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: Monday to Friday role with exciting career development opportunities and a vibrant office atmosphere.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds Bradford Airport
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive
Leeds Bradford Airport is one of the fastest growing regional airports in the UK, welcoming over 4 million passengers through our doors every year. We are committed to employing high quality people who are ambitious to succeed and support our exciting plans for the future, whilst delivering an outstanding service for our customers. We understand that our employees are our most important asset when it comes to providing the best service possible to our customers. We therefore operate with a ONE TEAM mentality, to enable us to DO THE RIGHT THING and ultimately BE THE BEST in what we do.
The Role:
Turn Data into Destinations. Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is looking for a commercially driven, analytically minded professional to join our Aviation Development team. You will be the key interface between LBA and its airline partners, managing relationships with current carriers while identifying and landing new business opportunities. This is your chance to shape the airport's route network and be a central figure in growing our airline partnerships.
Bring Strategy to Life with Insight and Influence.
In this role, you will translate complex data sets into compelling business cases for new routes and airline growth, working closely with our Aviation Analyst. From tracking load factors to capacity trends, your insights will influence decision-making and drive strategic focus. You will also lead the development of marketing collateral and promotional strategies to support route growth, working cross-functionally with internal teams, tourism boards, and regional stakeholders.
Lead Growth from the Ground Up.
Whether you are representing LBA at major industry events like Routes Europe or coordinating with marketing on passenger campaigns, you will be at the heart of our growth strategy. You will help define aeronautical charges, keep the airport's flying schedule up to date and current, and make sure our route development efforts are visible, data-backed, and commercially sound. If you thrive on turning opportunity into action, this is the role for you.
The Person:
- Proven experience in a commercial or business development role within the aviation or transport industry would be highly desirable.
- Track record of successfully managing commercial relationships, including account management and contract negotiation.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and develop new route opportunities through data-driven analysis and strategic engagement.
- Strong understanding of airline network planning, load factors, yield management, and aviation market dynamics would be advantageous.
- Experience developing marketing and investment materials to support commercial proposals or route development cases.
- Knowledge of schedule coordination, slot management, and seasonal planning.
- Comfortable acting as the customer interface with airlines and partners at all levels.
Skills & Abilities:
- Strong analytical skills able to interpret complex aviation data sets (e.g. passenger traffic, load factors, route performance) to identify trends and business opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills confident creating and presenting business cases and marketing collateral.
- High-level interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and represent the airport professionally in external settings.
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally, especially with marketing, finance, and external stakeholders.
Personal Attributes:
- Commercially focused, with a proactive mindset.
- Strategic thinker with attention to both detail and long-term impact.
- Persuasive, credible, and professional with the presence to engage senior airline executives and industry stakeholders.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and deliverables under time pressure.
- Flexible and willing to travel for industry events, airline meetings, and promotional activity.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience working at or with an airport in a commercial or aviation development capacity.
- Understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks, slot coordination, and route subsidies/incentive schemes.
- Degree in Aviation Management, Business, Economics, Marketing or a related field.
- Familiarity with government or regional economic development stakeholders and funding models.
What we will give you in return:
- Exciting development opportunities
- Lots of opportunities to travel
- Annual Bonus Scheme (non-contractual)
- Free onsite parking
- Electric Vehicle Scheme
- Pension scheme
- Life Assurance
- Brand new shiny, top of the range office
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free lounge access
- Onsite discounts
- Friendly work environment
- Employee Assistance programme
- Genuine career opportunities
This is an extremely varied and exciting role working a Monday to Friday working pattern. Applicants must have a 5-year checkable work history and will be required to complete a basic DBS check; in addition, further checks may apply.
Business Development Manager - Aviation employer: JobFlurry
Contact Detail:
JobFlurry Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Aviation
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the aviation industry, especially regarding route development and airline partnerships. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the aviation sector, particularly those involved in business development and airline management. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections that could provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed commercial relationships or identified new business opportunities in previous roles. This will showcase your relevant experience and ability to contribute to our growth strategy.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Leeds Bradford Airport's current routes and partnerships. Understanding our existing operations will allow you to propose innovative ideas and demonstrate your commitment to enhancing our route network during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Aviation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in business development, particularly within the aviation or transport industry. Emphasise your skills in managing commercial relationships and any specific achievements related to route development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your understanding of Leeds Bradford Airport's goals and how your background aligns with their needs. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to turn data into actionable insights.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully interpreted complex data sets in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with load factors, yield management, or market dynamics that would be relevant to the role.
Highlight Interpersonal Skills: Since the role involves building relationships with airline partners, make sure to mention your interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or represented your organisation in external settings.
How to prepare for a job interview at JobFlurry
✨Know Your Aviation Data
Familiarise yourself with key aviation metrics such as load factors, route performance, and market dynamics. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage this data to identify new business opportunities and support the airport's growth strategy.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Management Skills
Highlight your experience in managing commercial relationships and negotiating contracts. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully built partnerships in the aviation industry and how you plan to engage with airline partners at Leeds Bradford Airport.
✨Prepare Compelling Business Cases
Demonstrate your ability to create persuasive business cases for new routes and airline growth. Bring examples of marketing collateral or investment materials you've developed in the past, and explain how they contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Exhibit Your Strategic Thinking
Discuss your approach to strategic planning and how you prioritise long-term impact while managing multiple projects. Be prepared to share specific instances where your strategic insights have led to successful outcomes in previous roles.
