At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in airport hospitality, driving strategy and operational excellence.
- Company: Join No1 Lounges, a top UK airport hospitality provider with a focus on guest experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full P&L accountability, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of airport lounges and enhance travel experiences for millions.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in aviation or hospitality with proven P&L management.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation, inclusion, and exceptional service.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
No1 Lounges is a leading airport hospitality provider in the United Kingdom, operating a network of premium airport lounges through a joint venture between Airport Dimensions and Swissport. The brand portfolio includes No1 Lounges, Clubrooms, and My Lounge, offering tailored propositions for different passenger needs, from all-inclusive premium dining to relaxed, pay-as-you-go experiences. No1 Lounges welcomes millions of travellers each year across major UK airports, combining excellent service, quality food and beverage, and comfortable spaces that enhance the airport journey. As a joint venture, No1 Lounges brings together Swissport's operational expertise with Airport Dimensions' global brand and commercial capabilities to create a customerācentric and commercially sustainable proposition.
The Managing Director leads the No1 Lounges Joint Venture, driving strategic, operational, and financial performance across all UK lounges. This role carries full P&L accountability and is responsible for delivering growth, operational excellence, and a worldāclass guest experience.
Key Focus Areas- Lead overall strategy, operations, and financial outcomes across the JV.
- Partner with shareholders and the JV Board to align goals and deliver sustainable growth.
- Build a highāperforming, peopleāfirst culture that promotes accountability, development, and inclusion.
- Optimize lounge operations to maximize commercial performance while ensuring outstanding guest experiences.
- Oversee compliance with all regulatory, airport, and shareholder requirements.
- Maintain consistent service standards, embedding continuous improvement through guest feedback and operational KPIs.
- Manage full P&L, budgets, and forecasts to achieve revenue and margin targets.
- Ensure robust financial governance, reporting, and covenant compliance.
- Lead transformation and digital initiatives that strengthen scalability and transparency.
- Champion service excellence, ensuring No1 Lounges sets the benchmark for hospitality quality and innovation.
- Develop new digital and technologyāled solutions to enhance guest engagement and improve efficiencies.
- Build strategic partnerships with airports, airlines, and corporate clients to expand and strengthen the JV portfolio.
- Maximize asset performance through ongoing review, reinvestment, and repositioning.
- Manage relationships with airport landlords, identifying opportunities for portfolio growth and renewal.
- Lead capital investment cases and business transformation programmes aligned with shareholder priorities.
- Senior leadership background in aviation, hospitality, or travel.
- Proven P&L ownership with experience managing largeāscale operations (Ā£40m+ budgets).
- Boardālevel or JV leadership experience with multiāstakeholder alignment.
- Strong people leadership, financial acumen, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Track record of driving operational transformation and service innovation.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, commercially astute leader who blends vision with operational rigour. They inspire teams, build lasting relationships, and deliver exceptional results in dynamic, multiāstakeholder environments. With a focus on innovation, inclusion, and guest experience, they position No1 Lounges as the UK's leading airport hospitality brand.
In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need any extra support throughout the interview process, then please email us at ukrecruitment@collinsongroup.com.
Seniority level: ExecutiveEmployment type: Fullātime
Job function: Management, Hospitality
Managing Director (No1 Lounges JV with Airport Dimensions & Swissport) in London employer: Airport Dimensions
Contact Detail:
Airport Dimensions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Managing Director (No1 Lounges JV with Airport Dimensions & Swissport) in London
āØTip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aviation and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
āØTip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research No1 Lounges and understand their operations, values, and recent developments. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around operational excellence and guest experience.
āØTip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you've built high-performing teams and driven transformation in previous roles. Use specific examples that highlight your people-first approach and ability to manage P&L effectively.
āØTip Number 4
Donāt forget to apply through our website! Itās the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youāre genuinely interested in joining the No1 Lounges team and contributing to their mission of delivering exceptional guest experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director (No1 Lounges JV with Airport Dimensions & Swissport) in London
Some tips for your application š«”
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in aviation, hospitality, or travel. We want to see how your background aligns with the Managing Director role and the unique challenges of leading No1 Lounges.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Weāre looking for someone who can inspire teams and drive operational excellence. Use your application to share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed P&L, and delivered exceptional results in previous roles.
Highlight Innovation and Customer Experience: Since this role is all about enhancing guest experiences, donāt forget to mention any innovative solutions or strategies youāve implemented in the past. We love seeing how candidates have improved customer engagement and service quality.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. Itās the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure youāre considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airport Dimensions
āØKnow Your Numbers
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on P&L statements, budgets, and forecasts related to large-scale operations. Be ready to discuss how you've managed significant budgets in the past and how you can apply that experience to drive growth at No1 Lounges.
āØShowcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong people leadership skills. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of accountability and inclusion. Think about specific instances where your leadership made a tangible difference in operational excellence or guest experience.
āØUnderstand the Customer Experience
No1 Lounges prides itself on exceptional service. Familiarise yourself with their offerings and think about how you can enhance guest engagement through innovation. Be prepared to share ideas on digital solutions or partnerships that could elevate the customer experience.
āØAlign with Stakeholders
Since this is a joint venture, understanding stakeholder alignment is crucial. Research Airport Dimensions and Swissport, and be ready to discuss how you would partner with them to achieve shared goals. Highlight your experience in managing multi-stakeholder environments and how you can navigate those dynamics effectively.