Head of Commercial Strategic Analytics in Edinburgh

About the role The Head of Commercial Strategic Analytics will lead a high-performing team, from Senior manager to analyst level, responsible for solving Edinburgh Airport’s most complex commercial challenges, providing commercial performance insights and supporting the airport’s most significant strategic decisions. The role combines hands-on analytical leadership with strategic commercial influence. Working closely with the Chief Commercial Officer and Commercial Leadership Team, the role will use advanced modelling, rigorous analysis and strong commercial judgement to shape major commercial deals, investments and long-term strategy. The postholder will have direct involvement in significant airline agreements, retail and food and beverage concessions, car parking and eCommerce strategy, property and surface-access opportunities, commercial performance analysis and major commercial transformation projects. They will also coordinate commercial Business Plan modelling and forecasting alongside Finance. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring the technical capability to build and challenge complex models, the commercial acumen to identify what creates value, and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders. The postholder will remain personally involved in Edinburgh Airport’s most complex analysis, while developing the capability of the wider analytics team and ensuring consistently high analytical standards. About the recruitment process The recruitment process for this role is likely to comprise of 3 stages, depending on the volume of candidates. The first stage interview will be a short, Teams call to meet some of the team and introduce yourself. Following this, successful candidates will be invited to complete an analytical task, and present this to some team members. We will then have an in person team, where you will likely meet some of our wider Commercial team, and key stakeholders that are relevant to the role. More information on each stage will be provided to successful candidates. We are committed to supporting diverse ways of thinking and working, so if you require adjustments in the recruitment process, please let us know on your application. You can find out more about our interview process here. What you’ll be doing Analytics leadership and hands‑on delivery Lead the Commercial Strategic Analytics team of five, spanning Senior Manager to Analyst level, with accountability for the quality, timeliness and commercial relevance of its output. Set and manage the team’s analytical priorities, balancing major strategic projects, commercial decision support and recurring performance analysis. Remain hands‑on in complex analytical work, including personally building, interrogating and challenging models and undertaking detailed analysis where appropriate. Review and quality‑assure key analysis produced by the team, ensuring assumptions, methodologies and conclusions are robust and clearly evidenced. Establish consistent analytical standards, modelling practices and quality controls across the team. Ensure analysis moves beyond reporting what has happened to explaining why it happened, what it means commercially and what action should be taken. Develop scalable analytical tools, models and approaches that improve the speed and quality of commercial decision‑making. Work with Data, IT and Finance to improve the accessibility, consistency and quality of data used by Commercial. Commercial performance and insight Lead analysis of commercial performance across airlines, retail, food and beverage, car parking, eCommerce, property and other commercial income streams, ensuring the Commercial Leadership Team have clear and timely insight into performance, risks and opportunities. Develop appropriate KPIs, analytical frameworks and reporting to support effective commercial management. Identify trends, anomalies and changes in customer or commercial behaviour and translate these into actionable recommendations. Challenge existing reporting and analysis where it does not provide sufficient insight to support decision‑making. Commercial strategy and decision support Support the CCO and Commercial Leadership Team in developing and delivering Edinburgh Airport’s commercial strategy and Business Plan, providing rapid, evidence‑based analytical support and ensuring recommendations combine rigorous quantitative analysis with commercial judgement. Translate complex data and market insight into clear strategic choices and commercially focused recommendations. Identify opportunities to create or protect revenue, profitability and long‑term value. Major deals and investments Play a central role in shaping the strategy and commercial parameters for Edinburgh Airport’s most important agreements, including leading analysis supporting airline contracts, retail and F