At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic airline partnerships and shape Heathrow's aviation growth agenda.
- Company: Heathrow, the world's most iconic airport with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and private health insurance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team driving innovation in aviation and enhancing passenger experiences.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in strategic customer management within aviation or similar industries.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Heathrow is a city within a city. And there’s no place like it when it comes to the scale of our ambitions. You’ll be part of a Customer team that drives our profitability across everything from retail, property and airport transport, through to passenger services, forecasting and contracts with airlines. Customer insight is at the heart of what we do, supported by a strong commercial strategy. We have a pioneering agenda for digital, e-commerce and innovation, as we look to transform the way our passengers spend at our airport. We believe the best way to drive growth across our iconic airport is by improving the services offered within it. So although we know generating income is critical to driving our business forward, we’re also passionate about delivering the best possible passenger experience. You’ll help us to get the balance right – not least so we can continue investing in an airport that leads the world.
The Aviation Team sits at the heart of Heathrow's growth agenda, protecting and growing more than £2bn of aeronautical income, strengthening Heathrow's position as the UK’s hub airport and developing the strategic airline partnerships that enable sustainable passenger, network and revenue growth. The Head of Aviation – Airline Partnerships & Engagement is accountable for leading Heathrow's strategic relationships with a significant proportion of the airport's airline customer base, representing approximately half of Heathrow's operational slot portfolio. The role plays a critical leadership position in shaping Heathrow's aviation growth agenda, protecting long-term enterprise value and strengthening Heathrow's position as the UK's leading international gateway.
Working closely with the Aviation Director and senior leaders across Heathrow, the role develops strategies and cultivates senior partnerships with our airline customers that influence capacity deployment, commercial performance and customer outcomes.
Your role will involve:
- Lead Heathrow's strategic relationships with key airline customers, alliance groups and industry stakeholders, influencing long-term commercial, operational and network decisions that support Heathrow's growth objectives.
- Lead complex, high-value discussions with airline executives, balancing commercial, operational, regulatory and reputational.
- Shape Heathrow's aviation strategy through insight into airline market developments, competitive dynamics, alliance priorities and emerging industry trends, providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior Heathrow leadership that embeds voice of the customer into our decision-making.
- Establish the standard for airline account intelligence, ensuring robust commercial, operational and strategic insights are generated and leveraged to inform business decisions and investment priorities.
- Own and continuously evolve Heathrow's Airline Engagement Strategy, establishing governance, measures of success and enterprise-wide engagement frameworks that drive consistency, improve organisational effectiveness and strengthen customer advocacy across the business.
These Skills Are Essential:
- Significant experience leading strategic customer, commercial or partnership portfolios within aviation or similarly complex, customer-centric and regulated industries.
- Deep understanding of airline business models, network economics, commercial drivers and industry challenges.
- Demonstrated experience influencing executive-level stakeholders and leading negotiations involving significant commercial, operational or strategic value.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering sustainable growth, value creation and successful strategic partnerships.
- Proven ability to shape business strategy and deliver organisational outcomes through influence across complex matrix environments.
- Experience operating at the intersection of commercial, operational, regulatory and political considerations, exercising sound judgement in complex and ambiguous environments.
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore. It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.
Our rewards: We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer‑term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.
Working Location: Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.
Sustainable Travel to work: Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities: As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.
Head of Aviation - Airline Partnerships & Engagement in London employer: Heathrow
Heathrow Airport is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets operational excellence. As a Data Governance Lead, you will play a pivotal role in transforming the airport into a digitally advanced hub, supported by competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a commitment to employee growth through varied learning opportunities. With a hybrid working model and a strong focus on inclusivity, Heathrow fosters a culture that values diverse talent and promotes sustainable practices, making it an attractive place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Aviation - Airline Partnerships & Engagement in London
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
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✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Heathrow.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Aviation - Airline Partnerships & Engagement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Heathrow, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Heathrow and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Heathrow. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heathrow
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Heathrow.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Heathrow.
