Head Of Cargo Development in Manchester

The Role

East Midlands Airport is the UKs largest airport for dedicated air cargo operations and was named Airport of the Year at the 2026 National Transport Awards. Cargo is central to the airports long-term growth strategy, and we are seeking a Head of Cargo Development to lead the next phase of its development.

This is a senior commercial role responsible for shaping and delivering East Midlands Airports cargo development strategy. You will grow import and export demand, strengthen the airports cargo proposition and lead engagement across the East Midlands cargo community. Working with businesses across logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, freight forwarding and international trade, you will build the partnerships and commercial opportunities needed to support sustainable cargo growth.

You will be a commercially astute and highly credible self-starter, able to influence senior stakeholders, translate market insight into deliverable opportunities and represent East Midlands Airport across the UK and internationally.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering a clear cargo growth strategy focused on increasing sustainable import and export demand through East Midlands Airport.

• Building strategic relationships with e-commerce businesses, manufacturers, shippers, freight forwarders, cargo GSAs, logistics operators and trade bodies to understand supply-chain requirements and influence cargo-routing decisions.

• Leading and coordinating the East Midlands cargo community, creating a shared agenda that strengthens collaboration, advocacy and the competitiveness of the regional cargo proposition.

• Working closely with the Head of Aviation to translate identified cargo demand into compelling airline opportunities and support the development of new and existing cargo capacity.

• Identifying infrastructure, property and operational opportunities that support cargo growth, working collaboratively with Property, Operations, Strategy and Finance teams to develop robust business cases.

• Attracting and retaining logistics businesses whose presence at or around East Midlands Airport will generate cargo demand, enhance the airports proposition and support long-term revenue growth.

• Promoting East Midlands Airport and the wider region as a leading international cargo and logistics cluster, representing MAG with government, industry bodies and strategic partners.

• Developing and implementing an effective commercial, sales and marketing plan that protects existing cargo business, creates new opportunities and delivers measurable growth.

What do you need to be successful?

• Significant commercial experience within air-cargo logistics, supply chain, international trade or a related business-to-business environment, with a strong understanding of domestic and international markets.

• A proven track record of developing and delivering growth strategies that convert market opportunities into measurable commercial outcomes.

• Strong knowledge of cargo supply chains and the factors that influence freight-routing, customer-location and investment decisions.

• The leadership capability and credibility to build alignment across a diverse cargo community and influence senior stakeholders within industry, government and partner organisations.

• Strong commercial and analytical judgement, with the ability to use customer insight, cargo-flow analysis and market forecasting to identify opportunities and develop compelling business cases.

• Excellent business-development, negotiation and relationship-management skills, with the ability to represent East Midlands Airport and MAG confidently in the UK and internationally.

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