Airline Account Director, Apac

**Company Description**
Informa Markets, a division within Informa, creates global platforms for industries. We organise over 500 large-scale branded and transaction-oriented events in 14 specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed annual events where buyers and sellers build relationships, see and show products and do business. We also provide year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads, and we provide data and digital content that supports the flow of knowledge and transactions in markets.
**Job Description** What we’re looking for**:
An individual with proven account management and business development experience who will develop a deliver the airline acquisition strategy for Routes events and digital products within a dedicated region. The role plays a strategic role in strengthening Routes position as the industry leader in route development and network planning.

A clear understanding of airlines, aviation and route development strategies, you will develop detailed account plans for global and regional commercial airlines, delivering customer ROI and supporting the revenue and wider event and digital product KPI’s.

You will be responsible for airline attendance across the Routes portfolio of events and products. Drive the airline engagement within our digital products and platforms via airline profiles, requests for proposals, and help drive airlines C-suite representation within our live content programmes. Additionally, the role will engage with all relevant airline associations, strengthening the brand prominence of Routes throughout the route development and aviation industry bodies.

**Role Accountability and Duties**:

- Develop strategic relationships with relevant global and regional airlines and create a robust strategic account plan for the top 100 airlines within your dedicated region.
- Create an annual airline engagement plan to account manage, develop further business opportunities and guide all defined airline accounts.
- Maintain and strengthen Routes market leading position by attracting relevant representatives and engagement from airline accounts to Routes live events, products and services.
- Meet departmental targets to support annual wider business KPIs and the overall growth of the business.
- Ensure efficient management of data and travel plans, supporting overall programme organisation.
- Maintain an up to date and in-depth knowledge of the aviation and route development industry, as well as the airline carriers commercial & network planning structure.
- Review, analyse and present recommendations from industry information, gap analysis and event attendance on a regular basis to help set targets and direct activity.
- Help to widen the airline engagement at our events and deliver C-suite attendance/engagement with the Routes events, conferences, and digital products, including R360, conference programs and the development of the HAP/VIP program.
- Manage the relevant airline budget to support the strategic and tactical objectives of each event.
- Input and management of relevant data into CRM systems, and deliver relevant and timely reporting against defined KPI’s and budget management.
- Identify, acquire, and manage airline ‘new route opportunity’ requests for proposals.
- Undertake regular airline HQ visits to develop relationships accordingly
- Promote and represent Routes at aviation/association events and industry functions, whilst managing the association relationships as strategic supporters to Routes events and products.
- Carry out any reasonable project work / ad hoc task as requested by senior role.

**Qualifications** What you bring to the team**:

- Proven account management and business development experience within an international business environment.
- Strong understanding of airline network planning process and airline strategies.
- Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and a passion for fostering positive working relationships both internally and externally.
- The ability to interpret market data to use for account/business development purposes.
- Experience of developing and retaining long term strategic relationships and all levels of seniority.
- Budget planning, forecasting, and reporting.
- Outward facing individual with the proven presentational skills and the ability to communicate and engage with existing and new customers at all levels.
- Be able to plan, organise and meet agreed work deadlines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Skilled at managing data and travel arrangements, demonstrating strong administrative and organisational capabilities.
- Proven collaborative skills with both internal stakeholders and external partners and the ability to work with colleagues based overseas.
- Ability to work autonomously as well as being a strong team player.
- Proficient with CRM, data management, analysis, and repor