Aviation Development Manager

Business Development Manager - Aviation Location: Leeds Bradford Airport Job Type : Full time Contract Type : Permanent Salary: Competitive Our client is one of the fastest growing regional airports in the UK, welcoming over4 million passengers through their doors every year. They are committed to employing high quality people who are ambitious to succeed and support their exciting plans for the future, whilst delivering an outstanding service for their customers. They understand that their employees are their most important asset when it comes to providing the best service possible to their customers. They therefore operate with a ONE TEAM mentality, to enable them to DO THE RIGHT THING and ultimately BE THE BEST in what they do. The Role: Turn Data into Destinations – They are looking for a commercially driven, analytically minded professional to join their Aviation Development team. You’ll be the key interface between them and their airline partners, managing relationships with current carriers while identifying and landing new business opportunities. This is your chance to shape the airport’s route network and be a central figure in growing their airline partnerships. Bring Strategy to Life with Insight and Influence In this role, you’ll translate complex data sets into compelling business cases for new routes and airline growth, working closely with our Aviation Analyst. From tracking load factors to capacity trends, your insights will influence decision-making and drive strategic focus. You’ll also lead the development of marketing collateral and promotional strategies to support route growth—working cross-functionally with internal teams, tourism boards, and regional stakeholders. Lead Growth from the Ground Up Whether you're representing them at major industry events like Routes Europe or coordinating with marketing on passenger campaigns, you’ll be at the heart of their growth strategy. You'll help define aeronautical charges, keep the airport’s flying schedule up to date and current, and make sure their route development efforts are visible, data-backed, and commercially sound. If you thrive on turning opportunity into action, this is the role for you. The Person: • Proven experience in a commercial or business development role within the aviation or transport industry would be highly desirable. • Track record of successfully managing commercial relationships, including account management and contract negotiation. • Demonstrated ability to identify and develop new route opportunities through data-driven analysis and strategic engagement. • Strong understanding of airline network planning, load factors, yield management, and aviation market dynamics would be advantageous. • Experience developing marketing and investment materials to support commercial proposals or route development cases. • Knowledge of schedule coordination, slot management, and seasonal planning. • Comfortable acting as the customer interface with airlines and partners at all levels. Skills & Abilities • Strong analytical skills – able to interpret complex aviation data sets (e.g. passenger traffic, load factors, route performance) to identify trends and business opportunities. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills – confident creating and presenting business cases and marketing collateral. • High-level interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and represent the airport professionally in external settings. • Ability to collaborate cross-functionally, especially with marketing, finance, and external stakeholders. Personal Attributes • Commercially focused, with a proactive mindset. • Strategic thinker with attention to both detail and long-term impact. • Persuasive, credible, and professional – with the presence to engage senior airline executives and industry stakeholders. • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and deliverables under time pressure. • Flexible and willing to travel for industry events, airline meetings, and promotional activity. Desirable Criteria • Experience working at or with an airport in a commercial or aviation development capacity. • Understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks, slot coordination, and route subsidies/incentive schemes. • Degree in Aviation Management, Business, Economics, Marketing or a related field. • Familiarity with government or regional economic development stakeholders and funding models. What you will get you in return: • Exciting development opportunities • Lots of opportunities to travel • Annual Bonus Scheme (non-contractual) • Free onsite parking • Electric Vehicle Scheme • Pension scheme • Life Assurance • Brand new shiny, top of the range office • Cycle to work scheme • Free lounge access • Onsite discounts • Friendly work environment • Employee Assistance programme • Genuine career opportunities This is an extremely varied and exciting role working a Monday to Friday working pattern. Applicants must have a 5-year checkable work history and will be required to complete a basic DBS check; in addition, further checks may apply. You may also have experience in the following: Commercial Business Development, Business Development Manager, Business Development Management, Business Development, BDM, Business Development Executive, Field Sales Executive, Field Sales Advisor, Sales Manager, Sales Executive, Account Manager, Account Management, Key Account Manager, Territory Sales, Aviation, Aviation Development, Commercial aviation Development, etc. REF-221 752

Location: West Yorkshire, GB

Posted Date: 6/7/2025