Manager, Airport Partnerships & Growth

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Manager, Airport Partnerships & Growth

🔹 Company: AirAsia

🔹 Location: Kuala Lumpur - RedQ, Malaysia

🔹 Job Type: Contract, Full-Time

🔹 Category: Aviation Commercial

🔹 Date Posted: April 21, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 3-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Managing partnerships with Indian airports and local authorities
• Negotiating support agreements on behalf of AirAsia Group
• Liaising with key airport stakeholders and ensuring compliance with support schemes
• Tracking, reporting, and communicating support schemes to internal stakeholders
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with airport authorities, local government bodies, and other relevant industry stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the aviation industry, airport charges, and operations, as well as familiarity with India's airport regulations and policies.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Ensure full compliance with support package conditions and advise management and relevant internal stakeholders on terms, processes, and KPIs in a timely manner.

✅ Collaborate with relevant departments to secure deals for new routes and renegotiate terms for existing routes, ensuring the best possible outcome.

✅ Act as the primary contact for airports on partnership matters and coordinate effectively with internal teams for smooth execution.

✅ Maintain and update the partnerships tracker for the specific market, report on monthly progress, and investigate and resolve discrepancies in support receivables.

✅ Regularly review and enhance procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance, and propose improvements when needed.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information to internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A degree in Business, Aviation Management, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in partnership management or related roles, ideally within the aviation sector.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in negotiating agreements with authorities and key stakeholders
• Good understanding of the airline industry, airport charges, and operations
• Familiarity with India’s airport regulations and policies
• Knowledge of partnership structures at key Indian airports
• Proficiency in data analysis to track and report on performance
• Experience with agreement drafting, reviewing, and working alongside legal departments
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite
• Ability to collaborate effectively with commercial, marketing, and finance teams
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with external stakeholders
• Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams, including commercial, legal, and finance
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions
• High attention to detail when drafting and reviewing partnership proposals and agreements, tracking partnership progress, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring accurate reporting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey information to internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues, clients, and key partners

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of a second language, such as Hindi or another Indian language

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is required for this role due to the international nature of the company and the need to communicate with various stakeholders.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Manager role in the aviation sector in Malaysia, the estimated salary range is RM 150,000 - RM 250,000 per annum (approximately USD 35,000 - USD 58,000).

Benefits:

• Medical and insurance benefits
• Maternity expenses
• Flexible work arrangement
• Health and fitness amenities
• Paid time off
• Wellness programmes
• Childcare amenities
• Financial, personal skills, and career growth programmes
• Free flights, unlimited discounted flights, and exclusive discounts with partners
• A unique Allstar culture

Working Hours: Full-time, with standard office hours Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. However, flexibility may be required to accommodate meetings with international stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. The benefits listed are based on the information provided in the job description and may be subject to change.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: AirAsia operates in the competitive and dynamic aviation industry, focusing on low-cost air travel and connecting people and transforming lives in Asean.

Company Size: AirAsia is a large organization with over 10,000 employees, offering a diverse and vibrant work environment with ample opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: AirAsia was founded in 2001 and has since grown to become the world's best low-cost airline for 14 consecutive years, carrying over 800 million guests.

Company Description:

• AirAsia is a world-class brand that wears many hats, including a leading Asean airline, a digital travel and lifestyle platform, and an innovator in the aviation industry
• The company is committed to connecting people and transforming lives in Asean, with a mission to make flying affordable for everyone
• AirAsia fosters a unique Allstar culture that celebrates individuality and encourages employees to be themselves while working together to achieve common goals

Company Specialties:

• Aviation
• Digital
• Business Intelligence & Insights
• Duty Free & Merchandise
• E-Commerce
• Innovation & Technology
• Logistics
• Travel
• Lifestyle
• FinTech
• Aviation Engineering

Company Website: http://www.airasia.com

ASSUMPTION: AirAsia is a well-established and reputable company in the aviation industry, with a strong brand and a commitment to innovation and excellence.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a mid-level management position, offering opportunities for growth and development within the company's partnership and growth strategies.

Reporting Structure: The Manager, Airport Partnerships & Growth, will report directly to the Head of Airport Partnerships & Growth and work closely with various internal teams, including commercial, marketing, finance, and legal.

Work Arrangement: This role is based at the AirAsia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with occasional travel to India and other locations as required.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to senior management or leadership roles within the partnership and growth team
• Expansion of responsibilities to cover additional markets or regions
• Development of skills and expertise in areas such as negotiation, stakeholder management, and data analysis

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in the aviation industry and contribute to the growth and success of a leading airline.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The AirAsia headquarters in Kuala Lumpur is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): Kuala Lumpur - RedQ, Malaysia

Geographic Context:

• Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city of Malaysia, offering a vibrant and multicultural urban environment
• The city is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to amenities, shopping, and entertainment
• Kuala Lumpur enjoys a tropical climate, with warm and humid weather year-round

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with flexible hours to accommodate meetings and collaborations with international stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at AirAsia is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-depth interviews with cross-functional team members
• Final interview with the Head of Airport Partnerships & Growth
• Background check and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Candidates' understanding of the aviation industry and airport regulations
• Negotiation skills and ability to influence external stakeholders
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with AirAsia's values and mission

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the aviation industry and airport regulations in your application materials
• Prepare examples of your negotiation skills and ability to influence external stakeholders
• Showcase your problem-solving and analytical skills through relevant examples or case studies
• Demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment with AirAsia's values and mission in your application materials

ATS Keywords: Airport Partnerships, Growth, Negotiation, Stakeholder Engagement, Data Analysis, Compliance, Aviation Industry, India Market

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should tailor their application materials to demonstrate their unique qualifications and fit for the position.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite is required for this role, as well as familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools to track and report on partnership progress.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion
• Integrity
• Respect
• Teamwork
• Excellence

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Innovative and forward-thinking
• Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a passion for the aviation industry and a strong desire to make a positive impact on people's lives through affordable travel?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborating with diverse teams to achieve common goals?
• Do you have strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence external stakeholders, even in challenging situations?
• Are you committed to maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism in all aspects of your work?

ASSUMPTION: AirAsia values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. However, successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders with varying priorities and expectations
• Navigating complex regulatory environments and compliance requirements
• Balancing short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals
• Adapting to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Working across different time zones and cultures

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require a proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented approach to overcome.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on airport partnerships and growth strategies within the aviation industry
• Compared to related roles in business development or strategic partnerships, this role requires a deeper understanding of the aviation industry and airport regulations
• Career progression in this role may lead to senior management or leadership positions within the partnership and growth team, or expansion of responsibilities to cover additional markets or regions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in the aviation industry and contribute to the growth and success of a leading airline.

📝 Sample Projects

• Negotiating a new partnership agreement with an Indian airport authority to secure support for new routes and increased flight frequencies
• Developing and implementing a tracking system to monitor partnership progress and ensure compliance with support scheme conditions
• Conducting a comprehensive review of existing partnership agreements to identify opportunities for renegotiation and improved terms

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to illustrate the key responsibilities and required skills for this role and may vary depending on the specific needs of the organization.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current partnership landscape with Indian airports and local authorities, and how this role contributes to AirAsia's growth strategies in the region?
• How does this role collaborate with internal teams, such as commercial, marketing, and finance, to maximize the benefit of airport incentives and support schemes?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will my performance be measured against these objectives?
• How does AirAsia support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in this role?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working in this role, and what are some of the unique challenges that the successful candidate will need to overcome?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role, the company culture, and the expectations for the successful candidate.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on your negotiation skills, understanding of the aviation industry, and cultural fit with AirAsia's values and mission
• Prepare examples of your negotiation skills and ability to influence external stakeholders, as well as your problem-solving and analytical skills through relevant examples or case studies
• Demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment with AirAsia's values and mission in your application materials
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the interview process

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.