Senior Manager Alliances & Joint Venture

Job Description

Synopsis:

The Senior Manager, Alliances & Joint Ventures plays a pivotal role in shaping and driving Etihad’s global partnership strategy. This position leads the development, optimization, and governance of strategic partnerships and joint venture relationships to maximize commercial value, enhance network competitiveness, improve competitive position and provide seamless guest experience across partner carriers. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, cross functional leadership, and strong relationship management skills.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and drive long term strategies for alliances and joint ventures to enhance network competitiveness and deliver sustainable commercial value.
• Lead strategic discussions with partner airlines on codeshare and interline expansions, joint venture collaboration and other broader commercial cooperation.
• Drive the partnership‑enabled revenue performance across a portfolio exceeding $200M, ensuring connectivity, contractual compliance, SPA optimization, and commercial outcomes.
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and governance of all partnership agreements, including codeshare & SPA contracts, blockspace agreements and joint venture arrangements.
• Ensure regulatory, commercial, and operational compliance across all partnership activities.
• Lead the end‑to‑end development and implementation of new or expanded interline, codeshare and joint venture partnerships, including business case development, project governance, distribution implementation, stakeholder alignment, and joint communications.
• Provide strategic guidance for the codeshare schedule publication process, ensuring schedule correctness, optimal connectivity, and distribution.
• Drive continuous improvement in partnership processes, systems, and cross‑functional workflows and collaboration.
• Oversee tracking, analysis, and reporting of partnership enabled revenue and performance metrics, ensuring insights are regularly communicated to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities to expand partnership value across loyalty, marketing, cargo, procurement, customer experience, and operational collaboration.
• Provide senior‑level recommendations on partnership performance, risks, and strategic opportunities.
• Mentor, guide and educate junior team members, fostering a culture of analytical discipline, commercial thinking, and collaborative problem solving.
• Represent the airline in senior level partner meetings, external steering committees, and industry forums, as required.
• Champion alliance and JV strategy across the organization, ensuring strong cross‑functional alignment and engagement.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Aviation Management, or related field.
• 10 - 12 years of experience in areas of Alliances, Network, Revenue Management, Sales, Marketing, or similar commercial roles within an airline.
• Proven experience in managing complex airline partnerships, joint ventures, or large‑scale commercial programs.
• Demonstrated success in leading negotiations, developing business cases, and managing cross‑functional initiatives.
• Strong commercial and analytical acumen with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into strategic actions.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams and seniority levels.
• Strong project management capabilities with ability to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• High level of professionalism, diplomacy and cultural awareness when working with global partners.
• Advanced understanding of data management systems (e.g. Zenz), Excel and PowerPoint required.

Additional Information

Etihad Airways is more than the UAE’s national airline - we’re shaping the future of global aviation. From our hub in Abu Dhabi, we connect people across continents and cultures, while driving our “Journey 2030” ambition to double our fleet, expand our network and grow our people for a new era of excellence. Join us and become part of a vision where the world is your workplace and extraordinary experiences take flight.

To learn more visit www.etihad.com

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