WELCOME TO SITA
At SITA we are a global, diverse team dedicated to innovating and advancing the travel and transport industry. Our focus is on providing meaningful solutions that address our airline clients’ complex operational and commercial needs. As part of our Strategic Growth and Enablement team, you’ll collaborate with industry experts and senior airline stakeholders, helping shape the future of air travel. This is a transformative year as we increase our relevance and expand our presence with airline customers globally.
Ready to redefine air travel? The journey starts here, with you at SITA.
ABOUT YOU
You’re an experienced innovation and strategy professional with a deep understanding of the air travel industry, with a focus on airline strategy, operations and technology. You thrive in complex, high-stakes environments, where you can leverage your expertise to drive meaningful business impact. Known for your clarity of communication, strategic insight, and entrepreneurial drive, you naturally build trust and influence senior executives. You bring a well-rounded understanding of airlines, including commercial, operational (flight and ground), and regulatory dynamics, technology systems, and market and competitive landscapes for passengers and cargo across different regions and airline/airport tiers. You thrive in engaging stakeholders across multiple geographies. Ambitious and self-driven, you excel in thinking critically, analyzing business performance, and delivering recommendations that drive impact at the C-suite level. You’re ready to take on a role that combines high-level strategic vision with the adaptability to drive practical, innovative outcomes. You have experience managing and delegating to more junior employees and are also comfortable conducting pieces of work as an individual contributor.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Senior Manager, Innovation & Strategy, Airlines, you will lead key strategic projects, providing thought leadership and day-to-day project management to drive impact. Your main focus will be aimed at enhancing SITA’s relevance within the airline industry, although you may occasionally work on other strategic topics across the spectrum of the Air Travel Industry. You’ll collaborate with senior stakeholders across multiple business units identifying strategic growth areas, developing product and commercial strategies, and engaging with industry customers and stakeholders at senior levels. You’ll work cross-functionally assessing market needs, build critical business cases, and connecting with industry leaders to elevate SITA’s relevance and position as a strategic partner to airlines and to the broader air travel industry. You will at times mentor and guide more junior team members, and oversee their work on a project basis, while at other times directly output your own work as an individual contributor.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Strategic Leadership & Business Development
- Lead strategic workstreams for high-priority projects in the airline and air travel industry space, working closely with C-level executives and leading or influencing cross-functional teams to drive business growth.
- Develop business cases and growth initiatives tailored to airlines' needs, identifying and prioritizing areas where SITA can deliver value across airline operations and commercial functions.
- Develop business cases and recommendations for new initiatives, products, or partnerships that align with SITA’s strategy and business goals.
Market Insights & Competitive Analysis
- Understand and articulate the airline industry landscape, leveraging competitive insights to position SITA’s offerings strategically.
- Build and present business cases to senior leaders, recommending potential revenue opportunities and investments.
- Evaluate customer needs and SITA’s internal capabilities to build compelling business cases and guide investment priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders, working in a matrix environment to drive collaboration and alignment across teams.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives, helping them navigate complex strategic challenges and identify key business opportunities.
- Leverage organizational resources across regions and business units to support airline-specific initiatives, enabling SITA to increase its relevance and influence with airline clients.
Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience dissecting complex data to identify actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
- A forward-thinking approach with a deep understanding of airline industry dynamics, customer needs, and P&L impact analysis.
- Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate strategic insights clearly and persuasively.
- Proven ability to work independently and manage projects in a fast-paced, matrixed organization.
WHO YOU ARE
- University degree in Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, Management, or a related field.
- 4+ years of post-MBA experience (6+ years post-undergrad) in a top-tier strategy consulting firm with substantial experience serving the airline industry, or 6+ years of experience working for an airline in a strategy, innovation, or similar role
- Proven experience working on multi-stakeholder initiatives in complex environments, preferably with senior-level exposure.
- Deep knowledge of airline strategy, operations, and technology with experience in diverse areas like commercial and operational systems and processes (e.g., flight operations, ground handling, passenger experience, network and fleet management)
- Experience working in a matrix organization, with the ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders and drive projects forward.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to create clear, compelling presentations and recommendations for senior executives.
- Experience with technology solutions within the airline industry and an understanding of operational impact is a plus.
- While the scope is global, MEA or APAC airline experience or familiarity are highly desirable.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
WHY JOIN US
By joining SITA, you will be part of a dynamic team working at the forefront of innovation in the travel and transport industry. You will have the opportunity to work on high-impact projects, collaborate with top-tier professionals, and drive strategic initiatives that shape the future of the industry.
If you are ready to take your career to new heights and make a significant impact, we invite you to apply for the Manager of Innovation and Strategy position. Together, let's redefine the future of air travel and transport.
WHAT WE OFFER
SITA’s workplace is all about diversity, many different countries and cultures are represented in our workforce. We collaborate in our impressive offices, embracing a hybrid work format. As part of our global benefits, we offer:
🏡 Flex Week: Work from home up to 2 days/week (depending on your Team's needs).
⏰ Flex Day: You may wish to flex your arrival time at the office to beat rush hours or leave earlier for personal commitments. We encourage open communication with your manager about your needs and routine.
🌎 Flex-Location: Enjoy up to 30 workdays of benefits, anywhere in the world!
🌿 Employee Wellbeing: Benefit from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by SITA, a yearly free service offering practical advice in various aspects of your life.
🚀 Professional Development: Enhance your skills with our training platforms, inclusive of LinkedIn Learning!
🙌🏽 Competitive Benefits: Access competitive benefits tailored to the local market and your employment status.
