Job Purpose

As the dnata Travel Leisure Manager you will manage all aspects of an assigned business or portfolio of businesses, including defining strategy and implementation plans to deliver key business objectives. The role is responsible for leading the creation of the value proposition across key stakeholders and customer segments, and for continuously developing the business to achieve commercial and financial targets, regulatory compliance, efficient operations, and a customer focused service in line with dnata’s corporate values.

In this role, you will:

•  Establish medium to long-term plans and contingency measures to secure the business’ long-term positioning, profitability, and brand value, based on thorough evaluation of market conditions, competitors, customers, suppliers, and external influences with full accountability for core Total Transaction Value (TTV) and revenue performance within the leisure portfolio.

•  Define business objectives with a focus on return to profitability, achievement of sales targets, and overall growth in line with the agreed strategy. 

•  Monitor changing market conditions and competitor activity, continuously adapting business strategy, processes, and systems to support future growth and evolving market needs. 

•  Oversee market research, client/prospect insights, and travel trends to support and strengthen sales strategies across the assigned business or portfolio. 

•  Ensure the business is prepared to deliver against objectives, with appropriately skilled and trained teams, effective operational interfaces, and clearly defined KPIs to drive efficiency and reduce operating costs, operating within a large, fast-paced and operationally complex environment requiring a high degree of agility.

•  Take accountability for the annual budget across manpower, revenue, and expenditure, ensuring cost effectiveness through efficient resource utilisation and implementation of best practices. 

•  Lead and manage colleagues across the assigned business or portfolio, including oversight of a multi-channel operation spanning 15 retail locations across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, as well as contact centre, social media, and business development teams, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, service excellence, and respect within a diverse environment.

•  Act as a role model for dnata’s vision, mission, and values, ensuring these are embedded consistently across all levels of the business. 

•  Provide direction to operational and sales teams to achieve revenue and profitability targets through efficient and effective working practices. 

•  Build, manage, and develop relationships with key clients, airlines, suppliers, vendors, government authorities, and service providers, while representing dnata Travel at internal and external forums and industry events. 

•  Identify new business opportunities and drive the delivery of sales, product, and marketing initiatives, while setting and monitoring performance objectives to ensure alignment with overall business goals, including supporting the execution of regional expansion plans across markets such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Qualification

To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:

•  Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Business, Travel and Tourism). 

•  Minimum 8 years’ experience in Travel / Tourism / Commercial, including at least 5 years in a management capacity. 

•  Strong general management and leadership experience with well-developed commercial acumen. 

•  Experience or awareness of the Middle East & India (MEI) travel or aviation market is advantageous, as is exposure to start-ups or mergers and acquisitions. 

You will have an edge if you have: 

•  Excellent people management capability. 

•  Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. 

•  Proven experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and delivery. 

•  Fluency in Arabic would be advantageous.