Manager, Commercial Services (MCS) / Head of Department and Member of Management at United Nigeria Airlines

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Effective Date: TBA 

Job Responsibilities
Business Development:

• Prepare commercial contracts and negotiating commercial terms for business development
• Track and monitor commercial performances of various routes with a view to increasing revenue and earnings across the business
• Demonstrate leadership and provide active coaching and support to the commercial team
• Lead sales and marketing strategies
• Establish and manage innovative projects from idea generation to innovation execution
• Effectively research and analyze all areas of commercial portfolios to reflect business needs and identify new areas for growth
• Identify and develop new routes based on industry data
• Minimizing risks and ensuring a cost-effective approach

Central Reservation System:

• Help develop, lead, and deploy a central reservation system
• Creation and publication of flights, routes and connecting airport
• Plan unit of sales traffic and expectations
• Monitor load factor and revenue flown per day of the week
• Identify special events, religious festivals, sports events, holiday periods etc. and enter them in the holiday and special event calendar (HSE)
• Management and control of reservation inventory in a way that increases company profitability given the flight schedule and fare structure available
• Ensuring system data match with the published schedule
• Ensuring system integrity
• Provide overall guidance on system use and helpdesk on critical system-specific matters.

Pricing and Inventory Control:

• Lead price setting and reviews
• Ensure timely wash-up of all flights to maximize sales
• Monitor competitor`s availability and adjust allocations according to the marketing strategy
• Updating of fares and taxes
• Management and control of reservation inventory to increase business profitability
• Setting overbooking profile
• Setting group quote pricing structure
• Charter negotiation

Planning and Managing Commercial Department:

• Structure the commercial department into various units
• Oversee business extensions in terms of corporate clients & Travel Agencies
• Coordinate sales processes and systems training for new recruits and refresher training for existing personnel
• Monitor and manage Customer Service and customer satisfaction process flow
• Ensure seamless relationship between out-stations and Commercial team to enhance business development
• Liaise with HR department for staffing needs
• Align with Accounts department for checks and balances
• Advising company on promotional offers and strategies

People Management:

• Develop a high-performance service culture within the business
• Develop KPIs with team members and monitor individual performance
• Conduct performance appraisal
• Manage the allocation of appropriate resources and commitment of staff to the achievement of business targets.
• Identify training needs and opportunities to develop a highly skilled functional department

Experience & Qualifications

• B.Sc / BA, M.Sc / M.A in Marketing, Economics, Accounting or any Social Sciences or Engineering;
• 5 years requisite experience in developing and managing commercial business of major airlines
• 10 years post graduation work experience
• Certification in IATA ticket reservation system, Videcom or Amadeus will be an advantage.

Job Attribute Required Skills:

• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Bilingual skills (working knowledge of French or Portugues) will be an advantage
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent knowledge of of Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability and readiness to work under pressure and at odd hours
• Integrity and reliability at all times
• Ready and able to train and mentor young professionals.
• Strong network in the corporate world.