Lead Product Manager

Job Description

Lead Product Manager - Airline Operations

Digital | Airline Operations Business Technology

FUNCTION

Digital / Airline Operations Business Technology

REPORTING TO

Head of Business Technology - Airline Operations

ROLE TYPE

Strategic role / Individual Contributor

Primary Scope

PMO, Airport Contracts and Strategic Projects

ROLE PURPOSE

• Lead the Airline Operations product management office and provide end-to-end commercial and delivery ownership for the Airport technology contract portfolio and strategic transformation programs. Should be an techno functional person who understands Airline solutions and technology. Establish disciplined portfolio governance, strengthen product and investment decisions, and ensure projects deliver measurable operational value within approved budgets, business cases and financial commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead the Product Management Office (PMO) capability for Airline Operations, including portfolio standards, governance forums, stage gates, prioritization, reporting and benefit tracking.
• Own the integrated roadmap for Airport technology contracts and New Airports governance and strategic projects, aligned to airport operations, customer experience, resilience, cost and growth priorities.
• Create and maintain business cases, project P&L views, annual budgets, forecasts and investment plans; track committed, actual and projected spend and drive corrective action.
• Lead contract strategy and commercial governance across airport technology partners, including scope, service levels, pricing, renewals, change requests, obligations, risks and value realization.
• Partner with Finance, Procurement, Legal and business leaders on vendor selection, negotiations, contract approvals and commercial decisions.
• Convert operational problems and strategic priorities into clear product outcomes, roadmaps, requirements, delivery plans and measurable success criteria.
• Chair portfolio reviews covering cost, schedule, scope, dependencies, risks, vendor performance, adoption and benefits; escalate decisions with clear options and recommendations.
• Ensure disciplined delivery from discovery and business case through implementation, operational readiness, adoption, handover and post-implementation value review.
• Strengthen product management capability through common methods, templates, coaching and quality standards.
• Provide concise, decision-oriented updates to senior leadership and maintain a reliable view of portfolio health and financial exposure.
• KEY INTERFACES
• Airport Operations and AOCS
• Finance and Commercial
• Procurement and Legal
• Digital Product, Architecture, Data, Cybersecurity and Technology Operations
• Airport authorities, technology providers and strategic partners
• Program sponsors and senior leadership
• DECISION ACCOUNTABILITY
• Portfolio priorities and sequencing
• Business case and investment recommendations
• Budget and forecast control
• Contract value and commercial performance
• Delivery governance and escalation
• Benefits and P&L outcome tracking

Experience And Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, Aviation or a related discipline; MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
• 4+ years of experience in product management, program or portfolio management, digital transformation or technology delivery, with leadership exposure in aviation, airports or another complex operational industry.
• Demonstrated ownership of budgets, business cases, financial forecasts, vendor commercials or project P&L, connecting investment decisions to measurable outcomes.
• Experience governing complex, cross-functional programs and technology contracts involving multiple vendors, operating teams and senior stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of airport operations and airport technology ecosystems is strongly preferred; product, program or project management certification is advantageous.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Portfolio and PMO leadership | Product strategy | Airport technology and contracts | Commercial acumen | Budgeting and project P&L | Business cases | Vendor negotiation | Executive communication | Risk management | Benefits realization

SUCCESS MEASURES

Confidential | Role-based Job Description | Draft for HR Review | September 2026

MEASURE EXPECTED OUTCOME

Portfolio governance

Consistent PMO rhythm, transparent portfolio health and timely executive decisions.

Financial performance

Projects and contracts managed within approved budgets, with accurate forecasts, variance control and visible P&L impact.

Digital Transformation for Strategic delivery /planned projects

Priority initiatives achieve agreed scope, milestones, operational readiness and adoption outcomes.

Contract value

Improved commercial terms, vendor accountability, service performance and value realization.

Business outcomes

Benefits are baselined, owned, tracked and evidenced after implementation.

Capability maturity

Product and project teams use common standards, stronger business cases and outcome-led roadmaps.