Country Manager Argentina

Job Purpose

Accountable for the overall management, control and administration of the company’s assets, fiscal and marketing policies and human capital within country/region. Ensure the overall business success by continuously developing strategies and tactical direction for commercial sales and driving initiatives to be ahead of the competition in order to increase market share. Ensure profitable commercial operations, with main focus on passenger revenue and market development, while factoring in Emirates Commercial strategic priorities and network revenue targets.

Being the head of the country, the role holder is expected to maintain a high profile to increase travel trade and public awareness, reflecting the company’s achievements, ambitions, high standards and growing influence in air transport, and is expected to interface with regulatory, industry and government bodies and act as local company spokesman.

Job Accountabilities Linked To Objective Areas

• Undertake overall responsibility and accountability for the management, control and administration of the Company’s assets, fiscal and marketing policies.
• Undertake corporate representation of the EK Group together with the execution of contractual obligations within the remit of the Powers of Attorney and the EK Group Authorities Manual to ensure that legal and commercial interests are safeguarded.
• Manage the compliance of all local legislation including aviation requirements to ensure the EK operation is not adversely affected or is levied with any penalties for non-compliance.
• Build and maintain and leverage country-wide relationships with relevant global and local partners, including trade, airlines, hotels, key accounts and customers, political representatives, government departments, regulatory authorities, commercial organizations, third party suppliers and contractors, and ensure conformity with local and international legal requirements, conventions, policies, procedures, and regulations whilst projecting the desired image to achieve premier strategic positioning.
• To develop and implement (in line with Emirates Strategic priorities, revenue targets and budgets) country/region strategy, which includes sales and marketing aspects, commercial positioning, pricing and distribution, channel development, as well as customer focus activities. This is done in close coordination with Emirates Headquarters (RMCO, BAM), Revenue Optimization, Global Sales, Skywards, Planning, Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand, etc. Monitor and review market trends, sales, industry, pricing, cabin and yield mix, industry opportunities, manage distribution and incentive strategies, with a view to achieving optimal channel balance, managing the costs of sale, increasing the market shares, and also seizing potential opportunities for enhancing revenue and yield by adopting ‘best sales working practices’.
• Recommend opportunities for profitable business to HQ including additional flights and altered route frequency which will support Emirates long-term plans for growth. Monitor and enhance route profitability, including inbound flows, partnering with Commercial Ops, Global Sales, RO, CCMB, and Skywards to ensure proper contribution of POS to relevant EK routes, as well as contribution of relevant network POS routes, and suggest ways of improvement.
• Monitor performance of all departments [Sales, Airport Services, SkyCargo, Contact Centre, Corporate Communications, Finance, CASA, HR – based on country set up] through regular departmental meetings as well as monitoring expenditure to ensure SQLs and revenue targets are met with a reducing cost revenue ratio in liaison with respective functional commercial sections. Lead the teams to ensure alignment to Emirates Commercial strategic priorities and Corporate Values. Identify and highlight best practices and innovation opportunities. Focus on the investment into the future.
• Lead the team , organize, train, develop and motivate the leadership team and middle management team to ensure the delivery of the corporate and country objectives and act as a point of reference to resolve issues impacting the efficiency of the operations. Work together with HQ and the HR team on talent management, strategy and compliance.
• Provide adequate and timely feedback to Head office on achievements/deficiencies/market trends, and challenges together with recommendation and insights on issues in order to support the decision making process to protect the overall interest and the profitability of the airline. Work in partnership with RMCO/ BAMs in Commercial Ops.
• Maintain the overall administrative and budgetary control o ensure a seamless operation that focuses on the overall objective of the Company. Work with Business Finance and Credit risk teams, managing costs and budgets, maximising the revenue opportunities, while limiting EK negative exposure.

Qualification

Minimum Qualifications / Experience / Knowledge / Skills

• University Degree [preferably in Business] with a minimum of 10 years commercial experience with a proven track record of managing multi functional teams. A minimum of 8 years management experience is required.
• Knowledge of sales, reservations, airport services and cargo.
• Commercial acumen with an overall knowledge of airline operations
• In depth knowledge of making strategic plans taking into consideration key influencing factors of air travel
• An excellent command of the English language (written and verbal) is essential as well as proficient public speaking skills. Local language will be an added advantage.

Salary & benefits

Competitive salary