Director, Air Service Development & Marketing

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as primary liaison between TAIT and network planning professionals of both incumbent and potential new entrant airlines.       Collects, analyzes, and researches information regarding airline routes, fares, yields, volumes, schedules, leakage, performance reliability, and community demographics. Reviews forecasts for business growth and analysis of competing cities using a variety of sources to formulate strategies and identify opportunities for new service, weaknesses that need to be targeted for improvement or information which may encourage airline expansion.
• Prepares and conducts presentations to airlines about the Tulsa community and trends related to factors that influence airline decision making regarding route expansion. Travels to various locations for the purpose of meeting with incumbent and potential new entrant airlines regarding air service.      
• Acts as primary liaison with corporate travel executives, travel managers, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Visit Tulsa, and other business forums to ensure a consistent line of communication between TAIT and the community regarding air service.
• Establishes and maintains close business relationships with the regional shipping community – including shippers, freight forwarders, and cargo carriers.
• Prepares and conducts presentations to key stakeholders regarding all facets of airline activities at TUL.
• Prepares and implements TUL’s Air Service Retention Marketing Campaign to drive passenger activity that results in improved utilization and retention of existing air service and supports the recruitment of new air service.
• Monitors trends in the aviation industry and how they will affect air service at TUL.
• Actively participates in meetings of the Airport Affairs Committee.       Represents TAIT in negotiations with airlines relative to rates charged, incentives offered and capital improvement projects.
• Represents TAIT/TUL at various industry/professional/trade organizations related to airline affairs and air service business development.
• Provides oversight of and support to the Community Relations Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, marketing, business/public/aviation administration, communications or a closely related field and eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience leading air service development, airline affairs, or community marketing functions, with demonstrated success; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of management, marketing administration, marketing research and developing promotional campaigns; and demonstrated knowledge of airline industry and factors impacting air service development.  Demonstrated ability in writing and public speaking; ability to operate a computer; ability to direct and coordinate other personnel in marketing research and proposal preparation; ability to manage operational matters, various programs and develop business improvement initiatives; and the ability to utilize the highest level of interpersonal skill in order to understand, select, develop and motivate people at any level within or outside the organization.

Physical Requirements: Physical requirements include arm and hand dexterity enough to use a keyboard, ten-key and telephone, frequent pushing and pulling up to 10 pounds, may be subject to extended periods of walking, standing, sitting, reaching, bending, kneeling, crawling and handling, and vision, speech and hearing sufficient to perform the essential tasks.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid Oklahoma Class “D” Operator’s License; ability to obtain and maintain eligibility to hold a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge.

Working Environment: Working environment is primarily indoors in an office setting; and requires local, regional and national travel to attend and participate in trade shows, conferences, conventions, media events and sales calls.