Oct 2013 – Dec 2024 · 11 yrs 2 mos · Abu Dhabi

• Strategy, Planning, Management, Business Development, Marketing

Oct 2011 – Sep 2013 · 1 yr 11 mos · Abu Dhabi

• The Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) is a center of excellence for airport and aviation training based in Abu Dhabi. GCAS is part of Etihad Aviation Training.

May 2011 – Sep 2011 · 4 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Worked as an independent consultant on a 5 month project for a client in Dubai. Project focused on sales strategy, segmentation and distribution channels.

Sep 2010 – Apr 2011 · 7 mos

• Was tasked with the setting up a sales learning & development unit, with a focus on developing the skills & strategic capabilities of the Qatar Airways global sales force.
• Developed the strategy, course structures and training path for the sales trainings.

Sep 2008 – Aug 2010 · 1 yr 11 mos

• Responsible for 3 key units within commercial – Sales Development, Corporate Sales and Leisure Sales. Total size of the unit was 40 staff with 3 managers reporting to me. My reporting line was directly to the Chief Commercial Officer.
• Developed and implemented strategic guidelines for the sales organization both at Head Office and the field. Was closely involved in the development of the Commercial Strategy.
• Responsible for structuring and implementing regular reporting mechanisms to track and forecast revenue performance, cost and profitability.
• My team was responsible for the setting of the annual passenger revenue budget for the company, distribution of targets both at a regional as well as a country / point of sale level, monitoring performance trends and ensuring corrective action is taken when necessary.
• Implementing segmentation & distribution strategies along with incentive plans.
• Managing regional performance reviews between the Chief Commercial Officer and key Senior Vice Presidents / key head office departments.

Mar 2007 – Aug 2008 · 1 yr 5 mos

• On deputation to Head Office to assist the Chief Commercial Officer in the restructure of the Commercial Organization. This role involved intensive and close coordination for the roll-out and implementation of the commercial strategy with all key units, both in Head Office and the field.
• Worked closely with external consultants to streamline key revenue management, distribution, sales and reporting processes.
• Was involved in recruiting staff for key management vacancies in the organization.
• This role gave me a 360 degree view of the all aspects of the airline industry from planning, to ground services to sales.

Mar 2006 – Feb 2007 · 11 mos

• Job profile involved coordinating with a total of 26 stations and acting as a liaison between the top management and the field.
• Analyzing performance trends, identifying and taking corrective action where necessary.
• Looking at potential opportunities to increase our market share as well as re-align our strategy in line with current requirements.

Dec 2004 – Feb 2006 · 1 yr 2 mos · Abu Dhabi, UAE

• Sales Manager for Abu Dhabi, one of the hubs of Gulf Air (at that time), with more than 35 daily departures and a 60% market share.
• Responsibilities included handling key corporate accounts and major travel agencies. The brief I had was to make the department a more corporate oriented, structured & commercially driven team.
• One of my major challenges in Gulf Air was to ensure that the momentum of the re-structuring exercise was maintained.

Jan 1998 – Nov 2004 · 6 yrs 10 mos · India, Saudi Arabia, UAE

• Worked for KLM in a number of key markets and was responsible for top agents and key corporate accounts. Still KLM blue on the inside!