Program Manager - Commercial Tech

A. Job Purpose

Highly skilled and proactive Senior Manager with deep expertise in Airline Reservation Systems and Project Management. This role demands strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive end-to-end execution of complex projects in the airlines/aviation domain. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional stakeholder management skills, ensuring alignment across business and technology teams, and have proven experience working with global airline clients. Preference will be given to individuals with hands-on experience or a strong conceptual grasp of Agentic AI systems.

B. Key Accountabilities

Strategic Activities:

• Drive and manage the full lifecycle of airline reservation system projects – from initiation to delivery.
• Own accountability for project scope, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment.
• Drive strategic conversations with airline business units, translating business needs into technical solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product, engineering, operations, and external vendors.
• Ensure compliance with aviation industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and mitigate project risks proactively.
• Champion agile methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
• Leverage Agentic AI capabilities to enhance automation, decision-making, and operational efficiency (preferred).
• Prepare and present executive-level updates, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, trust, and shared ownership of outcomes.

C. Skills Required for the Role

• Experience working with global airlines/commercial technology or large-scale aviation programs.
• Proficiency in business analysis software and tools.
• Business analysis certification (e.g., CSPO, POPM) is a plus.
• Good technical knowledge and understanding of IT systems and software development.

D. Key Performance Indicators

Project Execution:

• Project schedule adherence
• Scope & budget management
• Quality of deliverables

Client and Stakeholder Relations:

• Client & stakeholder satisfaction

Team and Resource Management:

• Adaptability and problem-solving
• Team management and resource utilization

E. Key Interfaces

Internal Interfaces:

• Leadership & Stakeholders: Provide regular updates to management on technical analysis progress, issues, and risks, and seek approval for any change in plans as needed.
• Project & Other Teams: Collaborate closely with project teams including developers, testers, and project managers to ensure smooth deployment of projects. Collaborate with the security team to address any security concerns or vulnerabilities during deployment and ensure that proper security measures are in place.

External Interfaces:

• Vendors & Suppliers: Coordinate with external vendors and suppliers to manage tasks and support for deployment, such as software configuration, development, testing, or third-party services.

F. Educational and Experience Requirements

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Aviation Technology, or related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in project management within airline/aviation domain.
• Proven expertise in airline reservation systems (e.g., Sabre, Amadeus, Galileo, etc.).
• Effective technical and non-technical communication.
• Airline domain expertise.