Lead, Growth and Planning at United Nigeria Airline

United Nigeria Airlines is a wholly owned Nigerian company incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 at the Corporate Affairs Commission to offer commercial air transportation services under the trade name United Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Lead, Growth and Planning

Location: Nigeria
Effective Date: TBA
Reports to: Head of Business Development & Strategy
Department: Business Development & Strategy

Job Summary

• Are you a strategic thinker who can see the story that data tells about the future? Do you have a passion for uncovering untapped market potential and building the business case for the next big venture?
• United Nigeria Airline is seeking a Lead, Growth and Planning to be the intellectual engine of our new Business Development & Strategy department.
• This is not a day-to-day performance reporting role. You are an architect of growth. Your primary mission will be to look beyond the horizon, identify the most promising opportunities for expansion, and construct the data-driven blueprints that will turn those opportunities into reality.
• Your analysis will be the foundation upon which we launch new routes, enter new markets, and build the future of our airline.

Duties / Responsibilities
What You Will Do:

• Market & Opportunity Assessment:
  • Lead deep-dive analysis of potential new markets (states, regions, countries) to rigorously assess their viability for future air service.
  • Analyze macro-economic trends, tourism data, trade flows, and competitor network strategies to identify untapped growth opportunities before our rivals do.
• Business Case Development & Financial Modeling:
  • Lead the end-to-end creation of comprehensive business cases for new strategic initiatives, including new routes, major partnership opportunities, and new business verticals (e.g., dedicated cargo operations).
  • Build sophisticated financial models to forecast revenue, costs, and profitability, providing clear ROI projections for proposed projects.
• Strategic Project Support:
  • Provide the foundational data and analysis required for the Lead, Strategic Partnerships to evaluate and negotiate potential deals.
  • Work directly with the Head of BD&S to formulate the airline’s 3–5-year strategic plan, grounding our vision in solid data and realistic forecasts.
• Competitive Intelligence:
  • Go beyond daily fare tracking to analyze the long-term strategy, fleet plans, and network moves of key competitors. Your insights will inform our own strategic positioning and help us stay ahead of the curve.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
• Professional certification in strategic planning, revenue management, or aviation analytics , IATA Diploma is an advantage.
• 6–10 years of progressive experience in airline commercial planning, network development, or growth strategy roles.
• Proven track record of developing and executing route network expansion plans, including market analysis, demand forecasting, and profitability modelling.
• Hands-on experience with aviation data platforms and revenue management systems.
• Demonstrated success in launching new routes or markets with measurable impact on passenger traffic and revenue growth.

What You Will Need:

• Proven Experience: A minimum of 6-10 years of experience in a strategic planning, network planning, or high-level commercial analysis role, preferably within the aviation or travel industry.
• Master of Business Cases: Demonstrable experience building financial models and writing business cases that have successfully led to multi-million-dollar investment decisions.
• Technical Prowess: Exceptional skills in Microsoft Excel (including modeling) and experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to turn complex data into compelling narratives.
• Strategic Mindset: A natural curiosity and a strategic mindset, with the ability to connect disparate pieces of information into a single, compelling growth story.
• Autonomy and Impact: A proactive self-starter who can manage multiple complex projects with high autonomy and deliver insights that have a direct impact on the airline’s direction.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Expertise in airline economics, breakeven load factors, and fleet-utilization optimization.
• Strong analytical capabilities with advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI/Tableau, and statistical forecasting tools.
• Deep understanding of African aviation markets
• Ability to translate data insights into actionable commercial strategies aligned with organizational KPIs.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills to collaborate with commercial, operations, and finance teams.
• Willingness to travel regionally for market assessments and engagements.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.