Business Development Director – Airport Lounges

US | Fully Remote
Salary: $145,000-$170,000
Travel: Up to 50%

About Us

For airports, for partners, for people. We are CAVU. Founded by MAG (Manchester Airports Group) and backed by over 80 years of aviation expertise, we’re striving to revolutionize airport travel, creating value for passengers and the businesses that serve them.

Why CAVU?

Our name is taken from the aviation, meteorology term, ‘Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited’ (CAVU), which designates the perfect flying condition, where the ceiling is more than 10,000ft and the visibility is more than ten miles.

More than just a name, CAVU is our mindset. It represents all that we stand for. Our proud aviation heritage, our drive to push boundaries, and the very essence of what we do: creating seamless, enjoyable travel experiences for airport passengers.

From our origins at Manchester Airport in the UK, we expanded to the US in 2015 where Escape Lounges has become the top-rated operator of common-use lounges in North America (as measured by customer reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook and Yelp).

What’s the role?

We’re looking for a Business Development Director – Airport Lounges (AMER) to help shape the next stage of CAVU’s growth across the US.

You’ll own the full business development cycle, identifying new airport opportunities, building relationships with senior airport and airline stakeholders, leading RFPs and tenders, and taking opportunities through to commercial agreement. You’ll also help maximise the value of our existing partnerships by identifying opportunities to expand our products and services.

With CAVU’s ambition to significantly grow its US Lounge business, this is a high-impact role where your understanding of the airport, concessions and hospitality environment will be crucial. You’ll work closely with senior leadership and teams across Finance, Operations, Commercial and Capital Delivery to turn opportunities into successful partnerships.

Based anywhere in the US, this is a fully remote role with up to 50% travel required to meet clients, attend industry events and support business development activity. 

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritise new airport and in-terminal opportunities across the US. 
• Own the end-to-end business development process, from opportunity identification and RFPs through to commercial agreement. 
• Build and maintain senior relationships with airports, airlines, partners and other key stakeholders. 
• Develop compelling commercial proposals, including revenue, cost and profitability modelling. 
• Manage and grow existing client relationships, identifying opportunities for additional products and services. 
• Represent CAVU at industry conferences, events and client meetings to build the company's profile and pipeline. 

What will make you successful in this role:

• 8+ years’ experience in business development, commercial or growth leadership within aviation. 
• Strong experience working with airports, airlines, concessions, hospitality or travel operators. 
• Proven track record of winning and negotiating complex commercial opportunities. 
• Experience owning RFP/tender processes and developing commercial proposals. 
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L ownership, budgets and financial modelling. 
• Confident presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders and C-suite leaders. 
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills. 
• Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot would be an advantage. 

About You

You’re an experienced aviation commercial leader who understands how airports work and knows how to turn opportunities into growth.

You’re commercially sharp, confident in front of senior stakeholders and comfortable owning the conversation from the first opportunity through to the deal. You’ll bring the credibility to operate at a senior level from day one, while building the relationships needed to help CAVU grow across the US.

Inclusion & Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, actual or perceived sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical handicap, or disability as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990.

• 8+ years’ experience in business development, commercial or growth leadership within aviation. 
• Strong experience working with airports, airlines, concessions, hospitality or travel operators. 
• Proven track record of winning and negotiating complex commercial opportunities. 
• Experience owning RFP/tender processes and developing commercial proposals. 
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L ownership, budgets and financial modelling. 
• Confident presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders and C-suite leaders. 
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills. 
• Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot would be an advantage.