Country Manager-Uganda (Entebbe) at Uganda Airlines

Kampala, Kampala, Uganda -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 Oct, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

08 Jul, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Commercial Leadership, GSA Management, Revenue Growth, Budget Management, Relationship Management, Market Analysis, Corporate Sales, Aviation Management, Financial Oversight, Customer Experience, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Operational Coordination, Compliance, Reporting

Industry

Airlines and Aviation

Description

Direct Reports: * GSA Sales Teams (functional oversight where applicable) * Local Sales, ticketing and Administrative Staff * Station Manager Job Purpose The Country Manager is responsible for leading and managing UNACL’s commercial activities, passenger sales performance, market development, trade relationships, GSA oversight, customer engagement, and brand presence within the assigned country or territory to maximize passenger revenue, market share, and commercial profitability. The role serves as UNACL’s primary commercial representative in the assigned market and is responsible for implementing the commercial strategy, driving sales growth, supervising GSA performance, managing local commercial budgets, ensuring compliance with UNACL's commercial policies, and protecting UNACL’s commercial interests within the territory. The Country Manager works closely with Passenger Sales, Revenue Management, Network Planning, Brand & Advertising, Customer Experience, Finance, Commercial Systems, Airport Operations, GSAs, travel trade partners, and government stakeholders to support commercial growth and operational coordination. Key Accountabilities 1. Market Leadership and Commercial Representation * Represent UNACL commercially within the assigned country or territory. * Drive implementation of UNACL commercial strategy and market growth initiatives. * Maintain strong visibility and market presence within the travel trade, corporate sector, tourism industry, and government environment. * Identify market opportunities, competitive risks, and commercial growth initiatives. 2. Passenger Sales and Revenue Growth * Achieve assigned revenue targets, passenger targets, market share objectives, and sales growth objectives. * Monitor sales performance by route, channel, customer segment, and point of sale. * Develop local sales plans and tactical market activation initiatives. * Support route growth, demand stimulation, and commercial performance improvement. 3. GSA Management and Contract Enforcement * Directly supervise and manage Passenger GSAs and Cargo GSAs within the assigned territory. * Ensure GSAs comply with contractual obligations, sales targets, reporting requirements, branding standards, customer service standards, and UNACL commercial policies. * Monitor GSA productivity, trade engagement activities, and market coverage performance. * Conduct regular GSA performance reviews and recommend corrective actions where necessary. * Escalate GSA contract breaches, underperformance, or compliance concerns to management. * Support onboarding, evaluation, renewal, and termination recommendations for GSA agreements. 4. Travel Trade and Corporate Relationship Management * Develop and maintain relationships with travel agencies, tour operators, corporate customers, government institutions, NGOs, diplomatic missions, and strategic travel partners. * Support negotiation and implementation of corporate sales agreements and trade partnerships. * Promote UNACL products, schedules, fares, and commercial programs within the market. 5. Budget Management and Financial Oversight * Manage and monitor the approved commercial budget for the assigned territory. * Control market expenditure related to sales activities, marketing support, trade engagement, GSA support, office operations, and local commercial initiatives. * Ensure prudent utilization of resources in line with approved budgets and company policies. * Monitor cost performance and recommend efficiency improvements where necessary. 6. Invoice Approval and Financial Accountability * Review, validate, and approve invoices related to the assigned territory before submission for payment processing. * Manage local ticketing office operational costs. * Ensure invoices align with approved contracts, agreed commercial terms, approved budgets, and confirmed service delivery. * Monitor local sales reconciliation, remittances, and financial accountability within the market. * Escalate financial irregularities, unsupported claims, or non-compliant expenditures were necessary. 7. Customer Experience and Market Support * Monitor customer service standards and passenger experience within the assigned market. * Support resolution of escalated customer complaints and commercial servicing issues. * Coordinate market communication during disruptions, schedule changes, route launches, and operational irregularities. * Work closely with Airport Services and Customer Experience teams to support passenger servicing. 8. Market Intelligence and Competitive Monitoring * Monitor competitor pricing, schedules, promotions, distribution activity, and market positioning. * Provide commercial intelligence and market feedback to Head Office. * Support market analysis, forecasting, and route performance reviews. 9. Commercial Coordination and Operational Support * Coordinate with Passenger Sales, Revenue Management, Network Planning, Cargo, Brand & Advertising, Commercial Systems, Airport Services, and Finance to support market performance and operational continuity. * Cost management through value for money. * Support route launches, schedule adjustments, and commercial projects within the territory. 10. Reporting and Governance * Prepare and submit sales reports, market performance reports, GSA performance reports, budget reports, and market intelligence updates. * Ensure compliance with UNACL governance, commercial procedures, and financial controls. * Maintain proper documentation and market operational records. 11. Station and Airport Operations Oversight * Supervise and coordinate the performance of the Station Manager and local airport commercial support teams within the assigned territory. * Monitor station operational performance relating to passenger handling, customer service, disruption management, on-time performance support, baggage service coordination, and airport customer experience. * Ensure airport operations within the market align with UNACL commercial standards, customer service expectations, and operational procedures. * Coordinate with Ground Handling Agents, Airport Authorities, OCC/IOCC, and Head Office operational departments on station operational matters affecting commercial performance or customer experience. * Support irregular operations management and ensure proper local coordination during delays, cancellations, diversions, and passenger disruptions. * Monitor local airport vendor and handling service performance against contracted service levels and operational standards. 12. Local Ticketing and Sales Office Oversight * Supervise local ticketing, reservation, and sales office activities within the assigned territory. * Ensure Ticketing & Reservation Agents comply with ticketing procedures, fare rules, revenue protection controls, cash handling procedures, and customer service standards. * Monitor daily ticket sales, EMD sales, refunds, and ancillary revenue activities within the territory. * Ensure proper accountability and reconciliation of cash collections, card payments, mobile money transactions, and bank deposits. * Review daily sales reports, remittance reports, and ticketing reconciliations from local ticketing teams. * Escalate ticketing irregularities, revenue leakage risks, sales discrepancies, or non-compliance issues where necessary. * Support operational supervision, coaching, and discipline of local ticketing and sales staff. Minimum Qualification and Experience * Bachelor’s Degree in: Aviation Management, Marketing, Tourism, Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration, related field or an equivalent IATA Certification. * A master’s degree is an added advantage. * Professional Airline commercial or IATA training is highly desirable. * Minimum of 7 years’ experience in sales, commercial operations, travel trade management, or aviation market development. * At least 3 years in sales leadership, GSA management, market management, or country commercial representation. * Strong experience in travel trade engagement, corporate sales, GDS distribution, and revenue generation is essential. * Experience working with passengers and GSAs, airport stakeholders, and international commercial markets is highly desirable. Core Competencies * Strong commercial and market leadership capability * Relationship management skills * Negotiation and influencing capability * Budget and financial management capability * Revenue accountability awareness * Strategic thinking * Communication and presentation skills * Customer Service Orientation * Problem-solving capability * Leadership and team coordination skills * Commercial discipline and governance awareness * Strong understanding of sales, GSA management, corporate sales, market development, and commercial governance is essential. HR Summary To lead and manage UNACL’s commercial activities within the assigned market through passenger sales growth, GSA supervision, trade relationship management, budget control, invoice approval, and market development initiatives to maximize revenue, market share, and commercial performance.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage UNACL's commercial activities in Uganda to maximize passenger revenue, market share, and profitability. This includes supervising GSAs, managing local sales and ticketing offices, and overseeing airport operations and trade relationships.