Business Planning & Development Specialist

About the role

Under the guidance of the Manager Project Delivery plan, hold accountability for the Service Delivery Project portfolio ensuring project governance using the principles of Project Management, as well as on-time delivery and within budget Provide input to facilitate the formulation of strategies that will maximize alignment of people, product, processes, and technology to achieve Mission/ Vision/ Goals. (MVG) Create and lead cross-functional project working groups often with more senior membership. Role model effective project management techniques 

What you will do

• As project manager for an assigned portfolio of projects ensures scope, deliverables, work breakdown structure/schedule, identification of skilled resources, issues, and risks are identified and agreed to with both sponsor and stakeholders. Provides input in establishing benefit measurement for all assigned projects


• With governance in place allocates responsibilities within the project team and kicks off assigned projects. The Project Manager must manage relationships within the project team ensuring timely completion of assigned tasks be it through PM duties, those of project team members, or SMEs (subject matter experts) who ultimately can contribute to the overall success of the project. Manages all CRs (change requests) that occur during a project life cycle and revalidates deliverables, resources, and schedules as/when required.


• Ensures each assigned project has an effective Change Management firmly in place and that said plans are routinely reviewed during the project lifecycle. Escalates issues to Manager Project Delivery as/when required. Produces progress reports against deadlines for all projects/business initiatives to enable MPD to monitor overall progress and re-prioritize workload against deadlines.


• On completion of assigned projects ensure there is an effective handover to the business and obtain sign-off for closure from the project sponsor and/or Steering Group, if such has been established. Documents any learning experience learned from the projects and applies same to all future projects.


• Assists MPD in preparing/collating forecasted expense budgets and preparing supporting business cases for all assigned projects. Provides detailed analysis and reports on business needs and ongoing projects, as assigned by the Manager Project Delivery, across all service delivery units, using historical and future data to enable the BP&D section to establish a three-year rolling business plan. This plan must align with departmental MVG along with reasons for prioritisation. Provide routine status reports on progress to stakeholders/sponsors.


• Set up systems to collect, categorise, and analyse data using the appropriate Statistical Process Control SPC procedures. Develop tools and systems to measure delivery standards across all service delivery sections. Support Manager Project Delivery in monitoring projects against defined KPIs for the various Service Delivery units.


• Review existing processes and procedures used by SD units with the relevant departments, to facilitate continuous improvement throughout in line with SD growth. Support MPD with recommendations for productivity improvements as well as cost control and service standards improvements, to contain/reduce unit costs.


• Under the direction of MPD, research and recommend people/process efficiencies, looking at system design and tools. Work with IT and Service Delivery departments to ensure IT capabilities match the planned growth and changes of the department.


• Liaise with internal departments, both SD and support departments (Flight Ops, Engineering, Scheduling, Visa Services, etc) on procedural issues and implications arising from new products (A380 / A350) and new destinations, new facilities, etc. Drive through changes with departments, or make recommendations to MPD where appropriate.


• Establish and maintain excellent rapport / working relationships across SD and with all partner departments. This relationship should promote and embrace the principles of project management while at the same time recognise the changing needs of the business. Routinely reviews service deliverables against agreed SLAs both within SD sections and with partner departments ( IT, EK Clinic, Employee Assistance, Accommodation, Security, Flight Operations, Training, Corporate Communication, CASA, etc) as/where they impact assigned projects.

This job might be for you if you have:

• Degree or Honours (12+3 or equivalent).


• Graduate in Business Management / Industrial Engineering or equivalent and experience in fields related to performance development projects within the airline industry.


• 5+ Years of In-Flight Service or In-flight Administration experience with proven planning skills and the ability to manage complex business initiatives.

You’ll have an edge if you have:

• Good communication and presentation skills.


• Knowledge of IT systems such as manpower planning, and productivity analysis with project management tools is a must.