Manager, Distribution

Job Summary

The Manager, Distribution is responsible for managing the day-to-day aspects of the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and their connections to the Navitaire passenger service systems.

They are the internal subject matter experts supporting various cross functional areas relating to travel agency operations, GDS reservations and E-ticketing.

The Manager also supports the sales teams to bring competitive agreements, tactical offers, and ticketing policies to the marketplace to drive incremental revenue and increase market share.

Duties & Responsibilities Build and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders including Revenue Management, Revenue Accounting, Contact Center, Network Planning, Corporate Security, and IT to effectively support the needs of the travel agency customer.

Works with these cross functional teams to identify and understand technology gaps between Navitaire and GDS and build business cases using data to recommend technology or process improvement as required.

Works closely with Navitaire, IT and GDS providers to address and resolve technical issues and propose new efficiencies.

Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives to enhance the airline’s GDS capabilities. Implement and monitor procedures to prevent and address discrepancies and enhance the overall customer experience, in close partnership with Airports and Contact Center.

Works with the Airline Partnerships team to open new partner connections in the GDS and provides guidance to resolve technical codeshare / interline escalated service matters.

Implement changes and updates in GDS platforms to reflect the latest product offerings and fare structures. Collaborates with Revenue Accounting relating to the various travel agency commercial agreements, regulations for GDS e-ticket reservations to support eticket / BIDT audits and commission expense approvals.

Manage revisions to travel agency ticketing policies, standard T&Cs in collaboration with revenue management, revenue accounting, contact center, airline partnerships, legal and sales.

Oversee a clear process for the issuance of special fare ticketing instructions. Act as the accountable leader and conduit between sales and revenue management to ensure that special fares are filed in the appropriate booking system and successfully tested for customer use.

Actively participate in Porter’s Safety Management System (SMS) including, reporting hazards and incidents encountered in daily operations;

understand, comply and promote the Company Safety Policy. Behavioural Competencies Concern for Safety : Identifying hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate action to maintain a safe environment for self and others.

Teamwork : Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals. Passenger / Customer Service : Providing service excellence to internal and / or external customers (passengers).

Initiative : Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise. Results Focus : Focusing efforts on achieving high quality results consistent with the organization’s standards.

Fostering Communication : Listening and communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with different audiences, promoting dialogue and building consensus.

Exemplifying Integrity : Treating others fairly, honestly, and respectfully, furthering the integrity of the organization and its relationships of trust with team members and the broader community.

Inspiring Others : Energizing and inspiring others to strive for excellence and commit to common goals and purposes, creating a sense of self-efficacy, resilience, and persistence in followers.

People Leadership : Assuming a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results. Leading Change : Recognizing the need for change, being open to new ideas and methods, and championing transformational change within the organization and beyond.

Qualifications 5+ years of relevant work experience in airline distribution or travel agency operations University degree in business or related field Ability to work in, review and interpret GDS (Sabre, Travelport, Amadeus) and non-GDS distribution system reservations is required Ability to clearly communicate complex travel agency booking procedures and impacts cross functionally to gain understanding and alignment from internal stakeholders who have minimal knowledge of travel agency operations Proven organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects under tight deadlines Strong intellect with ability to absorb input from multiple internal and external sources and translate into effective and actionable strategies and initiatives Collaborative, solution-oriented leader, preferring to work with others and open to change.

Solid business acumen with strong financial and analytical skills and airline industry knowledge; ability to make high-impact decisions based on quantitative and qualitative factors.

High degree of diplomacy and good judgment along with the ability to maintain confidentiality. The following experience is considered an asset as Porter evolves its distribution strategy : Experience as product owner of NDC API and leading change management.

Experience defining and executing an airline’s content strategy related to New Distribution Capability (NDC). Supporting successful delivery of the overall New Distribution Capabilities, aligning with revenue targets.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Readiness : Acts as a conduit between the project and the business, collaborating with stakeholders and ensuring business readiness for changes.

Vendor and Partner Relationships : Owns relationships with vendors (scope perspective) and collaborates on partner onboarding strategy.