Manager Project Strategy and Planning | Product Development and Design

• Closing date: 30-Nov-2025

At Qatar Airways, we craft cutting- edge inflight products, enhance passenger comfort, and drive innovation in aviation design. From concept to launch, our Product Development and Design Team collaborates with industry leaders to create products that set new standards in travel. If you are passionate about innovation and design, this is your chance to make a lasting impact in the aviation industry. Join our Product Development and Design Team that transforms ideas into reality and shape the future of airline experiences!

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the divisional project portfolio through robust governance, data-informed planning, and change enablement, working hand in hand with the Product Development & Design (PDD) PMO team. You will ensure that all PDD initiatives are governed effectively, executed in accordance with best-in-class methodologies, and strategically synchronized with Qatar Airways governance forums such as the Group-level Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO). The role champions the PDD agenda in line with the GCEO vision and the direction set by the SVP Product Development & Design, while fostering innovation and continuous improvement in how projects are planned, governed, and delivered.

As part of your role, your responsibilities will be inclusive of, but not limited to the following:

Strategic Governance & Synchronization

• Establish and maintain a divisional project governance framework that ensures consistency, transparency, and adherence to the QR 2.0 vision and the QR Group strategic priorities.
• Ensure synchronization of PDD project efforts with enterprise-wide programs, including EPMO-led initiatives, while maintaining focus on divisional priorities and outcomes.
• Translate the SVP PDD’s strategic direction into actionable governance practices that prioritize innovation, customer-centricity, and design excellence.
• Promote the adoption of modern project management methodologies (e.g. Process Excellence / Lean Six Sigma, Agile, PMBOK) to elevate execution discipline and delivery quality across the division.
• Act as the strategic interface between PDD and enterprise governance bodies, ensuring seamless integration of reporting, planning cycles, and performance tracking.

Portfolio Oversight & Performance Monitoring

• Oversee the PDD project portfolio, ensuring initiatives are prioritized, sequenced, and resourced in line with strategic objectives and enterprise transformation goals.
• Define and track success metrics (KPIs and OKRs) to support business case approvals with the investment committees, measure project impact, alignment, and execution effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to provide leadership with real-time visibility into project health, risks, and strategic alignment.
• Conduct post-project analysis to generate insights and feed improvements back into the strategy cycle.

Data-Driven Strategy & Insight

• Use data to guide project prioritization, feasibility assessments, and approach selection.
• Monitor performance through real-time analytics on KPIs, milestones, budget variance, and risk indicators.
• Quantify project value using ROI, NPV, cost-benefit analysis, CSAT and NPS to support strategic decision making.
• Apply forecasting and scenario planning to anticipate risks, resource constraints, and execution challenges.
• Leverage stakeholder feedback, benchmarking, and historical data to refine planning accuracy and communication strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Leadership

• Engage with senior stakeholders across PDD and the enterprise including Business Finance and Transformation to ensure shared ownership, alignment, and accountability for project outcomes.
• Apply structured change management methodologies to assess change impact, manage stakeholder expectations, and ensure successful adoption of new processes and systems.
• Lead the development and implementation of change strategies that support smooth transitions and minimize disruption.
• Encourage innovative approaches to solving business challenges, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and agility.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Anticipate risks that may impact project delivery, strategic synchronization, or stakeholder engagement, and develop proactive mitigation strategies.
• Conduct regular governance reviews and audits to ensure compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Capture and share lessons learned to continuously refine planning and governance practices across the division.
• Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and learning within the PDD project management community.

Be part of an extraordinary story

Your skills. Your imagination. Your ambition. Here, there are no boundaries to your potential and the impact you can make. You’ll find infinite opportunities to grow and work on the biggest, most rewarding challenges that will build your skills and experience. You have the chance to be a part of our future, and build the life you want while being part of an international community. Our best is here and still to come. To us, impossible is only a challenge. Join us as we dare to achieve what’s never been done before. Together, everything is possible.

About you

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with minimum 8 years of related experience.
• Understanding of design methodology and brand execution within the airline industry or similar.
• Previous experience in product development design phases including the ability to script product development phases will be an added advantage.
• Complete understanding of product design processes, technologies and design theory.
• Ability to multi-task and adhere to deadlines.
• Excellent knowledge all industry standard design tools for 2D and 3D visualization.
• Experience applying theories related to colour, materials, layout, product engineering, graphics, textiles and various visual communication techniques.
• Love of experience design and a passion for learning.
• Managerial skills - Ability to delegate work, set clear direction and manage workflow. Strong mentoring and coaching skills. Ability to train and develop subordinate's skills. Ability to foster teamwork among team members.

About Qatar Airways Group

Our story started with four aircraft. Today, we deliver excellence across 12 different businesses coming together as one. We’ve grown fast, broken records and set trends that others follow. We don’t slow down by the fear of failure. Instead, we dare to achieve what’s never been done before. So, whether you’re creating a unique experience for our customers or innovating behind the scenes, every person contributes to our proud story. A story of spectacular growth and determination. Now is the time to bring your best ideas and passion to a place where your ambition will know no boundaries, and be part of a truly global community

How to apply

If you’re ready to join a progressive team and have a challenging and rewarding career, then apply now by uploading your CV and completing our quick application form.