Job Purposednata is more than a global air and travel services provider. We connect people with possibilities and opportunities across 130+ airports in 34 countries through ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering & retail services. Our purpose is clear: to deliver on the promises our customers make. We are powered by a bold vision to be the world’s most admired air and travel services provider, which guides our strategy, culture, and every role across our teams. Our core values fuel everything we do: we are safe, we play to win, we respect everyone and work together as a team, and we are future thinking. At dnata, we foster diversity, nurture ambition, and celebrate achievement. If youre inspired by purpose and motivated to be part of a global team shaping the future of aviation and travel, we’d love to have you onboard.
As Managing Director (MD), you will will lead the Joint Venture between dnata and SW AFEZCO (Silk Way Alat Free Economic Zone Company), overseeing all cargo and ground handling operations at Alat Airport. You will be responsible for establishing and managing a world-class freighter hub serving Silk Way operations and other airlines (OAL), ensuring operational excellence, safety, and service quality in full alignment with dnata’s global standards and ways of working.
Reporting to the Joint Venture Board, the you will lead the organisation in achieving its strategic vision of becoming the premier freighter operator within the Middle Corridor. This includes advancing the logistics ecosystem in the Alat Free Economic Zone by seamlessly integrating airport, rail, and logistics operations to enhance efficiency, connectivity, and sustainable multimodal growth. This role is based full time in our office in Azerbaijan.
In this role, you will:
- Strategy Involvement: Work closely with Regional CEO and Chief Cargo Officer to develop strategy in line with the dnata Airport Operations global strategy and ensure achievement of objectives.
- Planning horizon and integration of functions: Planning to be carried out over a 2-to-3-year period, oversee and integrate the various diverse functions within the business to ensure alignment and achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives. Ensure the workforce plan effectively supports operational delivery, and that the operating model is optimally designed for performance and efficiency.
- Policy & Procedures: Develop and oversee implementation of business policies, procedures and controls to ensure procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled. Represent the business in all matters involving operations, customers, authorities, and keep the Board informed on any matters that could have a material impact on the business.
- Financial Management: Accountable for leading the preparation and consolidation of business financial results and planning & budgeting processes, while closely monitoring financial performance to ensure alignment with targets and effective delivery against strategic objectives.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive change through continuous improvement of systems, processes and practices keeping abreast of industry best practices to maximise business efficiencies in line with agreed targets.
- Problem Solving: Effectively balance strategic and tactical considerations when dealing with defined problems and in implementing solutions. Apply significant judgement to generate solutions, think outside the box, seek new facts and look beyond previous solutions to business problems.
- Governance & Controls: Responsible for ensuring compliance with local legislations and government-mandated security procedures, ‘The dnata way’, GCAM and standards in all dealings and areas of the business.
- Risk awareness and responsibility: Act in the best interest of the company at all times, ensure all business decisions are made based on authority level limits and after the appropriate level of due diligence and risk analysis has been carried out.
- Customers: Develop a customer strategy that delivers revenue growth. Build and strengthen long-term relationships with clients and external stakeholders to seek new business opportunities and grow international business networks.
- Vision, Mission and Values: Drives the dnata Vision, Mission and Values (VMV) in the business and models the behaviours and intent of the VMV’s in all people leadership practices.
- Managing Performance: Sets clear and measurable objectives for direct reports at a function or departmental level on an annual basis in line with dnata frameworks and process. Drives performance accountability and enables the team to achieve through appropriate support and resourcing.
- Reward & Recognition: Partners with HR to set effective reward and recognition initiatives, that drive a high-performance culture (in line with The dnata way’ limits).
- Talent Management: Partners with HR to ensure effective Talent Management and Succession Planning are in place to mitigate the risks of skills gaps.
- Safety: Leads with safety as a priority, ensuring all decisions are made with safety in mind. Demonstrates and role models safety behaviours and holds direct reports accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities in accordance with dnata’s safety standards and best practices.
- Behaviour: Acts as a role model for the leadership team and wider organisation in all people and customer interactions. Responsible for fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and high engagement across the organisation.
To be considered for the role, you must meet the below requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Aviation Management, or Logistics.
- Minimum of 15 years’ experience in aviation, cargo, or ground handling operations.
- At least 5 years in an executive leadership position overseeing large-scale, multi-site operations.
- Proven experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational excellence delivery within an international or joint venture environment.
- Demonstrated capability to lead and govern within complex stakeholder frameworks, including board-level reporting and regulatory liaison.
- Proven track record in driving people engagement, leadership development, and high-performance culture transformation.
- Strong knowledge of aviation safety, ground handling, and cargo compliance standards, including IATA, ICAO, and local CAA requirements.
- Certified in Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) awareness (Category 6 or higher).
- Eligible to act as the Accountable Executive under the applicable aviation authority regulations, with the ability to obtain all necessary airside access and security clearances.
You will have an edge, if you have:
- Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
- IATA Diploma in Ground Operations or Cargo Management.
- ISAGO / IOSA Auditor Training or equivalent quality and safety compliance programs.
- ACI Airport Operations Certificate.
- Exposure to rail logistics or multimodal supply chain operations.
- Experience in start-up, transformation, or infrastructure development projects within aviation or logistics.
- Familiarity with free economic zone operations, customs procedures, and regional regulatory frameworks.
- Multilingual capability (Russian or Azerbaijani) is advantageous.
At dnata part of Emirates Group were committed to providing our employees with opportunities to grow and develop in their careers So if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity apply today and join our team.
Recruitment Process and Timeline
dnata part of Emirates Group is an international organisation with employees from over 170 nationalities we encourage applications from across the globe Your application journey begins by applying via our Careers website Please ensure your CV is up to date for our talent acquisition team to review your profile If you meet the criteria of the role you will then be invited to complete a HireVue video interview to share more about your experience and your career aspirations If you are shortlisted you will then be invited to interview with our hiring managers If you are successful your recruiter will reach out to you with an offer and then our Onboarding team will ensure a smooth transition to your new role.
Salary & benefitsJoin our growing team and enjoy a competitive remuneration package. Find out more about working with us in our website www.emirates.com/careers
