Head of IFEC Programs and Connected Experience | Product Development & Design

Company: Qatar Airways Sector: Airline & Aviation
  • Date Posted : October 2, 2025

About the job

About The Role

You will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for the design, development, and delivery of inflight entertainment platform solutions and the connected cabin experience across the Qatar Airways fleet. This role defines the long-term strategic roadmap for IFEC and digital passenger experience, ensuring alignment with the airline’s corporate vision, digital transformation objectives, and customer experience strategy.

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

Strategic

  • Lead the development, program management and roadmap for all onboard cabin systems related to digital ecosystems, including Crew Horizon devices, seatback IFE platforms, and connected cabin technologies aligned with Qatar Airways’ customer experience vision, digital transformation, and fleet plans.
  • Design and develop a cohesive connected journey experience that integrates entertainment, personalisation, shopping, and destination exploration to elevate customer satisfaction KPIs and drive revenue.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Strategy, IT, Digital, Engineering, Data, Cabin Interiors, Regulatory, Compliance, Sponsorship, and all QR Group Ecosystem divisions and subsidiaries) and external partners (OEMs, digital media vendors, OTT platforms, technology providers) to define and evolve the connected experience.
  • Anticipate industry trends and emerging technologies to position Qatar Airways as a global leader in inflight passenger experience.
  • Develop and implement strategies to integrate gate-to-cabin connectivity experience, enabling passengers to access journey information, entertainment, and marketplace offerings seamlessly.
  • Lead portfolio prioritisation, business case development, and investment proposals for new IFEC and digital programmes.
  • Translate strategic priorities into multi-year transformation programmes, securing cross-functional commitment and executive-level representation.
  • Work with the PMO team to ensure governance frameworks for programme oversight, strategic alignment, risk mitigation, and cmpliance with regulatory and brand standards.

Operational

  • Oversee the end-to-end programme management of IFEC initiatives, including planning, execution, testing, rollout, and continuous enhancement of digital platforms and cabin systems.
  • Manage cross-functional teams and vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of projects and alignment with technical and operational requirements.
  • Lead the design and development lifecycle of IFEC platforms, ensuring robust testing, user validation, and iterative improvements based on feedback and performance metrics.
  • Establish governance models, structured PMO frameworks, and performance dashboards to ensure transparency, discipline, and measurable outcomes.
  • Monitor and manage the budget and costing of IFEC programmes, including cost optimisation, financial forecasting, disciplined resource allocation, supplier accountability, and robust financial governance.
  • Ensure operational excellence by streamlining processes, improving team efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation and agility.
  • Maintain oversight of system integration efforts, ensuring seamless connectivity between onboard systems and ground-based platforms.
  • Drive alignment across internal functions and external suppliers, ensuring seamless programme integration and delivery on time, within budget, and to quality, compliance, and passenger satisfaction objectives.
  • Serve as the senior point of contact for executive leadership, OEMs, suppliers, and regulatory authorities on IFEC and connected cabin initiatives.
  • Monitor programme risks, dependencies, and compliance requirements, ensuring proactive mitigation and transparent reporting to executive leadership.
  • Drive supplier negotiations and partnerships to secure commercial advantage and sustainable value.

Qualifications

About you

  • Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of program or project management experience, preferably in customer-facing technology, product development, or service innovation environments
  • Strategic Programme Leadership: Proven success in defining and executing multi-year, enterprise-wide digital or connectivity transformation programmes.
  • IFEC & Connected Cabin Expertise: Advanced knowledge of inflight connectivity, digital entertainment platforms, emerging content ecosystems, and passenger personalisation technologies.
  • Portfolio & Governance Oversight: Ability to establish and manage structured programme governance, portfolio reporting, and executive-level decision forums.
  • Financial Acumen: Strong experience in managing multimillion-dollar budgets, supplier negotiations, and value-driven investment planning.
  • Stakeholder Influence: Exceptional ability to engage with C-level executives, OEMs, regulators, and strategic partners to shape outcomes and secure alignment.
  • Innovation & Market Awareness: Deep understanding of global aviation digital trends, data compliance, cyber security, and customer experience expectations.
  • Team Leadership: Demonstrated success in building and leading diverse teams, empowering managers to deliver at scale.

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