Head of Strategy and Insights (PDD)

Research & Strategy Manager, QR.08 About the Role
As the Research & Strategy Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Qatar Airways’ inflight product portfolio by driving insight-led product planning and development strategies.

You will lead strategic research, market benchmarking, and commercial analysis to inform key decisions across cabin design, seating, inflight services, IFE, connectivity, and customer experience (CX). Working closely with the VP Product Strategy & Insights, product owners, and other senior stakeholders, you will ensure that product development decisions are grounded in robust data, strategic frameworks, and customer-centric insights that align with Qatar Airways’ long-term vision.

This role requires a leader who can translate data into strategy, see the bigger picture of customer experience, and create actionable insights that drive innovation and differentiation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead competitive benchmarking, voice-of-customer analysis, and macro-environment scanning to support differentiated product positioning and long-term strategy.
  
  
• Translate customer insights and industry trends into structured strategic recommendations, scenario plans, and opportunity frameworks that inform product roadmaps.
  
  
• Collaborate with SVP, VP, and senior stakeholders to support strategy formulation, long-term planning, and cost justifications where required.
  
  
• Develop comprehensive business cases for new cabin products, seating upgrades, IFE systems, connectivity enhancements, and onboard experience initiatives — including financial modelling, ROI analysis, and strategic recommendations.
  
  
• Track emerging innovations, technologies, and consumer behaviors across aviation, hospitality, wellness, digital, and lifestyle sectors to inspire future product directions.
  
  
• Drive qualitative and quantitative research initiatives (surveys, focus groups, competitor studies) to capture passenger expectations and inform business decisions.
  
  
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives, redefining SOPs and KPIs to enhance operational efficiency and team agility.
  
  
• Build and maintain a strategic insights framework that allows the team to pivot across diverse topics — from technology trends to customer journeys — while maintaining a consistent data-driven approach.
  
  
• Prepare executive-level presentations and performance dashboards to communicate insights and strategic updates across the business.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Strategy, Aviation Management, or related discipline.
  
  
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in strategy, product research, insights, or management consulting, preferably within aviation, travel, hospitality, tech, wellness, or e-commerce sectors.
  
  
• Strong consulting background with proven experience in building insight-to-strategy frameworks and business case development.
  
  
• Deep understanding of customer experience strategy and the ability to translate CX insights into actionable business direction.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to drive data-driven, cross-functional decision-making and align teams around a unified strategic vision.
  
  
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent process improvement methodology preferred.
  
  
• Skilled in benchmarking, competitor intelligence, and market analysis.
  
  
• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with AI-enabled research tools or data visualization platforms (e.g. Power BI, Tableau).
  
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.