Head , Strategic Partnerships & Growth Markets

Job Description

YOUR ROLE AS A: Head of Strategic Partnerships & Growth Markets

Role Overview

This role is designed for a commercially sharp, relationship-driven leader to drive how brands connect with the AirAsia ecosystem. The scope spans digital media, ambient channels, in-flight magazine, Santan, duty-free, rides, and strategic IP licensing (leveraging the AirAsia masterbrand, sub-brands, and character IPs like AirAsia Buds).

The focus is bridging the gap between high-volume, day-to-day media sales and long-gestation enterprise partnerships that combine ecosystem media, co-branding, and trademark/IP licensing deals. The candidate operates exclusively on high-tier partnerships, leaving small-ticket transactions to the day-to-day (DTD) sales team

Target Portfolio Focus: High-Value Ecosystem Deals, IP Licensing & Regional Expansion

Key Responsibilities

• High-Value Deal Structuring: Originate, negotiate, and close enterprise-level media and IP licensing deals valued at RM 2M+.
• IP & Brand Licensing Expansion: In collaboration with the Commercial Officer and team, help in product co-branding, character IP, and merchandise licensing agreements.
• Ecosystem Integration: Architect multi-layered partnership packages that combine IP rights with cross-channel media inventory. 
• Strategic Portfolio Management: Pass all pipeline opportunities below RM 1M to the DTD sales team to protect bandwidth for high-yield transactions.
• Regional Market Penetration: Lead cross-border commercial alignment to capture revenue opportunities across Malaysia and growth markets.
• Market Intelligence & Forecasting: Monitor industry movements, identify emerging  trends and deliver precise pipeline forecasts to executive leadership.

Key Candidate Profile

• Proven Dealmaker: Track record of pitching, structuring, and closing multi-million-ringgit commercial media, co-branding, or IP licensing deals.
• IP & Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of media metrics (CPM, CPA, LTV) combined with knowledge of licensing royalty models, minimum guarantees (MGs), and trademark rights. Comment: 
• Ecosystem Visionary: Ability to bundle disparate assets, from aircraft liveries and digital ad space to licensed merchandise into unified brand propositions.
• Disciplined Pipeline Manager: Ability to maintain rigorous focus on complex, long-gestation opportunities without getting pulled into transactional, small-ticket sales.

OVERVIEW:

• Location: Wisma Capital A 
• Department: Media Sales 
• Entity: AirAsia Next (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

GET TO KNOW AirAsia Next:

AirAsia Next (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd manages intellectual property developed for the group focusing on the creation, management, licensing and enforcement of the airasia brand. Covering a range from trademarks to brand identity, content and merchandise.

GET TO KNOW US:

Our story begins in 2001 with a dream, two planes and a 40 million ringgit debt. You’ll know us as the ‘Now Everyone Can Fly’ airline (if you don’t, we’re definitely older than you). Today, we’re more than just an airline. 

We’re Capital A - a world-class brand that wears many hats. Our mission is to connect people and transform lives in Asean.

Above all, we’re Allstars. We believe in the unbelievable and we dare to dream. We also believe in celebrating all individuals. So no matter your culture and background or if you prefer aisle seat to window seat, we’re excited to have you onboard. 

Search Firm Representatives - We do not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any of our employees without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed as our sole property. No fee will be paid when a candidate is hired by us as a result of an agency referral when there is no pre-existing agreement in place.

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