Director, Commercial Partnerships & Business Development

Company

Alaska Airlines

The Team

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you. 

Role Summary

The Director of Commercial Partnerships and Business Development is a strategic leader responsible for expanding Alaska Airlines’ commercial footprint through high-impact partnerships and new business initiatives including the expansion of Atmos Rewards. This role drives Air Group’s growth across the travel ribbon and adjacent industries, with a focus on revenue generation, customer value, and long-term strategic alignment. Reporting to the division Vice President and serving as a key member of the commercial leadership team, this position operates with significant autonomy and visibility across the organization.

Key Duties

• Develop and execute a partnership strategy that drives commercial growth across travel, loyalty, and adjacent ecosystems.
• Identify, negotiate, and launch new business opportunities that align with Alaska’s strategic priorities and customer needs.
• Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership, providing market insights and recommendations on partnership and business development opportunities. Builds cross-functional relationships in support of Commercial objectives.
• Expand the reach of the Atmos Rewards platform into new verticals and partnership categories.
• Work closely with digital and product teams to implement and optimize partnership initiatives across channels.
• Ensure a high-quality guest experience across all commercial partnership touchpoints.
• Cultivate and manage executive-level relationships with key partners, vendors, and industry stakeholders.
• Own the P&L for all non-airline commercial partnerships, driving sustainable revenue and profitability.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to co-develop digital and product experiences that support partnership goals.
• Use data and analytics to evaluate partnership performance, forecast growth, and optimize outcomes.
• Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks to monitor partnership health and business impact.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of ownership, innovation, and accountability.
• Deliver clear, concise communications to internal and external stakeholders, including business cases, strategic updates, and partner reviews.
• Stay ahead of competitive trends and market dynamics to inform strategy and identify new opportunities.

Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills

Required

• 8 years of experience across partnership strategy, corporate development, or management consulting.
• 5 years of leadership experience, with at least 2 of those years directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree, with a focus in business, analytics, or related technical/quantitative disciplines, or 2 years in lieu of this degree.
• Excellent communication (e.g., verbal, written, and listening), interpersonal, and customer relations skills.
• Proven experience with strategic marketing planning, direct marketing, customer segmentation, collateral, and vendor management.
• Superior analytical skills with ability to interact and influence all levels of the organization.
• Proficient in business processes, including personnel management, budgeting and forecasting, and project management.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred

• Contract negotiation experience.
• A Master of Arts/Science degree or a Master of Business Administration degree.

Job-Specific Leadership Expectations

• Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
• Strong cross-divisional team leader who drives excellence; develops, mentors and coaches others, and can create excitement around a compelling vision in a collaborative, team-oriented fashion.
• Proven project and change management skills, and a thirst for applying research and best practices to existing business problems.

Starting Rate

Salary Range

$190,500 - $295,300 / year

Bonus

Salary Details

The pay range and total target compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at