Senior Network Development Manager

Job description

Wizz Air is a leading European low-cost airline. Our mission is to provide affordable and reliable air travel to everyone, everywhere, while minimizing our environmental impact. We are proud to foster a diverse and inclusive team of over 8,000 employees from more than 110 nationalities, who share our values of inclusivity, positivity, dedication, integrity, and sustainability. As a rapidly expanding airline, we offer exciting career opportunities across a range of functions, from flight operations to engineering, customer experience, finance, and more. We provide extensive training and development opportunities to help our employees grow and succeed in their roles. Joining Wizz Air means joining a team that is passionate about aviation, dedicated to excellence, and committed to making air travel accessible and sustainable for all. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the aviation industry, we welcome you to explore our job opportunities and become a part of our success story. Senior Network Development Manager Based in Budapest Purpose of the role The Senior Network Development Manager is accountable for defining and driving the network strategy across the full planning horizon. The role leads strategic network development initiatives including market prioritization, new route and base development, and competitive assessment, while providing clear strategic direction and governance to Network Managers responsible for short- and medium-term execution. The position is a key contributor to Wizz Air’s long-term network growth and strategic positioning. Responsibilities Network Strategy & Governance • Define and deliver the Network East/West strategy, including market prioritization, new routes, new bases and capacity allocation. • Evaluate new and existing markets based on strategic fit, financial performance, growth potential and competitive dynamics. • Lead the development of business cases and financial forecasts for new routes, bases and material network changes. • Own and continuously improve financial evaluation, forecasting and network modelling tools. • Provide strategic direction and governance for short- and medium-term network planning. • Ensure alignment between long-term network strategy and short-term execution, steering corrective actions where required. Leadership & Stakeholder Management • Lead, coach and develop a team of Network Managers. • Work closely with Revenue Management, Airport Development, Sales to optimize routes, frequencies and airport choices. • Build and maintain strong relationships with airports and external stakeholders, including authorities and tourism bodies. Competitive Landscape & Cost Management • Monitor the competitive environment, including competitors’ capacity, network strategies and market positioning, and define appropriate network responses. • Manage the regional airport mix and related costs in line with approved budgets and cost targets. Experience 5-7+ years of overall experience with 4+ years of experience in the field of aviation Previous relevant airline related experience: Network, Scheduling, Commercial Planning or Strategy roles Experience in leading and managing a team is a plus Experience leading tactical decision‑making processes. Hard skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and advanced ability to analyse commercial performance. Excellent communication and written presentation skills Strong understanding of the airline industry or relevant analytical roles Ability to execute under pressure and make quick, data‑driven decisions. Proficiency on Excel literacy. Education Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, economics, or another numerical subject. Language Fluent English (both written and spoken) Skills and competencies Good leadership and people management skills High adaptability and strong focus on results. Business mindset with the ability to synthesize information into actionable recommendations Teamwork and strong interpersonal skills When applying, please only provide valid information regarding your educational background and certificates, as the original documents will be requested during the hiring process. We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your skills and experience. Join the Wizz Air team and discover the world of opportunities.