Research & Strategy Manager | Product Development and Design

About the role Welcome to a world where ambitions fly high! We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to be part of our Product Development & Design Division as Research & Strategy Manager in Doha. As the Research & Strategy Manager, you will play a central role in shaping the future of Qatar Airways inflight product portfolio by driving insight‑led product planning & development strategies. You will lead the strategy research, market benchmarking & analysis required to inform key decisions across the cabin design, seating, inflight services, inflight entertainment (IFE), connectivity, customer experience (CX) & long‑term product innovation. You will work closely with the VP Product Strategy and Insights, SMEs, Product Owners, & external stakeholders; the role is instrumental in aligning inflight product development with robust commercial justifications, customer‑centric insights, market dynamics & Qatar Airways long‑term objectives. You’ll lead the product research & analytics team to synthesize qualitative & quantitative insights to support business cases, product roadmaps, and CX transformation programmes.

Responsibilities

Lead competitive benchmarking, voice‑of‑customer analysis and macro‑environment scanning to support the development of differentiated product positioning.

Translate customer insights and industry trends into structured strategic recommendations, scenario plans and opportunity frameworks.

Work closely with the SVP, VP and other 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 system, connectivity enhancements, and onboard experience initiatives. This shall include detailed financial modelling, ROI analysis, and strategic recommendations.

Track emerging innovations, technologies and customer behaviours across aviation, hospitality, tourism and lifestyle sectors to inspire future product directions.

Drive qualitative and quantitative research initiatives (customer surveys, focus groups, competitor analysis) where applicable to capture passenger expectations and market trends.

Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives, redefining business processes, SOPs, and KPIs to enhance the Department’s operational efficiency and service delivery.

Perform other department related duties as directed by Line Manager or Head of Department.

Qualifications About you

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Strategy, Aviation Management or related discipline with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in strategy, product research, insights and / or management consulting roles, preferably in aviation, travel, hospitality or related sectors.

Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent methodologies with demonstrated experience in process improvement, SOP development and KPI framework design.

Proven ability to support strategic planning through structured analysis and insight‑driven recommendations and proficiency in leveraging AI tools to run research and analyses large datasets for deeper insights.

Skilled in benchmarking and maintaining competitor intelligence databases and delivering periodic strategic market updates.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to articulate and influence senior stakeholders.

Proficient with MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint, preferably with experience in creating performance dashboards, tracking project timelines, executive level presentations and preparing reports for management review.

About Qatar Airways Group Our story started with four aircraft. Today, we deliver excellence across 12 different businesses coming together as one. We’ve grown fast, broken records and set trends that others follow. We don’t slow down by the fear of failure. Instead, we dare to achieve what’s never been done before. Whether you’re creating a unique experience for our customers or innovating behind the scenes, every person contributes to our proud story. A story of spectacular growth and determination. Now is the time to bring your best ideas and passion to a place where your ambition will know no boundaries, and be part of a truly global community.

How to Apply If you are interested to submit your application and feel you are a good fit for this role, please complete our application form and upload your CV for our review and consideration.