Head of Cargo Development

Summary

Full-time, permanent

Based at East Midlands Airport

38 hours per week

Some flexibility to work out of hours

Why MAG

East Midlands Airport is the UK’s largest airport for dedicated air cargo operations, handling around 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually and sitting at the heart of the country’s most important logistics cluster. Alongside connecting more than four million passengers each year to over 70 destinations, the airport supports more than 7,500 jobs and contributes £6.2 billion annually to the national economy.

As part of MAG, the UK’s largest airport group, East Midlands Airport has ambitious plans to grow its cargo business, strengthen the region’s international connectivity and reinforce its position as a nationally significant hub for trade, logistics and e-commerce. This role offers the opportunity to shape that growth agenda and build on the airport’s established position in the UK air cargo market.

Benefits

At MAG, we know that delivering an excellent experience for our customers starts with creating an excellent environment for our colleagues. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Our benefits include:

• Flexible and generous company pension plan with various company contribution options (up to 10%) that you can change to suit your personal needs 
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Free parking 
• Subsidised public transport 
• Huge range of company discounts 
• 2 volunteering days per year 
• Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 
• Care Concierge service  
  
  

The Role

East Midlands Airport is the UK’s largest airport for dedicated air cargo operations and was named Airport of the Year at the 2026 National Transport Awards. Cargo is central to the airport’s long-term growth strategy, and we are seeking a Head of Cargo Development to lead the next phase of its development.

This is a senior commercial role responsible for shaping and delivering East Midlands Airport’s cargo development strategy. You will grow import and export demand, strengthen the airport’s cargo proposition and lead engagement across the East Midlands cargo community. Working with businesses across logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, freight forwarding and international trade, you will build the partnerships and commercial opportunities needed to support sustainable cargo growth.

You will be a commercially astute and highly credible self-starter, able to influence senior stakeholders, translate market insight into deliverable opportunities and represent East Midlands Airport across the UK and internationally.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Developing and delivering a clear cargo growth strategy focused on increasing sustainable import and export demand through East Midlands Airport.
• Building strategic relationships with e-commerce businesses, manufacturers, shippers, freight forwarders, cargo GSAs, logistics operators and trade bodies to understand supply-chain requirements and influence cargo-routing decisions.
• Leading and coordinating the East Midlands cargo community, creating a shared agenda that strengthens collaboration, advocacy and the competitiveness of the regional cargo proposition.
• Working closely with the Head of Aviation to translate identified cargo demand into compelling airline opportunities and support the development of new and existing cargo capacity.
• Identifying infrastructure, property and operational opportunities that support cargo growth, working collaboratively with Property, Operations, Strategy and Finance teams to develop robust business cases.
• Attracting and retaining logistics businesses whose presence at or around East Midlands Airport will generate cargo demand, enhance the airport’s proposition and support long-term revenue growth.
• Promoting East Midlands Airport and the wider region as a leading international cargo and logistics cluster, representing MAG with government, industry bodies and strategic partners.
• Developing and implementing an effective commercial, sales and marketing plan that protects existing cargo business, creates new opportunities and delivers measurable growth.
  
  

What do you need to be successful?

• Significant commercial experience within air-cargo logistics, supply chain, international trade or a related business-to-business environment, with a strong understanding of domestic and international markets.
• A proven track record of developing and delivering growth strategies that convert market opportunities into measurable commercial outcomes.

Strong knowledge of cargo supply chains and the factors that influence freight-routing, customer-location and investment decisions.

The leadership capability and credibility to build alignment across a diverse cargo community and influence senior stakeholders within industry, government and partner organisations.

Strong commercial and analytical judgement, with the ability to use customer insight, cargo-flow analysis and market forecasting to identify opportunities and develop compelling business cases.

Excellent business-development, negotiation and relationship-management skills, with the ability to represent East Midlands Airport and MAG confidently in the UK and internationally.

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

We’re building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We’re on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. With so many exciting roles across our airports and businesses, there’s space for your unique strengths to shine.

Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you – even if you don’t think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We’re committed to helping you perform at your best.

At MAG, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that: Women’s Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.