VP, Relations & Partnerships

SSP • Ashburn, VA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

A critical leadership role responsible for driving the company’s growth by cultivating and managing strategic relationships with airport authorities, airlines, and other key stakeholders. Reporting to the Head of Business Development, this position will oversee partnership agreements, identify growth opportunities, and collaborate across teams to deliver innovative and revenue-generating solutions in the airport dining and retail space.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA) strongly preferred.
• 12-15+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive leadership roles.
• Extensive background in multi-unit operations, strategic planning, and driving profitability in fast-paced industries such as travel, hospitality, food and beverage, or retail.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale projects (e.g., market expansion, process improvements, and technology implementations).
• Experience working in regulated environments (e.g., airports), ensuring compliance with operational, safety, and financial standards.
• Proven ability to build strategic partnerships with airports, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Strong P&L and budget management experience, with a focus on driving growth and ROI.
• Must be eligible to work and travel ~40% within the US and Canada, including overnight extended stay.
• Must be able to pass and maintain a criminal background check, and as required, meet airport security requirements (e.g., Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clearance, comprehensive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Canada, etc.).

Nice To Haves

• Global or multi-regional experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and nurture strategic partnerships with airport authorities, airlines, and other stakeholders to expand the company’s footprint and increase revenue opportunities.
• Oversee partnership agreements, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation.
• Conduct market research and analyze trends to identify new opportunities and prioritize strategic initiatives that enhance the company’s competitive position.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Operations, Marketing, and Finance, to align on strategic goals and ensure seamless execution of partnership agreements.
• Leverage partnerships to drive innovation by introducing new dining concepts, technologies, and customer experiences that strengthen the company’s brand.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure partnership performance, evaluate success, and make data-driven adjustments to optimize results.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive