Head of Network Development

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.

Head of Network Development 

Based in Budapest 

Purpose of the position:

The Head of Network Development is responsible for setting the network strategy and managing the development of Wizz Air’s route network to align with the strategic and financial goals of the business. The position plays a key part in shaping and executing Wizz Air’s strategy as Europe’s fastest growing low-cost airline, with a developing fleet of up to 500 aircraft in the next years ahead. The Head of Network Development shall lead a team tasked with market and competitor assessments, route choices, route optimization, fleet and capacity planning.

Network Strategy & Growth

• Define and execute Wizz Air’s long-term network development strategy in line with the Company’s commercial, operational, and financial objectives.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, base openings, and expansion initiatives
• Develop strategic business cases for new routes, market entry opportunities, and network investments.
• Support Wizz Air’s long-term growth ambitions and fleet expansion strategy toward a 500-aircraft operation.

Network Planning & Optimization

• Lead the continuous optimization of Wizz Air’s route network to maximize profitability, market share, aircraft utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee route performance analysis, capacity allocation, frequency planning, and seasonal network adjustments.
• Ensure optimal fleet deployment across the network in coordination with fleet and scheduling strategies.
• Drive data-driven decision-making through detailed analysis of demand trends, competitive dynamics, and market performance.
• Monitor and respond to competitor activity, macroeconomic developments, regulatory changes, and geopolitical impacts affecting the network.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Scheduling, Revenue Management, Commercial, Operations, Airport Development, and Finance teams to ensure alignment between network strategy and operational execution.
• Ensure network development initiatives support broader Company KPIs, including profitability, load factor, aircraft productivity, and customer demand objectives.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning, scenario analysis, and business prioritization.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Network Development team within a fast-paced and growth-oriented environment.
• Set clear objectives, performance expectations, and development plans across the team.
• Drive knowledge sharing and capability building within the Network function.

Governance, Processes & Reporting

• Own and continuously improve Network Development policies, planning methodologies, reporting standards, and analytical frameworks.
• Ensure robust forecasting, performance tracking, and reporting processes are in place to support executive decision-making.
• Present strategic recommendations, network performance insights, and growth opportunities to senior management and executive stakeholders.
• Drive process standardization and efficiency improvements across Network Development activities.

Experience:

• Proven leadership experience in Network Planning, Network Development, Scheduling, Airline Strategy, or Aviation Analytics within a commercial airline environment.
• Experience in low-cost or ultra-low-cost airline operations is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex network planning decisions in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Experience working within multicultural and international organizations.

Technical Skills, Knowledge:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities with a highly data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Deep understanding of airline economics, route profitability, scheduling, and fleet planning principles.
• Experience with network planning and aviation analytics tools.
• Strong understanding of competitive airline dynamics and market development strategies.
• Ability to translate complex analytical insights into clear strategic recommendations.

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Aviation Management, Mathematics, Business, Finance, or another analytically focused discipline.

Languages:

•  Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Competencies/skills:

• Strong leadership capability with experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Commercially minded with strong strategic judgment and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-changing, and performance-driven environment.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong ownership and accountability.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Ability to live and work in Budapest, Hungary.

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. 

• Base salary and employee bonus scheme.
• Unlimited number of significantly discounted and confirmed seating tickets, giving access to a continuously growing network of destinations.
• Relocation package (if applicable) – expense budget, Temporary accommodation, Administration support.
• Life insurance.
• AYCM sport pass contracting possibility.
• Instant impact, from any level of the organisation, exposure to C-suite management.
• Fast career progression, internal mobility and talent management supported by training opportunities.
• True international and multi-cultural work environment, passionate, driven and diverse teams.