Apex director of knowledge development

📍 Flexible, global remote position with preference for North America or Europe | Global travel required

🕒 Full-time, contracted position reporting to the APEX Group CEO


🎯 Role Purpose

Lead the evolution of APEX into aviation’s most trusted hub of knowledge, data, and insight for in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC). Build structures, partnerships, and governance that unite airlines, content providers, and technology partners, creating measurable member value and sustainable innovation.

🌍 About APEX

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) functions as a global non-profit organisation advancing the airline passenger experience. Representing airlines, content service providers, hardware suppliers, and innovators, APEX drives collaboration, sets benchmarks, and promotes progress across entertainment, connectivity, and sustainability.


Through research, standards, ratings, and events such as APEX TECH, APEX Global EXPO, and the APEX Content Market, APEX delivers credible insight and partnerships that shape the future of air travel.

🧠 Position Summary

The APEX Director of Knowledge Development directs every aspect of APEX’s knowledge programs. This leader defines the agenda for insight generation, steers multi-stakeholder collaboration under clear antitrust guardrails, and converts outcomes into trusted, practical tools for members.


A central responsibility involves launching APEX Flight Track, a data platform aggregating and validating automated airline information within in-flight entertainment. The Director of Knowledge Development manages all stages of the platform including alpha and beta pilots, partner coordination, and governance design, ensuring dependable, actionable insights for members.


This leader also oversees APEX STREAM Working Groups and new IFEC Working Groups, guiding collaboration among studios, content providers, CSPs, hardware partners, and marketplaces. Acting as strategist and convener, the Director of Knowledge Development reinforces transparency, neutrality, and thought leadership across every output.

🚀 Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Program Leadership

• Define a knowledge and IFEC agenda aligned with APEX Board priorities and IMDC guidance.

• Maintain an integrated roadmap across Flight Track, working groups, and publications.

• Apply transparent governance with measurable progress indicators.

APEX Flight Track Ownership

• Develop Flight Track’s data model, validation framework, and access controls.

• Lead alpha and beta pilots with airline and CSP partners.

• Deliver dashboards and reports presenting clear, accurate insights.

APEX STREAM and IFEC Working Groups

• Manage five STREAM groups and a minimum of two IFEC groups.

• Recruit balanced participation and publish charters with twelve-month deliverables.

• Produce practical, counsel-cleared outputs suitable for industry implementation.

Knowledge Products and Editorial Cadence

• Publish quarterly IFEC Market Briefs and annual deep-dive reports.

• Create clear explainers simplifying technical subjects for wide audiences.

Events and Communications Integration

• Integrate knowledge across APEX TECH, Content Market, and Global EXPO.

• Present Flight Track milestones and ensure transparency in development.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

• Build strong relationships across airlines, CSPs, and technology partners.

• Secure sustainable sponsorships that protect neutrality and strengthen value.

Legal, Antitrust, and Ethics

• Operate within counsel-approved antitrust procedures.

• Maintain detailed documentation and fairness across all outputs.

Team Leadership and Enablement

• Mentor staff and co-chairs to elevate documentation quality and discipline.

• Strengthen internal analytics and communication capabilities.

🎓 Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business, data, or information management preferred.

• Ten or more years of experience within aviation, media, technology, or B2B data environments.

• Proven leadership driving cross-company programs with measurable results.

• Demonstrated success launching data or analytics platforms with external partners.

• Experience working within standards bodies, consortia, or trade associations.

• Expertise in managing operations under legal and antitrust frameworks.

🧩 Key Skills

• Program design, milestone planning, and risk control.

• Data fluency across schemas, ingestion, validation, and dashboards.

• Facilitation, agenda development, and precise documentation.

• Executive communication and publication quality oversight.

• Sponsorship negotiation and balanced stakeholder management.

🌟 What We Offer

• A global platform influencing the next generation of passenger experience innovation.

• Opportunities to collaborate with leading airlines, content providers, and technology partners.

• A purpose-driven, transparent, and inclusive environment focused on integrity and excellence.

• Direct collaboration with the APEX Board and engagement with the worldwide aviation community.