Director of Airport Operations
JOB PURPOSE: Provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for the Airport Operations Department and directs the safe, secure, efficient, resilient, and customer-focused operation of the Airport’s airfield, terminal, and landside facilities. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements; leads operational preparedness and emergency coordination; and works closely with Maintenance, Public Safety, Infrastructure, Information Technology, airlines, tenants, and other stakeholders to support reliable airport operations and continued growth.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Leadership and Administration
Leads, develops, and evaluates Airport Operations personnel; establishes clear performance expectations, accountability, training standards, and succession plans.
Develops departmental goals, work plans, staffing models, policies, procedures, and performance measures aligned with Airport priorities and service expectations.
Prepares and administers the Operations Department budget; develops operating and capital needs; monitors expenditures; and supports procurement and contract administration for assigned services.
Ensures adequate 24/7 operational coverage, including nights, weekends, holidays, severe weather, emergencies, and irregular operations.
Serves as a senior representative of airport management and acts on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer when assigned.
Airport Operations
Directs daily airfield, terminal, and landside operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused service.
Oversees airfield inspections, discrepancy identification, corrective-action coordination, NOTAM management, pavement condition reporting, wildlife observations, construction safety monitoring, and other operational functions required by the Airport Certification Manual.
Leads gate, apron, and common-use resource coordination and supports efficient use of airport facilities during normal and irregular operations.
Coordinates terminal operations, passenger flow, curbside and roadway conditions, ground transportation activity, and operational issues affecting airlines, tenants, passengers, and the public.
Maintains effective working relationships with airline station management, FAA, TSA, air traffic control, tenants, concessionaires, contractors, and other airport users.
Establishes and monitors operational key performance indicators, service levels, trends, and corrective actions related to safety, compliance, reliability, efficiency, and customer service.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Management
Ensures continuous compliance with 14 CFR Part 139, 49 CFR Part 1542, applicable FAA Advisory Circulars, TSA requirements, Airport rules and regulations, and other federal, state, and local requirements.
Coordinates with the Airport Fire Department and ARFF leadership to ensure airport compliance with the aircraft rescue and firefighting requirements of 14 CFR Part 139, including the applicable ARFF index, operational readiness, response capability, personnel training, vehicle and extinguishing-agent requirements, inspections, exercises, and required records.
Maintains and updates operational portions of the Airport Certification Manual, Airport Emergency Plan, Snow and Ice Control Plan, Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, and other required plans and records.
Leads the Airport Safety Management System, including hazard identification, safety risk assessment, risk mitigation, safety assurance, corrective-action tracking, safety promotion, and continuous improvement.
Maintains inspection readiness and ensures timely documentation, mitigation, correction, and closure of regulatory findings and operational discrepancies.
Ensures Airport Operations personnel complete required initial, recurrent, and specialized training, including Part 139, driver training, radio communications, emergency response, and other assigned programs.
Emergency Management and Operational Resilience
Leads airport operational response during aircraft incidents, severe weather, security events, utility interruptions, facility disruptions, and other emergencies or irregular operations.
Supports activation and operation of the Airport Emergency Operations Center and serves in designated Incident Command System roles.
Coordinates emergency exercises, drills, after-action reviews, corrective-action plans, and business continuity activities with Public Safety, airlines, governmental agencies, and community partners.
Ensures timely and accurate operational communications to airport leadership, FAA, TSA, air traffic control, airlines, tenants, employees, and the public, as appropriate.
Coordination with Maintenance and Other Departments
Works closely with Maintenance to identify, prioritize, communicate, and track airfield, terminal, landside, facility, vehicle, and equipment deficiencies that affect safety, compliance, capacity, customer service, or continuity of operations.
Establishes operational priorities and service-level expectations for corrective work involving airfield lighting, pavement, snow and ice control, passenger boarding bridges, baggage systems, access-control systems, and other mission-critical assets.
Coordinates planned outages, repairs, inspections, and maintenance activities to minimize impacts on airlines, passengers, tenants, and airport operations.
Verifies that operationally significant deficiencies are appropriately mitigated, documented, communicated, and closed.
Leads airport-wide operational planning and coordination for snow and ice events, including pavement condition assessment, closure and reopening decisions, NOTAMs, and required communications, while Maintenance retains responsibility for equipment deployment, staffing, treatment methods, and execution of snow-removal activities.
Works collaboratively with Infrastructure, Information Technology, Public Safety, and other departments to resolve operational issues within their respective areas of responsibility.
Capital Projects and Operational Readiness
Represents Airport Operations during planning, design, construction, commissioning, and activation of airport facilities and systems.
Reviews proposed projects for operational safety, regulatory compliance, phasing, maintainability, passenger and airline impacts, and continuity of operations.
Coordinates construction safety and phasing activities, operational restrictions, tenant notifications, and facility activation requirements.
Leads or supports operational readiness, activation, and transition planning for new or substantially modified facilities, systems, and processes.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, airport management, public administration, business administration, emergency management, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
At least seven years of progressively responsible airport operations experience at a commercial-service airport certificated under 14 CFR Part 139, including at least three years of supervisory or management experience.
Demonstrated experience with Part 139 compliance, emergency management, irregular operations, personnel leadership, budgeting, and interdepartmental coordination.
Experience supporting capital projects, construction safety and phasing, operational readiness, or facility activation is preferred.
Strong written, verbal, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to obtain and maintain an Arkansas driver’s license.
Must be able to obtain and maintain required airport security clearances and driving privileges.
AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) designation is preferred or must be obtained within a period established by the Airport. Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation is preferred.
Must complete required FEMA National Incident Management System and Incident Command System training within a period established by the Airport.
Must be available to work or respond during nights, weekends, holidays, severe weather, emergencies, and other operational events.
This position is a safety-sensitive position as defined in Ark. Const. Amend. 98, § 2(25). Persons employed in this position may not use marijuana at any time or place.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
SECURITY: Requires the ability to pass a security background check. The Northwest Arkansas National Airport is a drug free workplace. This position is a safety sensitive position as defined in Ark. Const. Amend. 98, § 2(25). Persons employed in this position may not use marijuana at any time or any place.
PHYSICAL: Ability to occasionally lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Ability to perform inspections and other essential duties in airfield, terminal, landside, construction, and equipment environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL: Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather and around aircraft, vehicles, machinery, noise, fumes, and other airport operational hazards while using required personal protective equipment.
MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires standing approximately 60%, sitting approximately 40%. Requires good physical condition and sufficient strength to lift and carry objects up to 20 pounds.
AUDIBLE: Ability to operate an airport vehicle, communicate by radio, read and interpret plans and operational documents, and access areas necessary to perform assigned duties.
VISUAL: Requires the ability to read written material, spreadsheets, and operate office equipment.
OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Education:
Bachelor's (Preferred)
Experience:
Commercial Airport Operations: 7 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
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