City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Airport Chief Officer - Business and External Affairs

Reporting to the Airport Chief Executive Officer, this position operates with a high level of autonomy and is responsible for directing the organization’s business development and revenue generation, and also providing leadership and strategic direction as it relates to the department’s government affairs, risk management, policy, and legal functions.

1. Provides overall leadership for business and commercial development and revenue generation.
2. Negotiates agreements as appropriate related to financial impacts and airlines’ rates and charges.
3. Conducts advocacy efforts for government relations in the U.S. at the State and Federal levels.
4. Develops and implements legislative and policy initiatives and strategies related to industry- and community-specific issues of interest to the department.
5. Drafts, negotiates, and advocates for positions through papers, testimonies, public comment responses, proposed legislation, and other appropriate activities.
6. Builds and maintains relationships with legislators, authorities, and heads of regulatory agencies; provides direction on and implements government affairs strategies to enhance the organization’s image with governmental authorities.
7. Establishes rapport with industry associations and trade organizations to ensure representation of the department’s interests and participates in industry and trade groups to develop and advocate for common industry positions.
8. Ensures that the department complies with its grant assurances under the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
9. Provides legal advice and support for the department’s revenue-generating businesses, such as parking, terminal concessions, and commercial development.
10. Oversees the identification, analyzation, mitigation, and monitoring of risks associated with the health and well-being of the organization, its assets, and human capital.
11. Interprets and communicates regulatory expectations to internal and external stakeholders (including partners, consultants, and contractors) to execute program objectives in compliance with applicable regulations.
12. Supervises lease and contract negotiations between the department and business partners.
13. Manages, coordinates, and oversees all legal activities of the department, retains outside counsel, and manages their assignments.
14. Prepares resolutions, memoranda, and other supporting documents relative to various items submitted to City Council for approval.
15. Provides strategic direction and oversight of the department’s grant funding, ensuring appropriate management of projects in compliance with various grant requirements.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws, statutes, ordinances, and regulations governing the administration of airports.
• Knowledge of all facets of the aviation industry with a focus on revenue generation functions.
• Knowledge of political process and political advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective communication with City administrators and employees, and the public.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, City Council, the media, and the public.
• Skill in developing flexible and adaptable strategies to achieve organizational goals by understanding the organizational capabilities and airline market conditions, the regulatory environment, and technological advancements.
• Ability to develop strategic direction and program implementation collaboratively with various stakeholder/community groups.
• Ability to interpret, recommend, and propose revisions to State statutes and City ordinances.
• Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the Aviation Department and City of Austin.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and develop and deliver public presentations.

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor Degree and admission in good standing to the practice of law in Texas, plus at least eight (8) years of senior-level experience at airports, airlines, or comparable organizations, including six (6) years of experience which were in a managerial or executive capacity.