City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Airport Chief Operating Officer

Reporting to the Airport Chief Executive Officer, this position operates with a high level of autonomy and provides oversight and direction for reliable airport operations, operational and administrative controls, policies, and procedures to ensure operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency of the organization and to accomplish its strategic and tactical objectives.

1. Provides overall leadership and direction for airport operations and maintenance (O&M) functions.
2. Sets direction and achieves desired results for reliable airport operations, customer service delivery, cost management, safety, security, and maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
3. Ensures the reliability of airport systems and effective and efficient operation and improves passenger experience.
4. Ensures compliance with Federal, State, Local, and industry regulations.
5. Cultivates partnerships with airport business partners and stakeholders to improve the efficiency of service delivery.
6. Provides development and deployment of strategies/plans that meet customer needs and to continuously improve performance levels for the airport.
7. Represents the department’s interests in policy, aviation, and technical issues with governmental/regulatory agencies, boards, councils, commissions, and oversight bodies.
8. Advises executive staff on matters pertaining to operational activities and ensures all functions are operating together effectively to achieve the strategic initiatives and goals.
9. Monitors industry trends and implements best practices.
10. Assumes Airport Chief Executive Officer duties and responsibilities in their absence.

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

• Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and ordinances affecting the airport.
• Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
• Knowledge of emergency management, including incident command, and business continuity planning.
• Skill in fiscal planning, developing and preparing budgets, and managing O&M cost.
• Skill in developing flexible and adaptable strategies to achieve organizational goals by understanding the organizational capabilities, airline market conditions, the regulatory environment, and technological advancements.
• Skill in managing and allocating financial and human resources to execute operational and business plans.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, City Council, the media, and the public.
• Skill in leading and managing a diverse workforce including department employees and contractors in an airport environment.
• Ability to address customer evolving expectations.
• Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the department and City of Austin.
• Ability to design short- and long-term strategies/programs that are scalable and efficient in a large and complex organization.
• Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple City departments and internal business units to meet goals and objectives.
• Ability to make decisions and develop innovative approaches to deal with frequent changes, unexpected events, conflicts, and uncertain situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, develop and deliver public presentations, and act as the corporate spokesperson when incidents involving operations occur.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, Aviation Management, Finance, Engineering, or in a field related to the job, plues 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.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.