Vice President, Aviation / Director of Aviation

Our Vision: To make New York City the global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth, fueled by the City’s diverse people and businesses.   

Our Mission: Creating a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. 

Position Overview: The Vice President, Aviation is entrusted with managing NYCEDC’s Aviation assets fostering economic growth, driving technological innovation, mitigating quality of life concerns and enhancing the overall transportation ecosystem in New York. This role furthermore has the title and responsibilities of New York City’s “Director of Aviation” as it relates to its Municipal Air Terminals Lease with the Port Authority of New York & Jersey for LaGuardia and JFK airports.  

The NYCEDC Aviation portfolio encompasses skyports/heliports (Downtown Skyport and East 34th Street Heliport), airports (LGA and JFK), the East River Skyport/Stuyvesant Cove seaplane base, and administration of the City’s Foreign Trade Zone Program. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President / Head of Ports, Waterfront, and Transportation within Asset Management, this key leadership role includes strategic planning of the assets, effective management of the team, and annual budgeting and performance tracking associated with these assets. This role is a strategic position with regards to the varied aviation activities of NYCEDC and the Vice President, Aviation / Director of Aviation is considered a subject matter expert within NYCEDC, City Hall, and in the broader community/industry. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Ensure a vision, strategy and action plan are in place for NYCEDC’s Aviation assets in line with the overall goals and objectives of NYCEDC, the Asset Management Division, and the Ports, Waterfront, and Transportation Department.  
• Cultivate strong tenant relations to maximize revenue streams, achieve public policy goals and ensure efficient performance across all aviation assets.  
• Oversee and coordinate Airport Board activities with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey providing oversight on performance standards, current and future capital plans, air cargo market opportunities, financing opportunities, environmental betterments, consultant studies, traffic and transportation management, industry relationships and other areas described in the Municipal Air Terminals Lease.  
• Foster and maintain working relationships with relevant government entities (including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey) and industry and community groups/boards. 
• Coordinate and guide legislation and rulemaking related to the aviation industry and represent NYCEDC/City at official forums or public hearings.  
• Oversee the 311 helicopter noise complaint process in coordination with NYC Office of Technology and Innovation; identify and implement continuous improvements.  
• Lead research and industry engagement related to emerging technologies such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, zero emission seaplanes, drones, and other innovations that can reduce noise and air pollution.  
• Work closely with Asset Management Design & Construction to assist in overseeing major maintenance and redevelopment programs focused on optimizing asset utilization and operational efficiency. 
• Provide leadership and management oversight of the Aviation team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment. 
• Manage the Foreign Trade Zone activities for the City of New York to ensure maximum utilization and benefits for prospective and existing users.   
• Undertake any additional duties as assigned by the Asset Management SVP of Ports, Waterfront and Transportation. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public/transportation policy, urban planning, economics, engineering or a related field