Director, Airside & Terminal Operations

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our purpose is to create an exceptional airport experience for the community and the world.  We embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals.

Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that thrives on diversity and shared mindsets of collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, listening, and believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today.

The Airside & Terminal Operations Department is seeking an experienced and visionary leader with strong strategic foresight and operational finesse for the role of Director, Airside & Terminal Operations. As the busiest single runway airport in the nation, we are pursuing a leader who can oversee all aspects of airport operations related to the efficient and safe movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo on a space constrained footprint. The successful candidate will be skilled in collaboration and listening well, systems thinking, pursuing thoughtful decision-making in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, and grasping the technical nuances this position requires. This key leader will align with our organizational mission to ensure a seamless travel experience for all airport users and:

• Provides leadership and direction to a diverse team of airport staff, including airside and terminal operations managers, supervisors, and frontline employees, ensuring cohesive teamwork and efficient operations.
• Fosters competencies, accountability, development, diversity, inclusion, empowerment, and learning within the team. Recognizes and rewards achievements, provides ongoing feedback and coaching, completes corrective actions, and oversees consulting services.
• Develops and executes departmental strategic plans aligned with organizational goals and objectives. Ensures compliance with aviation mandates and standards in airside and terminal operations, safety, and customer relations programs to maintain a safe and secure airport environment.
• Develops and manages budgets for airside and terminal operations. Ensures efficient use of resources while maintaining high standards of service and safety. Formulates and communicates goals, objectives, and budget processes to align with organizational strategies and performance metrics.
• Collaborates with other organizational leaders in the development and execution of comprehensive emergency response plans for incidents, ranging from aircraft emergencies to security threats, irregular operations, and natural disasters. Oversees the allocation of common-use resources (gates, ticket counters, etc.).
• Collaborates with airlines, government agencies, vendors, and other stakeholders to optimize airport operations and enhance the passenger experience. Advises executives and others on projects and issues. Represents the organization in public-facing presentations and engagements, formulates and communicates goals, objectives, budgets, and processes. Keeps current on industry and regulatory trends.
• Advocates for a customer-centric approach, ensuring a positive experience for passengers, airlines, and other airport users, including oversight of the Airport Ambassador volunteer program. Engages with the public to gather feedback and address concerns, fostering a positive public image and building trust with the community.
• Oversees the evaluation and implementation of cutting-edge technologies and automation solutions and helps identify capital improvement opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and elevate customer service standards, stays current on industry and regulatory trends to inform technological advancements.
• Supports sustainability efforts by promoting environmentally sustainable practices and initiatives, including energy efficiency, emissions reductions, and waste reduction.

Competencies:

1. Executes Strategy: Develops and executes departmental strategies designed to support organizational vision and goal attainment, ensuring a balanced approach that integrates departmental needs with broader organizational priorities.

2. Collaboration & Change Management: Manages organizational change by creating a sense of urgency, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and resolving conflicts to ensure smooth transitions.

3. Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and relational skills in interactions with colleagues and stakeholders to build a positive and productive work environment.

4. Infl