Senior Vice President, Airport Operations

Directly and/or through subordinate Vice Presidents, plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates airport operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused operations across DCA and IAD.

Provides executive leadership to the Airport Managers and Operational Support organizations, establishing strategic priorities, operational objectives, and performance expectations.

Ensures operational compliance with applicable FAA, TSA, DHS, OSHA, environmental, and other federal, state, and local regulations, Airports Authority policies, and industry best practices.

Establishes, approves, and continuously evaluates enterprise operational policies, standard operating procedures, governance frameworks, and performance standards to promote consistency, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across both airports.

Ensures safe operating conditions throughout the airfields, terminals, landside facilities, and operational infrastructure while promoting a culture of safety, security, and accountability.

Provides executive leadership during emergencies, major incidents, irregular operations, and continuity of operations events, ensuring coordinated response and recovery among internal departments and external agencies.

Collaborates with airlines, tenants, federal agencies, local governments, and regional stakeholders to resolve operational issues, improve service delivery, and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Develops and implements enterprise operational strategies, performance measures, and continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Provides executive oversight of operational budgets, workforce planning, and resource allocation and ensures divisions operate within appropriate budget.

Collaborates with executive leadership to identify emerging operational challenges, evaluate business opportunities, anticipate future aviation trends, and develop innovative operational solutions that support sustainable organizational growth.

Collaborates with Engineering,  Legal, Revenue, Real Estate, Finance, Procurement,  Information Technology, and other executive leaders to integrate operational requirements into capital improvement projects, technology initiatives, and long-range planning.

Monitors emerging operational risks, industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements and recommends strategies to improve operational performance and organizational resilience.

Assumes Executive Vice President and COO duties and responsibilities in their absence.

Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in airport operations, aviation, transportation, military operations, or a similarly complex operational environment.

Experience as a second level or higher supervisor directing multiple operational divisions through senior managers.

Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, standards, and ordinances governing airport operations, aviation safety, security, emergency management, environmental compliance, and public administration.

Knowledge of airport operations, FAA Part 139 requirements, TSA security requirements, Safety Management Systems (SMS), emergency management, and airport business continuity.

Knowledge of strategic planning, organizational leadership, performance measurement, and operational excellence principles.

Ability to develop enterprise strategies that align operational performance with organizational goals.

Ability to make sound executive decisions involving complex operational, financial, and regulatory issues.

Strong leadership, collaboration, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Ability to make decisions and develop innovative approaches to deal with frequent change, unexpected events, conflict, and uncertain situations.

Ability to analyze complex operational issues and develop practical, innovative solutions.

Commitment to ethics, integrity, accountability, and public service.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with executive leadership, Board members, government officials, airlines, tenants, and external stakeholders.

Master's Degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Public Administration, Engineering, Transportation, or a related field.

State driver's license in good standing.

May travel between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and other Airports Authority facilities.

May be exposed to adverse weather conditions, aircraft noise, moving vehicles, construction activities, and other operational environments during inspections or emergency response.

Subject to holdover, recall, and after-hours response during emergencies, severe weather, security incidents, or other operational events.

Work is reviewed through organizational performance, strategic outcomes, customer service, operational effectiveness, fiscal stewardship, and achievement of Airports Authority objectives.