Director of Properties; Infrastructure, Properties & Development

Position Summary

The Director of Properties; Infrastructure, Properties and Development is responsible for leading the team that manages JetBlue’s relationships and its portfolio of leases at its 109 airports.

The Director of Properties is dedicated to ensuring JetBlue’s financial and operational interests in all of the BlueCities are heard, respected and actioned by our airport operator business partners. The Director of Properties has primary responsibilities for JetBlue’s rents and landing fees at our airports and will manage high profile, complex and detail-oriented projects to ensure we have the gates and real estate to operate successfully. The Director of Properties is comfortable interfacing with airport authority leadership and presenting to Executive leadership and business partners. The Director of Properties is responsible to solicit and coordinate input from JetBlue’s stakeholders, and to present strategies on long range planning, policy and financial issues.

The Director of Properties enjoys interacting daily with people at different levels within the organization including developing and maintaining ongoing relationships with operational leaders and is an effective leader whose personal values match JetBlue’s Values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Fun, and Passion.

Essential Responsibilities

• Implement negotiation strategies and participates in all negotiations with airlines, airports, and governments over rents, landing fees, and real estate to achieve our network, cost and strategic objectives
• Manage budget for rents and landing fees and recommends policies regarding real estate utilization and cost management
• Lead internal processes to support key strategic airport related investments and leases, including business case development and investment committee presentations
• Demonstrate creative solutions to meet corporate objectives while balancing needs of internal and airport stakeholders
• Negotiate leases with non-airport landlords for support center real estate
• Provide financial analyses including monthly variance analyses and annual budget preparation (to include airport rents and landing fees)
• Monitor costs, recommend and implement cost saving strategies
• Establish and maintain business relationships with airports throughout the JetBlue System, and negotiate access to new airports’ facilities including the management of airport leases, permits, licenses or agreements
• Negotiate on JetBlue’s behalf during Airline Airport Affairs Committee (AAAC) meetings
• Take a significant role in the development of crewmembers to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate or Business or similar; OR demonstrated capability to perform job responsibilities with a High School Diploma/GED and at least four (4) years of previous relevant work experience
• Seven (7) years airline, airport management, or commercial real estate experience
• Three (3) years leadership experience
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation and analytical skills
• Able to collaborate with and influence internal and external stakeholders
• Available for frequent overnight travel (25%)
• In possession of valid travel documents with the ability to travel in and out of the United States
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
• Authorization to work in the US is required. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Previous Airport Affairs responsibilities
• Understanding of airport business plans and ability to analyze and maximize financial opportunities
• Reading and understanding airport leases and contracts
• Preparing annual budgets with regard to annual airport leases and use rates
• Building consensus with airlines at each airport to present a common position to the airport
• Holding a leadership role in the airline community in various committees and associations
• Participating in a large scale redevelopment as a key stakeholder
• Understanding of debt and bond financing

Crewmember Expectations:

• Regular attendance and punctuality
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short-notice
• Able to maintain a professional appearance
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun
• Must fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue’s Safety Management System
• Promote JetBlue’s #1 value of safety as a Safety Ambassador, supporting JetBlue’s Safety Management System (SMS) components, Safety Policy, and behavioral standards
• Identify safety and/or security concerns, issues, incidents or hazards that should be reported and report them whenever possible and by any means necessary including JetBlue’s confidential reporting systems (Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and Safety Action Report (SAR))
• Responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT, etc.) and Company policies, procedures and risk controls
• Uphold JetBlue’s safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities

Equipment:

• Computer and other office equipment

Work Environment:

• Airport Environment
• Traditional Office Environment

Physical Effort:

• Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)

Compensation:

• The base pay range for this position is between $165,000 and $185,000 per year. Base pay is one component of JetBlue’s total compensation package, which may also include performance bonuses, restricted stock units, as well as access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.