Manager, Terminal Operations

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; 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:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that thrives on diversity and is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always 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 and help us connect our community to the world.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location:  The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline.
• Salary: The hiring salary for Manager, Terminal Operations is starting at $108,370. The full pay range for Manager, Terminal Operations is $89,194-$151,629.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), annual employer funded Lifestyle Spending Account which you can use to invest in your personal development and growth activities, parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and more!
• Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
• Application Deadline: January 23, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

The Terminal Operations department is seeking a Manager, Terminal Operations with a proactive and collaborative approach to oversee the dynamic and ever-evolving needs of SAN’s terminal operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless coordination of staff, programs, and projects while maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. As a face of the airport for its tenants—including airlines, concessionaires, and service providers—you will foster strong partnerships, advocate for tenant success, and align operational priorities with the airport’s strategic goals.

This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative projects, manage high impact programs, and represent both the airport and its tenants in delivering an exceptional passenger experience. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels in collaborative problem-solving, and is adept at adapting to industry trends and evolving passenger needs. With a focus on delivering operational excellence and supporting tenant growth, this position plays a key role in shaping the future of terminal operations—setting the highest standards in safety, security, and enhancing the passenger journey from arrival to departure in San Diego’s most critical hub of transportation.

What You’ll Do:

• Team Leadership: Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and customer-focused work environment. Coach and develop team members, recognize achievements, and ensure accountability.
• Performance Management: Set performance goals and personal development targets for staff. Provide regular feedback, coaching, and recognition, and address performance issues in accordance with HR standards.
• Project and Program Oversight: Lead terminal operations programs and projects, manage resources and consultants, and ensure completion on time and within budget. Oversee contracts, billing processes, and procurement-related tasks.
• Workforce Planning: Align staffing needs with operational goals and evolving terminal demands to ensure adequate coverage and expertise. Prepare personnel justifications, assess compensation, and support team development through strategic initiatives.
• Operational Leadership: Ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented environment that supports the Authority’s mission and promotes workplace diversity and positive employee relations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the Authority in meetings with airlines, consortiums, and governmental organizations. Stay current with industry trends, coordinate with external partners, and deliver presentations to stakeholders.

The Skills We Are Looking For:

1. Leadership: Inspires and motivates others, supports team development, recognizes achievements, and ensures goals are met.
2. Project Management: Plans and manages projects efficiently, ensuring collaboration and timely completion.
3. Influence: Builds trust and gains support for ideas, solutions, and initiatives.
4. Critical Thinking: Identifies problems, evaluates options, and chooses the best solutions while actively listening and clarifying information.
5. Adaptability: Adjusts to new information, changing priorities, and unexpected challenges with ease.
6. Communication: Clearly conveys ideas, resolves conflicts, listens actively, and works effectively with others.

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Four years of progressively responsible administration and coordination of airport terminal operations and programs experience of which at least one year was in a supervisory capacity, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in in aviation management or a related field.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.

Special Requirements :

• Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.
• Please note that this position may require availability on holidays, weekends, and nights based on operational needs. Flexibility is essential to support the demands of this role.

Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

ACI-ICAO Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP), Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) (American Association of Airport Executives), Certified Member (CM) (American Association of Airport Executives), Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Operations, Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.

**Lacking some of the skills or experiences we've listed? No worries! Here at the San Diego International Airport, we're on a mission to cultivate a workforce as dynamic and diverse as the community we serve. While certain roles may require specific qualifications, we understand that talent comes in many forms. Some of our positions may not require specific degrees, and we're always open to individuals who bring a willingness to learn and a commitment to excellence. If you think this could be you, we encourage you to apply, and even if this position isn't the right role for you, we will add you to our database to consider for other opportunities in the future that align with your unique knowledge and skills. There's a chance we have the perfect spot for you to land!

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.