Chief Executive Officer, Denver International Airport
Situated approximately 24 miles northeast of downtown Denver, DEN is the primary air carrier airport serving the region. According to Airports Council International, in 2025, DEN was the fourth busiest airport in the United States and the tenth busiest in the world, serving 82.4 million annual passengers. DEN spans a 53-square-mile campus—twice the size of Manhattan—and is the second largest physical airport in the world. The passenger terminal complex is reached via Peña Boulevard, a 12-mile dedicated access road connecting Interstate 70 and E-470 toll highway. DEN has six runways: four north-south and two east-west, with five at 12,000 feet long and 150 feet wide, and one at 16,000 feet long and 200 feet wide, accommodating fully loaded jumbo jets like the Airbus A-380. DEN is a major hub for United, Southwest, and Frontier Airlines, supporting over 43,000 badged employees, 25 commercial airlines, 236 nonstop destinations, and generating an annual economic impact of more than $47 billion for Colorado.
About the role
The city is seeking a driven, dynamic, results-oriented leader to employ strategic and tactical leadership, ensuring DEN remains a strong economic engine for the region while providing safe, efficient facilities and superior services to airlines, passengers, concessionaires, and other airport stakeholders. This is an at-will, charter position appointed by the Mayor.
Pay
$346,975
Benefits
- Guaranteed life-long monthly pension, vested after 5 years of service
- 457B Retirement Plan
- 140 hours of PTO earned within the first year, plus 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day, and 1 volunteer day per year
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date
Schedule
This is an in-person role. The City and County of Denver values in-person interactions and requires all appointee positions to work on-site.