Chief Operating Officer

About the role

The Chief Operating Officer ("COO") provides executive leadership, direction, and oversight for the operational functions of the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority ("HMCAA"), including airport operations, public safety, facilities and maintenance, and International Intermodal Center operations (air cargo and rail) at HMCAA. The COO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and is responsible for the safe, secure, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation of the Authority's operational departments.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for multiple operational departments while ensuring safe, efficient, compliant, and customer-focused operations.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates airport operations, public safety, facilities and maintenance, environmental programs, capital improvement initiatives, and intermodal (rail and air cargo) operations.
• Develops, administers, and monitors operating and capital budgets, contracts, procurement activities, and organizational resources.
• Analyzes complex operational issues, assesses organizational risk, makes sound decisions, and implements effective solutions during both routine operations and emergency situations.
• Develops and implements organizational goals, policies, operating procedures, performance measures, and strategic initiatives that support the Authority's mission and long-term objectives.
• Led, motivates, develops, and evaluates department managers while fostering collaboration, accountability, succession planning, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Cross-functional activities among Authority departments to ensure efficient operations and successful completion of strategic initiatives and capital projects.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with airlines, tenants, government agencies, regulatory officials, contractors, consultants, elected officials, employees, and the public.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, including presenting information to executive leadership, the Board of Directors, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represents the Authority in meetings, negotiations, emergency response activities, and industry organizations while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, business, or a closely related field;
• Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience at commercial service airports in operations, including a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A.A.E. designation from the A.A.A.E.

Benefits

The Airport Authority's excellent benefits include:

• Local Government Health Insurance (BCBS)
• Health Reimbursement Account
• State Retirement
• 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability
• Educational Assistance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance