Ground Transportation & Parking Manager

Syracuse Hancock International Airport is growing, and the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) is looking for a dedicated professional to join our team as a full-time Ground Transportation and Parking Manager. This role oversees the commercial strategy for the airport’s parking and ground transportation portfolio, ensuring passenger access via car, rideshare, taxi, or shuttle enhances satisfaction while driving revenue and profitability.

About the role

This position executes the commercial strategy and operations of ground transportation and parking options, collaborating with stakeholders critical to the program’s success. Responsibilities include oversight of the Authority’s parking operations subsidiary, governance, performance management, financial oversight, and strategic alignment. The role also ensures compliance, manages ground transportation relationships, enforces regulations, and oversees day-to-day parking operations, including parking decks, surface lots, rental car facilities, and employee parking.

The Manager will relentlessly focus on delivering a best-in-class parking and ground transportation program that reflects the Authority’s brand standards and evolves with passenger behaviors and expectations. Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, this role requires independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy when dealing with stakeholders, passengers, and employees.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for the public and airport tenants regarding airport parking policy, procedure, and ordinances.
• Manage the Ground Transportation permit process, including reviewing applications, approving permits, and communicating with applicants.
• Provide oversight and governance of the Authority’s parking operations subsidiary to ensure alignment with SRAA strategic, financial, and operational objectives.
• Review and analyze subsidiary financial reports, including revenue performance, operating expenses, and capital planning.
• Partner with subsidiary leadership on rate-setting strategy, revenue optimization, and business planning.
• Develop and maintain ground transportation KPIs and related dashboards.
• Oversee contracts with ground transportation providers (RACs, TNC, Taxi, Courtesy Shuttles, etc.) and serve as the airport liaison to ensure compliance.
• Administer ordinances and policies related to public parking fees and correspondence.
• Inspect ground transportation vehicles for proper licensing, authorization, and compliance with equipment requirements.
• Conduct daily spot checks of parking operations to ensure passengers can easily enter, find parking, and exit facilities.
• Ensure proper signage is displayed to communicate lot availability to passengers.
• Monitor the arrival and departure of transportation carriers to maintain scheduled operations and record exceptions.
• Gather and analyze data on parking facility usage, including month-to-month, year-to-year, and peak usage reports.
• Provide feedback to improve the passenger parking experience and share capacity updates with internal teams.
• Ensure ground transportation drivers comply with regulations regarding loitering or entering restricted terminal areas.
• Lead parking and ground transportation goal-setting and planning sessions to align with airport mission, vision, values, and goals.
• Supervise and participate in informing the public about ground transportation services and places of interest.
• Conduct investigations, in conjunction with airport security and law enforcement, of incidents related to ground transportation rules and regulations.
• Assess public parking needs and recommend enhancements to customer service and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate performance of the subsidiary and contracted partners, providing feedback to key operators.
• Provide input on planning and construction related to public parking and CONRAC facilities.
• Analyze ground transportation and parking facility needs and assist the CCO in developing the annual budget.
• Inspect parking facilities, identify maintenance/upgrades needed, and communicate findings to appropriate parties.
• Prepare reports on ground transportation activities and violations of ordinances, laws, or regulations.
• Answer inquiries and complaints from customers regarding ground transportation, parking operations, regulations, and traffic concerns.
• Manage records for ground transportation and parking operations in compliance with the Authority’s retention schedule.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate’s degree and three (3) years of work experience in commercial ground transportation, parking management, or related business operations involving licensing programs and/or business contracts; or
• Completion of sixty (60) semester credit hours and three (3) years of work experience as described above; or
• Five (5) years of work experience as described above; or
• An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.
• Military work experience in parking management, commercial ground transportation operations, or related areas may substitute for educational requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in parking operations, ground transportation management, or a related public-facing operational leadership position.
• Experience managing parking facilities, transportation services, vendors, customer service programs, and regulatory compliance.

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Good knowledge of interpreting and enforcing ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to ground transportation and parking operations.
• Financial acumen, including experience reviewing budgets, P&L statements, and revenue management strategies.
• Ability to manage internal and affiliated entities to achieve performance outcomes.
• Knowledge of contract administration principles and practices.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and project management skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in administering ordinances, rules, and regulations, and in handling emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain professional and respectful working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including operators, security, law enforcement, tenants, vendors, and staff.
• Ability to communicate informatively and tactfully with the general public.
• Ability to prepare a variety of written reports.
• Strong supervisory skills conducive to full performance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan and coordinate multiple programs and activities.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Working knowledge of office methods, procedures, and standard office equipment, including Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, stay organized, and meet deadlines.
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, including the ability to push/pull up to 75 lbs., remain stationary, stand and walk for long periods, and work outside in all weather conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Requirements

• Must obtain and maintain security clearance as required by role and TSA regulations.
• Must successfully complete the E-Verify I-9 process.

Benefits

• Comprehensive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on date of hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Generous paid time off.
• New York State deferred compensation (457b).
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Membership in the New York State Local and Employee Retirement System or alternative Voluntary Defined Contribution Plan for eligible employees.
• Potential eligibility for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

Pay

$85,000 - $105,000 depending on experience.