Manager, Airport Planning

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, and Cultivate Our Culture.

Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making.

About the role

The Planning, Noise, and Environment department is looking for a Manager, Airport Planning with a collaborative leadership approach to guide the people and planning behind SAN's future growth. This role leads a team of planning professionals while advancing complex work across airport master planning, land use compatibility, capacity and congestion management, environmental review, and long-range infrastructure planning. The ideal candidate will be a relationship-driven leader who brings out the best in people. They will create an environment where employees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow, while setting clear expectations and keeping the team connected to shared priorities.

As America's busiest single-runway airport, planning at SAN comes with an interesting challenge: thinking big doesn't come with unlimited space. That reality calls for creative thinking about growth and capacity, an ability to make complex planning issues understandable, and strong relationships that move important work forward. When space is limited, every planning decision matters—and so does developing the people behind them. For a leader energized by complex planning challenges and the opportunity to make a visible impact, this is a chance to shape SAN's future, and an airport experienced every day by millions of travelers across the world.

Responsibilities

• Lead & Develop the Team: Coach, mentor, and develop planning professionals while setting priorities, managing performance, allocating resources, and building a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Shape Airport Planning: Lead master planning, land use compatibility, regional air transportation planning, and long-range infrastructure efforts that guide SAN's future growth.
• Plan for Capacity & Congestion: Advance planning for airport capacity, congestion management, operational efficiency, demand forecasting, and airfield and terminal utilization within SAN's unique constraints.
• Navigate Complex Requirements: Interpret and apply federal, state, and local planning and environmental requirements, including NEPA, CEQA, and California Coastal Act requirements, while evaluating regulatory and political considerations.
• Build Alignment & Partnerships: Translate complex planning issues for internal teams, leadership, outside agencies, stakeholders, and the public while navigating sensitive issues and building relationships that move work forward.
• Drive Projects & Resources: Oversee consultants, studies, capital and facilities planning efforts, budgets, schedules, grants, contracts, and funding opportunities to deliver planning priorities successfully.

Skills

• Leadership & People Development — Builds trust, adapts leadership approaches, sets clear expectations, coaches and develops employees, recognizes strengths, and empowers others to perform and grow.
• Communication & Influence — Translates complex information for technical and nontechnical audiences; communicates tactfully and persuasively and facilitates productive conversations across diverse stakeholders.
• Critical Thinking & Evaluation — Analyzes complex information, data, programs, and competing considerations to identify alternatives and recommend solutions aligned with organizational objectives.
• Judgment & Decision-Making — Applies sound judgment to complex and sensitive situations; weighs risks, stakeholder interests, and organizational priorities to make thoughtful, timely decisions.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building — Develops trusted relationships across teams and with external partners; navigates differing perspectives with diplomacy and builds alignment around shared outcomes.
• Planning & Agility — Establishes priorities, allocates resources effectively, coordinates cross-functional work, and adapts plans and approaches as conditions, needs, and challenges evolve.

About the Team

The Planning, Noise, and Environment (PNE) department helps shape what comes next for SAN. With work spanning airport and regional planning, land use, noise, and environmental programs, the department brings a long-range perspective on how the airport grows, operates, and connects with the surrounding region. PNE works across disciplines and alongside teams throughout the Airport Authority, serving as thoughtful stewards of the different perspectives, priorities, and interests that shape complex initiatives.

Within PNE, the Airport Planning team is a group of approximately five professionals focused on how SAN can make the most of its space and plan thoughtfully for the future. The team leads work in airport master planning, land-use compatibility, capacity and congestion management, demand forecasting, and long-range infrastructure planning, partnering with teams across the Airport Authority, consultants, external agencies, and regional stakeholders.

Requirements

• Eight years of progressively responsible planning experience in a public agency, airport, or consulting environment, including work in areas such as airport planning, land use compatibility, environmental planning, transportation planning, or capital development.
• At least three of those years of experience in a supervisory or program management capacity.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Urban, Regional or Transportation Planning, Aviation Management, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Designation as an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Professional Transportation Planner (PTP).
• American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) or Certified Member (C.M.).
• LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).
• Project Management Professional (PMP).

Don't meet every requirement? That's okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don't—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays.
• 18 - 33 days of vacation (PTO).
• Parental and child care benefits.
• Salary continuance for family & parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Retirement plan options including a comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan.
• Annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account for personal development and growth activities.

Wellness

• Multiple on-site gyms.
• Outdoor workspaces for relaxation or brainstorming.
• Fitness discounts for all levels and goals.
• Volunteer-time rewards.
• Financial wellness advisors.
• Scenic walking trails near campus.

Pay

The hiring salary for Manager, Airport Planning is starting at $136,312-$156,759. The full pay range for Manager, Airport Planning is $100,971-$171,652.

Schedule

This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department.

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.