Senior Airport Manager

About the role

KDG Construction Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Airport Manager responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the airport. This position oversees day-to-day airside, landside, maintenance, subtenant coordination, budgeting, emergency response, and regulatory compliance activities. The Senior Airport Manager serves as a key representative of the airport with subtenants, pilots, vendors, regulatory agencies, emergency responders, state/regional/local government representatives, and the general public.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily airport operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and reliable service for aircraft operators, pilots, tenants, employees, and visitors.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with the City of Oceanside and its designated representatives in coordinating airport services, airfield projects, and community relations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration, state, local, and airport-specific regulations, policies, and operating procedures.
• Oversee airfield inspections, fueling operations, safety programs, maintenance activities, security procedures, construction coordination, and operational readiness of airport facilities and equipment.
• Coordinate with tenants, pilots, third-party vendors, law enforcement, fire and emergency services, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Lead, supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate airport operations, maintenance, administrative, and support staff as assigned.
• Develop, update, and implement airport operating procedures, fueling procedures, emergency plans, safety practices, security protocols, and a continuity of airport operations plan.
• Monitor and manage (in coordination with KDG Aviation corporate staff) airport budget, subleases/permits/tie-down agreements, airport contracts, revenue opportunities, cost controls, and financial reporting.
• Support and oversee KDG-led construction projects, facility upgrades, pavement management, and coordinate long-term airport development initiatives with KDG Aviation leadership.
• Respond to operational incidents, emergencies, weather events, irregular operations, community concerns, subtenant issues, and service disruptions.
• Prepare reports, briefings, correspondence, performance metrics, staff recommendations, and presentations for executive leadership, governing bodies, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and professional conduct across all airport operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, airport management, public administration, business administration, transportation, engineering, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in airport operations, airport maintenance, aviation administration, transportation operations, or a closely related field.
• Two or more years of supervisory, lead, project management, or management experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of airport operations, maintenance, emergency response, tenant/subtenant relations, and regulatory compliance practices.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to maintain airport driving privileges, as may be required.
• Ability to pass background checks, security clearance requirements, drug screening, or other employment eligibility requirements applicable to the airport environment.

Skills

• Strong leadership, judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in a potentially fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply aviation regulations, airport policies, contracts, subleases, safety standards, and emergency procedures.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to brief leadership, coordinate across agencies, resolve conflicts, and communicate clearly during incidents.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, deadlines, and operational demands.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to maintain productive relationships with the City of Oceanside, airport users, pilots, subtenants, employees, contractors, and the public.
• Working knowledge of budgeting, purchasing, reporting, staff supervision, performance management, and operational performance measurement.
• Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and sound judgment during emergencies, irregular operations, and high-pressure situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at one or more of the following: commercial service, reliever, military, cargo, or general aviation airport.
• Knowledge of FAA airport certification requirements, airport emergency plans, wildlife hazard management, safety management systems, and familiarity with airport grant programs.
• Professional certification or progress toward certification such as AAAE Certified Member (CM), Accredited Airport Executive (AAE), or other aviation-related credential.
• Experience managing construction coordination, airport maintenance programs, tenant/subtenant leases, and operating budgets.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed across all airport geographic environments, including office, airfield, maintenance, construction, and other outdoor environments, and from time to time in off-airport settings.
• May require walking, standing, driving, inspecting facilities, responding to incidents, and working near aircraft, vehicles, equipment, noise, weather, and active operational areas.
• May require availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, emergencies, on-call response, irregular operations, and weather-related events.
• Must follow all airport safety, security, driving, and access-control requirements.

Pay

Hourly rate: $30-$45