Aviation Director

Salary
$ - $ Annually

Location
Various Locations within the City of El Paso, TX

Job Type
Unclassified

Job Number
U

Department
FINANCE AND ADMIN

Opening Date
06/22/2026

Closing Date
Continuous

FLSA
Exempt

The City of El Paso is seeking a highly qualified and collaborative Aviation Director for its Aviation Department. The Director will manage and direct El Paso International Airport operations, including business and financial operations, airfield and building maintenance, air service development, capital improvement programs, and long-range planning. This executive position reports to the Deputy City Manager and leads a department of approximately 237 FTEs.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in advancing ELP as the gateway to West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen air service and airline relationships, guide modernization and capital delivery, maintain FAA and TSA compliance, generate revenue, support Foreign-Trade Zone 68 and airport business development, and build a culture where employees are informed, respected, accountable, and able to thrive.

The City of El Paso (Pop. 683,012) is a full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Known as the Sun City, El Paso offers a dynamic borderland setting rich in history, culture, food, arts, and outdoor recreation. Framed by the Franklin Mountains and connected to New Mexico and Mexico, El Paso combines big-city services, regional influence, and a welcoming community identity.

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Public or Aviation Administration or a related field, plus eight (8) years of professional airport administration or operations experience, including four (4) years in a managerial capacity.

A valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state is required by date of appointment. Residency within the City of El Paso city limits is required by date of employment. The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check, maintain federally mandated airport security clearance, and be available for emergency recall and extended hours as needed.

Under administrative direction, manage and direct the operations of the El Paso International Airport, including business and financial operations, airfield and building maintenance, air service development, capital improvement programs, and long-range planning.

• Plan, organize, control, and provide overall direction of airport operations. Involves:
  Providing direction in issues relating to airlines and other tenants, reviewing and overseeing business and real estate matters, reviewing operations, including safety and security issues associated with and required by Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) regulations.
• Plan, develop, and monitor long-term facility development plans for the airport and associated aviation and industrial properties.
• Direct and oversee airport and airfield maintenance issues and programs, and promote the observation of safe work practices.
• Direct and oversee strategic marketing campaigns, air service strategic objectives, and plans to expand air service to increase airport usage. Initiate and oversee the negotiation of contractual agreements to generate a positive economic impact of air service to the region.
• Review and evaluate service delivery methods and systems, including administrative, control, and security systems and internal relationships. Involves:
  Identifying opportunities for improvement and recommending improvements to systems and standard operating procedures to enhance operations and customer service.
• Establish work priorities, monitor work progress, develop and monitor departmental operating and capital improvement budgets, and approve purchases and expenditures.
• Respond to and resolve sensitive and complex inquiries and complaints, including requests of the City Manager, Mayor, Council, federal agencies, and department directors for information and interpretation.
• Represent the City at various meetings and conferences and interact with a wide range of officials, regulatory agencies, airport tenants, department directors, coworkers, and the public.
• Understanding of FAA Part 107 requirements, pilot certification, CoWAs, and ensure strong citywide UAS record keeping. Knowledge of BLOVS and airspace risk management. The ability to oversee the integration of UAS operations into broader airport safety, security, and economic development goals.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, discipline, and recommendations for hiring, promotion, termination or other employee status changes.

• Exceptional Communicator and Trust Builder
  - The candidate must be skilled…