Director, Airport Planning

The Director of Airport Planning plays a key leadership role in shaping the future of Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and the Reliever Airports. Reporting to the Vice President of Planning and Development, this position leads the strategy, vision, and execution of long-term airport planning that drives innovation, enhances passenger experience, and supports Minnesota’s continued growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking planning professional to guide major initiatives, from master plans and airport layout plans to environmental review and zoning processes, while collaborating with a wide network of partners including MAC departments, airport tenants, regional agencies, and federal aviation stakeholders. The Director will inspire and develop a talented planning team, champion continuous improvement, and ensure planning efforts align with near-term development priorities and long-term strategic goals.

The successful candidate will bring both technical expertise and visionary leadership, helping set planning priorities, shape capital improvement program decisions, and modernize how MAC approaches airport planning. If you’re energized by leading complex, meaningful work that impacts millions of travelers and strengthens regional infrastructure, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Questions regarding this position can be directed to Nicole.

Kiefer or .

MAC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If an accommodation is required for you to participate in the application process because of a disability, please contact Tekia Jefferson at  or Tekia.

Jefferson.

MAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, nationality, or disability.

• Establishes and maintains MAC vision for all planning efforts and provides direction to planning staff to provide consistent work products and services for all seven of the MAC airports.
• Integrate MAC’s mission, vision, values and strategic goals into all areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for the growth and development of other planning staff members and ensuring all planning products created by other planners meet MAC organizational goals and objectives.
• Oversight and responsibility for approving airport planning projects and documents, project scopes, project budgets and project schedules, including airport zoning processes.
• Oversight and responsibility for airport planning consultants, consultant contracts, assigning work to planning staff, approving project scopes and fees, and reviewing/approving consultant invoices.
• Direct oversight of long-term plans/master plans and airport layout plans and all other planning documents; ensure other planning staff members are managing these projects according to the MAC planning vision.
• Direct and manage state airport safety zoning and variance processes.
• Direct environmental review processes/projects managed by other planning staff for facility development.
• Direct the execution of presentation content development and hold project team meetings with stakeholders, MAC staff, airlines airport tenants and consultants to review projects and keep them updated and informed as projects move through schedules and phases.
• Serve as the MAC primary liaison with appropriate regulatory agencies, cities, counties, and the state in compliance with FAA/MnDOT criteria, rules and standards.
• Demonstrate creativity, foresight and mature judgment in anticipating and solving unpredictable problems.
• Remain current on trends in airport planning, development and the aviation industry.

• Coordinate with Airport Development staff to develop a vision for MAC planning…