Planner, Management, Operations Manager

Airport Grants Manager Senior

Job Location:

AERONAUTICS, 206 S. 17th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85007

Salary: $66,500.00 - $76,500.00 (anticipated $71,500.00) Grade: 22 Closing Date:
June 4th, 2026

Direct a complex portfolio of 200–250 airport development, master planning, and land acquisition initiatives across 65 regional airports. Serve as the primary fiscal authority for state grant issuance, oversee eligibility auditing, fund disbursements, and high‑impact change order approvals. Partner strategically with the FAA to resolve joint‑funding challenges and ensure seamless alignment between state and federal aviation accounts. Spearhead the formulation of the annual 5‑year AZ Capital Improvement Project (ACIP), driving executive stakeholder communications to secure State Transportation Board approval.

Champion statewide operational excellence by leading comprehensive on‑site inspections, enforcing strict regulatory compliance, and facilitating high‑stakes stakeholder negotiations across Arizona.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's business needs and meeting performance measures. The State of Arizona offers a flexible remote work program; all remote work must be performed within Arizona unless pre‑authorized.

• Audit and authorize critical sponsor documentation to guarantee absolute compliance and eligibility across the grant portfolio; oversee grant applications, consultant and construction contracts, and complex financial reimbursement frameworks.
• Govern the end‑to‑end lifecycle of grant agreements, change orders, and amendments through strategic research and rigorous execution.
• Evaluate and authorize complex financial reimbursement portfolios, auditing project costs to ensure adherence to multi‑agency regulatory mandates.
• Serve as the definitive liaison to the FAA and airport sponsors, driving high‑level communications to expedite funding workflows and ensure programmatic compliance.
• Chair alignment initiatives between FAA sponsors and consultants to optimize project execution and strict scope, budget, and schedule adherence.
• Direct a statewide portfolio of 200–250 airport development, master planning, and land acquisition programs across 65 airports.
• Spearhead coordination with sponsors and agencies to formulate the five‑year Capital Improvement Program for State Transportation Board approval.
• Direct rigorous evaluation, prioritization, and technical eligibility auditing of all project submittals, serving as the final authority on documentation integrity and program readiness.
• Direct strategic curation and executive presentation of Priority Planning and Advisory Committee agenda items for the Aeronautics Group.
• Establish evaluation frameworks to identify and advance top 5% high‑priority capital projects, commanding final submission to secure Board ratification.
• Command comprehensive financial and regulatory auditing of sponsor grants to validate compliance and execute final program closure; mitigate long‑term risk by vetting closeout documentation, reconciling remaining funding, and verifying adherence to statutes.

• Airport development program (comprehensive)
• AZ revised statutes pertaining to grant and project activities
• State airport systems plans/objectives
• Federal regulations pertaining to airport operations/development such as FAR Part 139, 150, 107, and 151
• Grant eligibility and administration
• Legal definitions within state statutes and local laws
• Government accounting practices and principles
• Project management techniques
• Conducting business meetings

• Proficient technical writing, oral communication, and report delivery
• Analysis and research methods
• Administration and prioritization of duties
• Organization and time management
• Resource allocation
• Customer service to executive management and stakeholders
• Self‑motivation and strong organizational management
• Project management and coordination methodologies
• Interpersonal relationship building
• Proficiency with email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and contract management software
• Google Workspace and Microsoft Office