Director, Airport Operations

Minimum Salary:

Maximum Salary:

The Port of Seattle is unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

Salary offers will be made within the posted range. Placement within the range will be determined based on your similar work experience. The Port considers work experience to be similar if the scope and level of responsibility of your prior positions match the job being offered.

Applications will be reviewed regularly, and interviews may be conducted prior to the close date.

As the Director, Airport Operations, you will lead and oversee the day-to-day operations at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). You will ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused operations across the airfield, terminal, landside, Airport Communications Center (ACC), operational readiness and activation (ORAT), air cargo operations, and operational safety programs.

• You will support Aviation Division objectives through operational planning, implementation of operational initiatives, development of operational procedures, and coordination of operational activities across Airport Operations functions.
• You will identify and implement operational efficiencies, process improvements, and service enhancements while maintaining operational effectiveness.
• You will lead a large, multi-functional operational workforce, and be responsible for leadership, coaching, performance management, staffing plans, and succession planning.
• You will develop and manage departmental operating budgets, staffing plans, operational contracts, and resource allocation.
• You will ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 139 requirements, airport certification standards, Safety Management System (SMS) requirements, and all applicable operational regulations and procedures.
• You will maintain strong working relationships with airlines, FAA, Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP), emergency response agencies, tenants, contractors, and other airport stakeholders. You will also coordinate operational activities and represent Airport Operations in internal and external operational forums and meetings.
• You will support implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) principles, operational audits, performance monitoring, and corrective action programs. You also will collaborate closely with the Port’s Health and Safety leadership to ensure alignment on programs, compliance requirements, and operational priorities.
• You will oversee terminal and landside operational performance, including passenger flow, curbside operations, public parking, employee parking, ground transportation systems, transit operations, traffic management, and operational coordination with airlines, tenants, and service providers.
• You will lead operational response and coordination during irregular operations (IROPs), emergencies, severe weather events, security incidents, operational disruptions, and other time-sensitive operational events. You will ensure timely operational decision-making, stakeholder coordination, and effective communication across airport partners and operational departments.
• You will oversee operational readiness planning and activation activities associated with capital projects, operational changes, construction activities and facility transitions.

• Experienced – You have eight (8) years of experience in commercial airport or airline operations and three (3) years of experience supervising staff and a function of operations.
• Desired – We hope you have a bachelor’s degree in aviation management, business administration, public administration, transportation, or other closely related field, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) or Airport Council International (ACI) professional certifications, and/or Incident Command System (ICS) training or certifications.
• Committed to Equity – You will apply equity and exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work. At the Port of Seattle, equity is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all Port employees.
• Leader – You have advanced leadership skills, with the ability to lead teams and influence others…