CEO, Saint John Airport

Odgers Berndtson; Saint John; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint John Airport Inc. is seeking a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead its growth and operations. The successful candidate will manage business development, stakeholder relations, and financial stewardship while driving community impact. Apply now for a chance to shape the future of regional air travel.

Benefits

Equal opportunity employer commitment

Diversity, equity, and inclusion focus

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities

Qualifications

• Senior executive experience in aviation, transportation, or infrastructure.
• Success in business development and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to build partnerships with government and local communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall operations and performance of the airport.
• Drive business development and enhance service to passengers.
• Build new revenue streams and manage regulatory compliance.

Skills

Visionary Leadership

Strategic Planning

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Engagement

Operational Excellence

Job description

Saint John Airport Inc. (YSJ) is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to delivering safe, efficient, and modern air travel for Greater Saint John and southwestern New Brunswick. As a self-sustaining organization, YSJ generates its own revenue, reinvesting profits into airport operations and local communities. With over 180,000 passengers in 2024 and growth projected to reach 300,000 by 2027, the airport plays a vital role as a regional economic engine and transportation hub. Its strategic priorities include increasing passenger volumes, enhancing the traveller experience, developing airport lands, fostering collaborative partnerships, and embedding safety and sustainability into all operations.

YSJ is now seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization through its next phase of growth. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be accountable for overall operations and performance, ensuring the airport’s continued growth in alignment with its five-year strategic plan. The CEO will oversee a wide range of responsibilities including business and route development, airline and stakeholder relations, financial stewardship, terminal planning, land development, and regulatory compliance. A key priority will be building new revenue streams through commercial partnerships and the development of YSJ’s nearly 600 acres of available land, while also enhancing service to passengers and strengthening the airport’s brand locally and nationally.

The ideal candidate is a visionary and collaborative leader with a proven ability to drive growth and deliver operational excellence. You bring senior executive experience in aviation, transportation, infrastructure, or a similarly complex, regulated environment, along with demonstrated success in business development, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Your ability to build partnerships with government, Indigenous communities, airlines, business leaders, and the broader public will be critical to advancing YSJ’s ambitious goals. You are an empowering leader with strong financial acumen, a deep understanding of risk and compliance, and a passion for community impact and sustainability.

To fill this position, Saint John Airport has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online below, ideally by August 8th, 2025.

We thank all those who express an interest; however, only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Saint John Airport is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019, and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and Saint John Airport throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our