Director, Airport Planning

Aero Nouvelle; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ottawa International Airport Authority is seeking an inaugural Director, Airport Planning. The role leads the strategic long‑term evolution of the airport through master planning, infrastructure development, and capital planning, coordinating with the VP and cross‑functional teams.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in airport or large-scale infrastructure planning, is a skilled leader, and can navigate complex stakeholder environments.

Qualifications

• Evidence of master planning, infrastructure planning, and capital planning experience.
• Experience leading complex planning initiatives in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Advanced written and spoken English; bilingualism (English/French) considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic long-term planning for the airport's evolution through master planning, infrastructure development, and capital planning.
• Collaborate with the VP and project teams to define requirements and ensure alignment with operational needs.
• Build and mentor multidisciplinary teams across planning efforts in a complex stakeholder environment.

Skills

Master planning

Infrastructure planning

Capital planning

Stakeholder management

Leadership

English fluency

Education

Planning/Engineering/Architecture credentials

Job description

The Ottawa International Airport Authority connects Canada's National Capital Region to destinations across the country and around the world. As one of Canada's key transportation gateways, the Authority is committed to providing a safe, efficient, and exceptional passenger experience while planning thoughtfully for the future. With planned infrastructure investments and a long-term vision for growth, OIAA is embarking on a transformative period that will shape the airport for decades to come.

It is within this exciting context that the Airport Authority is seeking an inaugural Director, Airport Planning (Director).

Reporting to the Vice President, Major Capital & Infrastructure (VP), the Director leads the strategic planning of the airport's long-term evolution through comprehensive master planning, infrastructure development, and capital planning initiatives. In close collaboration with the VP, the Director also establishes the functional and operational requirements that underpin major infrastructure projects before they transition to project delivery teams for execution. From master planning and expansion strategies to the conceptual planning that informs major capital investments, the Director ensures individual projects are planned within the context of the airport's broader operational and strategic vision.

As the ideal candidate, you are an accomplished planning professional with experience leading complex infrastructure planning initiatives in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments. Your background may be rooted in airport planning or other sophisticated infrastructure sectors including urban planning, healthcare, higher education, architecture, or large institutional campuses. You are a respectful and collaborative leader who thrives in environments characterized by change and ambiguity, balancing long-term organizational objectives with evolving operational needs. A critical and strategic thinker who is highly accountable and results oriented, through thoughtful leadership, sound judgment, and exceptional relationship-building skills, you inspire confidence among colleagues, executives, regulators, and external partners alike. Ideally, you bring significant experience in master planning, infrastructure planning, and organizational growth within complex environments. Experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams, engaging diverse staff, and managing planning initiatives through all phases of development will be highly valued. Professional credentials in planning, engineering, architecture, or related disciplines are desirable. An advanced level of oral expression, comprehension and writing abilities in English is a requirement. Bilingualism (in English and French) will be considered assets.

This is an exceptional opportunity to influence the future of one of Canada's most important transportation hubs while leading a growing team through a period of significant investment and organizational growth.

The Authority is committed to the principles of Employment Equity and to achieving a workforce that is representative of the diversity of the Canadian population. We strongly encourage candidates to self-identify if they are Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, women or members of visible minorities.