Director, Airport Planning

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

Job summary

Ottawa International Airport Authority seeks an inaugural Director of Airport Planning to lead long-term strategic planning, master planning, and capital planning for the airport's growth. The role requires directing cross-functional teams, coordinating with senior leadership, regulators, and partners to ensure plans align with the organization’s vision.

The ideal candidate brings substantial experience in planning for complex infrastructure, advanced English communications, and a collaborative

Qualifications

• Advanced level of oral expression, comprehension and writing abilities in English.
• Bilingualism in English and French will be considered assets.
• Experience leading complex infrastructure planning initiatives in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience in master planning, infrastructure planning, and organizational growth within complex environments.
• Experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams and managing planning initiatives through all phases.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning of the airport's long-term evolution through master planning, infrastructure development, and capital planning initiatives.
• Establish functional and operational requirements for major infrastructure projects before transition to delivery teams.
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure projects align with the airport's broader strategic vision.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Master planning

Infrastructure planning

Relationship building

English communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Urban Planning, Engineering, or Architecture

Professional credentials in planning, engineering, or architecture

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.

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.