Director, Airport Planning

Les Industries DICI inc.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ottawa International Airport Authority invites applications for inaugural Director, Airport Planning. You will guide the airport's long-term evolution through master planning, infrastructure development, and capital planning, ensuring alignment with operational needs and strategic objectives.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned planning professional with experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, strong leadership, and credentials in planning/engineering/architecture; English fluency

Qualifications

• Proven leadership to guide large, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in master planning and infrastructure planning.
• Credential in planning, engineering, architecture or related discipline desirable.
• Advanced English; bilingualism in English and French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term strategic planning for airport expansion and capital projects.
• Oversee master planning, infrastructure development, and budget stewardship.
• Collaborate with regulators, executives, and external partners.
• Build and mentor cross-functional teams through project lifecycles.

Skills

Strategic Planning

People Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Multi-stakeholder Environments

Change Management

Education

Master's in Planning/Engineering/Architecture

Tools

ArcGIS

GIS Modelling

Project Management Tools

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.