Airport Deputy Chief Officer - Development

City of Austin; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Austin is seeking an Airport Deputy Chief Officer of Development to lead and manage large-scale capital development programs at AUS. You will guide strategic planning, oversee budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate with City departments and external agencies.

This role requires strong leadership and communication with executive stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in complex airport projects, capital planning, and managing multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, aviation management, Engineering, or related field.
• Six (6) years of related experience, including two (2) years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage programs and initiatives to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range strategic objectives and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, Local, and industry regulations.
• Act as official departmental representative to boards, commissions, and external partners.
• Coordinate activities with City departments and external service providers.
• Oversee capital development programs and infrastructure modernization initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic planning

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Public Administration/Aviation Management/Engineering

Master’s degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience

Job description

About This Position

About This Position About Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is owned by the City of Austin and operated by the Department of Aviation. The Airport is self-sustaining and generates revenue to cover operating costs. What was once the site for the Bergstrom Air Force Base, the federally owned property was transformed into a commercial airport with the opening of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on May 23, 1999, replacing the former, smaller Austin Robert Mueller Municipal airport. Since then, AUS has connected more Austin and Central Texas travelers to the world all while providing a uniquely authentic Austin experience to every customer that travels through the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Known for live music, local concession brands, and Texas hospitality, AUS prides itself on reflecting the culture and values of the community it serves. In 2023, AUS served a record-breaking 22 million annual passengers, representing a quarter increase in total annual travelers since the world’s pre-pandemic benchmark year of 2019. To address the rapid pace of passenger and airline activity, AUS has launched the Journey With AUS airport expansion and development program, multi-year capital improvement and development effort that will improve and modernize AUS facilities in the near-term and for generations to come.

Job Description

Airport Deputy Chief Officer of Development Purpose:

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

• Supports the Airport Chief Officer in leading and managing programs, functions, and initiatives to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develops and implements short- and long-range strategies, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, Local, and industry regulations.
• Assists in the preparation, presentation, and monitoring of the department budget and ensures divisions operate within appropriated budget.
• Develops, revises, and implements standard operating practices, policies, and procedures governing the programs and department activities.
• Acts as official departmental representative to boards and commissions, City departments, City Council, outside agencies, and the community.
• Coordinates departmental activities and programs with other City departments, agencies, and service providers.
• Responds to and resolves sensitive inquiries, complaints, and issues from both internal and external sources.
• Determines goals, objectives, and resource requirements for activities within the assigned divisions.
• Monitors industry trends and implements best practices.
• Assumes Airport Chief Officer duties and responsibilities in their absence.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and ordinances affecting the airport.
• Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
• Skill in fiscal planning and developing and preparing budgets.
• Skill in managing and allocating financial and human resources to execute operational and business plans.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, City Council, media, and the public.
• Skill in leading and managing a diverse workforce including department employees and contractors in an airport environment.
• Ability to design short- and long-term strategies/programs that are scalable and efficient in a large and complex organization.
• Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple City departments and internal business units to meet goals and objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, develop and deliver public presentations, and act as the corporate spokesperson when incidents involving operations occur.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Public Administration, Business or Aviation Management, Accounting/Finance, Engineering, or a related field, plus six (6) years of related experience, including two (2) years of which were in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in the development and execution of complex multi-million-dollar airport capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of capital planning, regulatory compliance, FAA grants and financial stewardship.
• Extensive experience managing the design and construction of large-scale airport projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, build strategic partnerships, and communicate effectively with executive stakeholders.
• Strong ability to represent the organization with governing bodies, regulatory agencies, business partners, and community stakeholders.

Salary Range: Salary is commensurate based on experience and the approved salary range.

Location: AUS Administrative Building, 3201-A Presidential Blvd. Austin, TX 78719

Days and Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday – Friday. *Hours may vary depending upon business needs.

This position is on-site.

What to Expect in the Role

Reporting to the Airport Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Airport Deputy Chief Officer of Development provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight of the airport’s large-scale capital development and infrastructure modernization initiatives. This position is responsible for leading complex airport development programs, establishing capital investment priorities, and ensuring the successful design and delivery of major infrastructure projects while maintaining fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and alignment with the airport’s long-term strategic objectives.

The Ideal Candidate

The following core competencies are important for this role:

• Exceptional Leadership – A collaborative executive who builds strong relationships with stakeholders, business partners, City departments, and regulatory agencies, while motivating teams toward common goals.
• Operational and Technical Acumen – Deep understanding of airport systems, infrastructure, and technology operations, with the ability to ensure safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Thinks Analytically and Strategically – A visionary leader who can assess complex operational needs, anticipate future challenges, and develop strategies that align with AUS’s long-term objectives.
• Agility – Demonstrates resilience and adaptability in guiding teams through organizational change, capital expansion, and emerging technology integration.
• Customer Focus – Committed to delivering a superior passenger experience while balancing the expectations of airport stakeholders and business partners.
• Inclusive Workspace – Fosters inclusive, welcoming, and safe workspaces aligned with AUS’s values and the community it serves.
• Business Ethics – Recognized for integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making in leading large-scale operations.
• Boundary-less Perspective – Brings a broad, systems-level perspective to complex challenges, connecting cross-departmental strategies and anticipating future trends in aviation.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more.

Financial Disclosure Requirement: This position is subject to the City of Austin’s financial disclosure requirements. Under City Code Chapter 2-7, Article 5, individuals serving in designated positions are required to file public statements of financial information with the City Clerk.

EEO Statement for City of Austin

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.