Aviation Management Director (0941)- SFO - 166287

City and County of San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 201,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

San Francisco International Airport is seeking an Aviation Management Director to lead airline and space-tenant programs, setting strategy, policy, and operational direction for terminal, gate, and facility space.

This role partners with airlines, commercial tenants, regulators, and internal divisions to balance capacity, revenue, service quality, and operational reliability in a complex, high-demand environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Four (4) years of managerial experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Master’s degree may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight to enforce lease requirements and Airport Rules.
• Directs complex lease negotiations and landlord relations to meet objectives.
• Develops tenant space programs coordinating design, leasing, and operations.
• Oversees the Airport Space Request System and space allocation processes.
• Leads aviation and land use business development opportunities to maximize revenue.
• Negotiates property acquisitions for aviation use with City stakeholders.
• Develops and administers right-of-way agreements and related property terms.
• Advises executive management on terms, agreements, and policies.
• Oversees parking operations and other revenue-generating initiatives.
• Coaches and manages performance of direct reports.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Negotiation

Lease management

Tenant relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Aviation Management Director (0941)- SFO - 166287

Department: San Francisco International Airport
Job class: 0941-Manager VI
Starting salary range: $200,538.00 - $255,996.00 (Range A)
Role type: Permanent Civil Service What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time
Exam type: Position Based Test
Rule:Rule of the List
List type:Combined Promotive and Entrance

About:

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Amended on 09/17 to extend the posting announcement date to 09/24.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below.

• Application Deadline: Application filing will be open at least until Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) and will close any time thereafter.


• Compensation: $200,538 to$ 255,996 annually (Range A)

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the most dynamic and consequential airports in the world, serving as the primary international gateway to Northern California and Silicon Valley. As an enterprise department of the City and County of San Francisco, SFO welcomes over 54 million guests annually and offers nonstop service to more than 140 destinations worldwide on 50+ airlines.

SFO is far more than a transportation hub. It is a recognized leader in environmental sustainability, equity, arts and culture, and forward-thinking infrastructure. With approximately 1,900 City employees and a broader community of more than 25,000 workers across airlines, concessionaires, and partners, SFO generates significant economic vitality across the Bay Area region.

Our mission is to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first. Our core values of Safety and Security, Teamwork, Excellence, Care, and Equity guide everything we do as we build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace where all employees can thrive.

SFO is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Applicants are considered regardless of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under applicable law.

Under direction of the Chief Commercial Officer, the 0941 Aviation Management Director leads SFO-wide airline and space-tenant programs, setting strategy, policy, and operational direction for how terminal, gate, and facility space is allocated, managed, and optimized across the airport. This role partners closely with airlines, commercial tenants, regulators, and internal divisions to balance capacity, revenue, service quality, and operational reliability in a complex, high demand environment. The position is central to advancing SFO’s long-term vision by ensuring airport space supports airline growth, passenger experience, and the Airport’s financial and operational sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic leadership and managerial oversight for enforcement of tenant compliance with lease requirements, Airport Rules and Regulations, and applicable policies and procedures; establishes compliance priorities and directs resolution of complex or high-impact tenant matters.


• Directs and oversees complex lease negotiations, landlord relations, and property management activities involving Airport properties and commercial tenants; establishes business terms and negotiation strategies consistent with Airport operational, financial, and long-term strategic objectives.


• Provides managerial direction and oversight for the development and implementation of tenant space programs, coordinating facility design, leasing requirements, operational needs, and stakeholder priorities to ensure effective utilization of Airport facilities and alignment with long-range Airport plans.


• Provides strategic and operational oversight of the Airport Space Request System, establishing priorities, business processes, and decision-making protocols governing the allocation and utilization of Airport space and ensuring alignment with operational and business requirements.


• Provides leadership and strategic direction for aviation and land use business development opportunities, evaluating complex business proposals, establishing priorities, and directing initiatives that optimize Airport assets, support aviation operations, and generate long-term revenue and economic value.


• Leads and oversees negotiations, in coordination with the Department of Real Estate and other City stakeholders, for the acquisition of property required for aviation use, evaluating business, operational, financial, and strategic considerations and recommending courses of action with significant implications for Airport development and long-term asset planning.


• Directs the development and administration of right-of-way agreements, permits, and related property agreements for Airport properties and facilities; establishes strategies and priorities for implementing aviation programs and resolving complex property, operational, and stakeholder issues.


• Provides senior-level policy guidance and recommendations regarding business terms, commercial agreements, property utilization, and Airport development opportunities, advising executive management on complex issues and recommending policies, strategies, and courses of action that affect Airport operations and revenue generation.


• Provides strategic oversight of aviation business development, revenue-generating initiatives, and public and employee parking operations, establishing priorities and operational strategies to maximize Airport resources, revenue opportunities, service delivery, and long-term business objectives.


• Leads, develops, coaches, and manages performance of direct reports, including setting expectations, providing feedback, conducting reviews, and addressing performance issues.


• Manages and provides direction for policies, procedures, compliance, and governance related to the use and allocation of space, including monitoring adherence to established requirements and addressing issues or exceptions as appropriate.


• Performs other functions outlined in the 0941 Manager VI job classification.

How to qualify

1.Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. AND

2.Experience: Four (4) years of managerial experience, in a supervisory capacity, which includes: four (4) years of infrastructure management experience within a large organization.

Substitution: Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Education Substitution: Qualifying experience as described above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis for up to two (2) years.

One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may