Chief Airport Operations & Strategy Leader

NWA Daily LLC; Arkansas; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

Job summary

Northwest Arkansas National Airport is seeking an experienced leader to oversee the Airport Operations Department, directing airfield, terminal, and landside activities to ensure safe, secure, and customer-focused service.

You will manage daily operations, regulatory compliance with 14 CFR Part 139 and related requirements, and coordinate with Maintenance, Public Safety, and vendors to support reliable operations and growth. This role requires strong leadership and budgeting skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, airport management, public administration, business administration, emergency management, or related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible airport operations experience at a commercial-service airport.
• Three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with Part 139 compliance, emergency management, irregular operations, budgeting, and interdepartmental coordination.

Responsibilities

• Leads, develops, and evaluates Airport Operations personnel; establishes clear performance expectations, accountability, training standards, and succession plans.
• Develops departmental goals, work plans, staffing models, policies, procedures, and performance measures aligned with Airport priorities and service expectations.
• Prepares and administers the Operations Department budget; develops operating and capital needs; monitors expenditures; and supports procurement and contract administration for assigned services.
• Ensures adequate 24/7 operational coverage, including nights, weekends, holidays, severe weather, emergencies, and irregular operations.
• Serves as a senior representative of airport management and acts on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer when assigned.
• Directs daily airfield, terminal, and landside operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused service.
• Oversees airfield inspections, discrepancy identification, corrective-action coordination, NOTAM management, pavement condition reporting, wildlife observations, construction safety monitoring, and other operational functions required by the Airport Certification Manual.
• Leads gate, apron, and common-use resource coordination and supports efficient use of airport facilities during normal and irregular operations.
• Coordinates terminal operations, passenger flow, curbside and roadway conditions, ground transportation activity, and operational issues affecting airlines, tenants, passengers, and the public.
• Maintains effective working relationships with airline station management, FAA, TSA, air traffic control, tenants, concessionaires, contractors, and other airport users.
• Establishes and monitors operational key performance indicators, service levels, trends, and corrective actions related to safety, compliance, reliability, efficiency, and customer service.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Emergency management

Interdepartmental coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation management

Job description

Northwest Arkansas National Airport is seeking an experienced leader to oversee the Airport Operations Department, directing airfield, terminal, and landside activities to ensure safe, secure, and customer-focused service.

You will manage daily operations, regulatory compliance with 14 CFR Part 139 and related requirements, and coordinate with Maintenance, Public Safety, and vendors to support reliable operations and growth. This role requires strong leadership and budgeting skills.