Deputy Director - Airfield Operations

Metroairport; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne County Airport Authority seeks a Deputy Director of Airfield Operations to plan, organize, and direct the Airfield Operations Department at DTW and YIP. You will provide leadership, manage staff, and ensure safe, compliant operations in coordination with FAA and other agencies.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Aviation Management with 6+ years of aviation leadership experience and 4+ years in supervision, plus a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management or related field required.
• Six or more years of aviation management or transportation experience.
• Minimum four years of supervisory/management experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct daily and ongoing activities of the Airfield Operations Department at DTW and YIP.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise to managers, staff, and other departments to ensure safe, compliant airfield operations.
• Oversee construction projects, airport emergency response, FAA inspections, and security policy compliance.
• Maintain accurate records and reports; prepare internal documents, policies, and correspondence.
• Assist with budgeting, goals, and staffing decisions; participate in performance appraisals and employee development.
• Direct analytical studies related to Airfield Operations and monitor regulatory developments.

Skills

Leadership / Supervisory

Staff Planning

Regulatory Compliance awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management

Six (6) or more years of related experience in Aviation Management or Aviation Transportation

Four (4) or more years of supervisory/management experience

Job description

Deputy Director - Airfield Operations

A Brief Overview

The Deputy Director of Airfield Operations is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the daily and ongoing activities of the Airfield Operations Department at DTW and YIP airports. The Deputy Director provides leadership, managerial oversight, and technical expertise to subordinate managers, Airfield Operations staff, and other Airport Authority departments, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant airfield operations in accordance with regulatory requirements and organizational objectives.

What you will do

• Supports with Planning, organizing, administering, delegating, reviewing and evaluating the work of professional, technical and office support staff, through subordinate supervisory personnel. Ensures that staff manage the daily activities of the Airfield Operations Department including but not limited to service expansion; related training; airport access and permit control; Airfield Operations control center, airfield construction projects, airport emergency response, FAA inspection, FAA security, federal and local law enforcement policy compliance, special programs and other assigned areas to ensure appropriate service and enforcement of procedures for airline customers and airport employees is occurring.
• Supports pre-construction planning, active participation during construction progress meetings, and pre and post phase change review with stakeholders. Responsible for delegation of all related tasks to department subordinates prior to, during and following all construction projects. Will serve as liaison between stakeholders such as air carrier and FAA partners to ensure all parties are up to date on any activity that impacts movement and non-movement surfaces.
• Supports snow & ice pre-event planning, active participation in ECC during and post-snow event review with stakeholders following snow events. Responsible for delegation of all related tasks to department subordinates prior to, during and following all snow events.
• Ensures that accurate records, files and reports are maintained for Airport Authority use; prepares a variety of reports, correspondence, policies and other written materials.
• Assists with implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, annual budget and work standards for the Department.
• Assists with determining department staffing needs, evaluating candidates for promotion or employment. Monitors and participates in employee discipline and termination activities.
• Directs, performs and assigns tasks for completion as part of analytical studies related to Airfield Operations.
• Monitors and evaluates technological and legislative developments that might affect the operations and activities of the Airfield Operations Department. Assists with recommendations for purchases, policies and procedures to improve the Department functions.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, majoring in Aviation Management; Aviation Safety, Occupational Safety or a related field of study, and Six (6) or more years of related experience in Aviation Management or Aviation Transportation; including Four (4) or more years of supervisory/management experience.
• Valid Driver's License and a safe, acceptable driving record.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages People: 1-5 direct employees, 11-49 indirect employees
• Is guided by precedent and clearly defined occupational policies, protocol/procedures. Work is managed, rather than supervised, and results/outcomes are assessed at agreed intervals.
• 5-8 Years: Moderate previous experience required in the same or similar previous positions. The job requires a good working knowledge of common and uncommon techniques, methods, practices, procedures, use of forms, routines, etc., of a moderate to complex nature in order to enter or begin performing the job
• Responsible for staffing decisions with concurrence; performance appraisals; departmental employee training and development; handles disciplinary problems in conjunction with HR.
• Little guidance: Finished work is reviewed for attainment of objectives and adherence to deadlines. The supervisor is available to assist in resolving problems
• Work is performed within authorized limits prescribed by the supervisor and/or an approved plan. The employee exercises independent judgment in selecting and interpreting information, reconciling deviations from standard methods and resolving problems. Job tasks are governed generally by broad instructions, objectives and policies, usually involving frequently changing conditions and problems, where the assigned tasks make it necessary to devise data, solve special problems and make reliable decisions

Special Conditions

• Must maintain the ability to qualify for a security ID badge.
• Must maintainWCAA Airfield Certification (Movement Area)

The Wayne County Airport Authority is committed to provide an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination, prejudice, and bias. As part of this commitment, the Wayne County Airport Authority will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone]