Deputy Director – Airport Operations

City of Dallas; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dallas is seeking a Deputy Director for Airport Operations to provide executive leadership across the Dallas Airport System, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence. The role serves as a key advisor to the CEO and City Council, overseeing public safety, emergency readiness, and security functions while coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies.

Responsibilities include directing airport operations, cultivating partnerships with stakeholders, and guiding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressive experience at airports, airlines, or comparable organization.
• Five (5) years of senior-level management with oversight of multiple teams.
• Knowledge of strategic business planning and performance measurement.

Responsibilities

• Sets direction and achieves desired results for reliable airport operations, cost management, safety, security, and maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensures the reliability of the airports and effective and efficient operation.
• Cultivates partnerships with airport business partners and stakeholders to improve the efficiency of service delivery.
• Represents the department's interests in policy, aviation, and technical issues with governmental/ regulatory agencies, boards, councils, commissions, and oversight bodies.
• Advises executive staff on matters pertaining to operational activities and ensures all functions are operating together effectively to achieve the strategic initiatives and goals.
• Monitors industry trends and implements best practices.

Job description

The City of Dallas is seeking a Deputy Director – Airport Operations to provide executive leadership for the operations, safety, security, and emergency readiness across the Dallas Airport System. Reporting directly to the CEO/Airport Director, this role ensures regulatory compliance and operational excellence while serving as a key advisor on critical strategies to the City Council and senior leadership. The Deputy Director oversees all public safety, emergency management, and security functions while serving as a liaison to federal, state, and local agencies.

This position leads high-impact functions including emergency response coordination, compliance with federal aviation and security standards, and implementation of safety protocols across all airport operations. The Deputy Director serves as the primary point of contact for the TSA, CBP, Dallas Police, and Dallas Fire Rescue, and takes command during terminal or landside emergencies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Sets direction and achieves desired results for reliable airport operations, cost management, safety, security, and maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensures the reliability of the airports and effective and efficient operation.
• Cultivates partnerships with airport business partners and stakeholders to improve the efficiency of service delivery.
• Represents the department's interests in policy, aviation, and technical issues with governmental/ regulatory agencies, boards, councils, commissions, and oversight bodies.
• Advises executive staff on matters pertaining to operational activities and ensures all functions are operating together effectively to achieve the strategic initiatives and goals.
• Monitors industry trends and implements best practices.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a related field.
• At least ten (10) years of progressive experience at airports, airlines, or comparable organization.
• Five (5) years of senior-level management with oversight of multiple teams.
• Knowledge of strategic business planning and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.

Salary & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. The City of Dallas offers an attractive benefits package and will assist with relocation costs.