Economic Development Director

Next City; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 128,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health and wellness plan

Job summary

InfraAir in the Northern Rockies region seeks a senior Director of Economic Development to lead the public-sector strategy for Mountain West airport projects and related infrastructure. You will drive collaborations with sponsors, state agencies, counties and municipalities to move initiatives through planning, approvals and long-range partnerships.

The role requires navigating land use, regulatory processes and funding pathways while aligning investments with community priorities such as

Qualifications

• 10+ years with direct experience in airport development, airport planning or administration, general aviation, FBO/aviation real estate, state aviation or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating airport projects with public agencies, airport sponsors and regulatory stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of airport planning, land use and federal, state and local approval processes.
• Mountain West experience and relationships strongly preferred; regular regional travel required.

Responsibilities

• Direct the public-sector strategy and relationships across InfraAir’s Mountain West airport portfolio.
• Coordinate with airport sponsors and boards, state aviation agencies, counties, municipalities and regulatory stakeholders.
• Advance projects through airport planning, land use, permitting, agreements, public approvals and opening.
• Align airport investment with local priorities, including economic development, workforce housing, energy and resilience, and emergency aviation infrastructure.
• Assess stakeholder and regulatory considerations for new sites and investments; represent InfraAir in agency discussions, public meetings and negotiations.
• Coordinate aviation planners, consultants and counsel, and work with the project team on relevant public funding and economic-development pathways.

Job description

InfraAir is seeking a senior economic development leader to lead our public-sector strategy and partnerships across the U.S. Mountain West.

InfraAir is an aviation real estate investment and development platform focused on building and operating aviation campuses and related infrastructure in high-growth markets. Our projects extend beyond the airport itself, often integrating workforce housing, energy and resilience infrastructure, emergency services support and other community priorities alongside private aviation development.

THE ROLE

The Director, Economic Development is InfraAir’s senior public-sector lead for Mountain West projects. The role sits at the intersection of general aviation, airport planning, economic development, and job creation, advancing projects through coordinated strategy, approvals and long-term public partnerships.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the public-sector strategy and relationships across InfraAir’s Mountain West airport portfolio.


• Coordinate with airport sponsors and boards, state aviation agencies, counties, municipalities and regulatory stakeholders.


• Advance projects through airport planning, land use, permitting, agreements, public approvals and opening.


• Align airport investment with local priorities, including economic development, workforce housing, energy and resilience, and emergency aviation infrastructure.


• Assess stakeholder and regulatory considerations for new sites and investments; represent InfraAir in agency discussions, public meetings and negotiations.


• Coordinate aviation planners, consultants and counsel, and work with the project team on relevant public funding and economic-development pathways.

EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years with direct experience in airport development, airport planning or administration, general aviation, FBO/aviation real estate, state aviation or a closely related field.


• Demonstrated experience coordinating airport projects with public agencies, airport sponsors and regulatory stakeholders.


• Working knowledge of airport planning, land use and federal, state and local approval processes.


• Mountain West experience and relationships strongly preferred; regular regional travel required.

COMPENSATION & LOCATION

Base salary: $150,000

Incentive compensation: Milestone bonuses and executive stock options.

Benefits: Comprehensive health and wellness plan

Target start date: October 1, 2026

Location: Northern Rockies; Montana highly preferred. Local candidates will be prioritized over relocation.