Manager, Airport Planning

County-of-SAN-Dieg; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14 paid holidays

Vacation/PTO 18–33 days

Parental and child care benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan options

Job summary

The San Diego International Airport Planning, Noise, and Environment department is seeking a Manager, Airport Planning to lead a team of planning professionals and guide SAN's future growth through master planning, land use compatibility, capacity management, and environmental review.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven leader who values collaboration, thoughtful decision-making, and the ability to translate complex planning issues for diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Eight years of progressively responsible planning experience in a public agency, airport, or consulting environment.
• At least three years of supervisory or program management experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Urban, Regional or Transportation Planning, Aviation Management, or a closely related field.
• Preferred licenses/certifications: AICP, PTP, AAAE, C.M., LEED AP, PMP.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop planning professionals; set priorities and manage performance.
• Lead master planning, land use compatibility, regional air transportation planning, and long-range infrastructure planning.
• Advance planning for airport capacity, congestion management, demand forecasting, and aircraft/terminal utilization.
• Interpret and apply NEPA, CEQA, and California Coastal Act requirements while considering regulatory/political factors.
• Translate complex planning issues for internal teams, leadership, agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
• Oversee consultants, studies, budgets, schedules, contracts, and funding opportunities to deliver planning priorities.

Skills

Leadership

People Development

Communication

Influence

Critical Thinking

Evaluation

Judgment

Decision-Making

Collaboration

Planning

Agility

Education

Urban/Regional/Transportation Planning (degree)

Job description

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location: The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline.
• Hybrid Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department.
• Salary: The hiring salary for Manager, Airport Planning is starting at $136,312-$156,759. The full pay range for Manager, Airport Planning is $100,971-$171,652.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes well‑being part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, score fitness discounts for every level and goal, give back with volunteer‑time rewards, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
• Application Deadline: August 27, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

The Planning, Noise, and Environment department is looking for a Manager, Airport Planning with a collaborative leadership approach to guide the people and planning behind SAN's future growth. This role leads a team of planning professionals while advancing complex work across airport master planning, land use compatibility, capacity and congestion management, environmental review, and long-range infrastructure planning.

The ideal candidate will be a relationship-driven leader who brings out the best in people. They will create an environment where employees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow, while setting clear expectations and keeping the team connected to shared priorities. Just as importantly, they will bring the planning experience and sound judgment to lead complex work, make thoughtful decisions, and value the expertise and perspectives of the professionals around them.

As America's busiest single-runway airport, planning at SAN comes with an interesting challenge: thinking big doesn't come with unlimited space.

That reality calls for creative thinking about growth and capacity, an ability to make complex planning issues understandable, and strong relationships that move important work forward. When space is limited, every planning decision matters—and so does developing the people behind them. For a leader energized by complex planning challenges and the opportunity to make a visible impact, this is a chance to shape SAN's future, and an airport experienced every day by millions of travelers across the world.

What You'll Do:

• Lead & Develop the Team: Coach, mentor, and develop planning professionals while setting priorities, managing performance, allocating resources, and building a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Shape Airport Planning: Lead master planning, land use compatibility, regional air transportation planning, and long-range infrastructure efforts that guide SAN's future growth.
• Plan for Capacity & Congestion: Advance planning for airport capacity, congestion management, operational efficiency, demand forecasting, and airfield and terminal utilization within SAN's unique constraints.
• Navigate Complex Requirements: Interpret and apply federal, state, and local planning and environmental requirements, including NEPA, CEQA, and California Coastal Act requirements, while evaluating regulatory and political considerations.
• Build Alignment & Partnerships: Translate complex planning issues for internal teams, leadership, outside agencies, stakeholders, and the public while navigating sensitive issues and building relationships that move work forward.
• Drive Projects & Resources: Oversee consultants, studies, capital and facilities planning efforts, budgets, schedules, grants, contracts, and funding opportunities to deliver planning priorities successfully.

The Skills You Need:

1. Leadership & People Development — Builds trust, adapts leadership approaches, sets clear expectations, coaches and develops employees, recognizes strengths, and empowers others to perform and grow.
2. Communication & Influence — Translates complex information for technical and nontechnical audiences; communicates tactfully and persuasively and facilitates productive conversations across diverse stakeholders.
3. Critical Thinking & Evaluation — Analyzes complex information, data, programs, and competing considerations to identify alternatives and recommend solutions aligned with organizational objectives.
4. Judgment & Decision-Making — Applies sound judgment to complex and sensitive situations; weighs risks, stakeholder interests, and organizational priorities to make thoughtful, timely decisions.
5. Collaboration & Relationship Building — Develops trusted relationships across teams and with external partners; navigates differing perspectives with diplomacy and builds alignment around shared outcomes.
6. Planning & Agility — Establishes priorities, allocates reources effectively, coordinates cross-functional work, and adapts plans and approaches as conditions, needs, and challenges evolve.

About the Team:

The Planning, Noise, and Environment (PNE) department helps shape what comes next for SAN. With work spanning airport and regional planning, land use, noise, and environmental programs, the department brings a long-range perspective on how the airport grows, operates, and connects with the surrounding region. PNE works across disciplines and alongside teams throughout the Airport Authority, serving as thoughtful stewards of the different perspectives, priorities, and interests that shape complex initiatives.

Within PNE, the Airport Planning team is a group of approximately five professionals focused on how SAN can make the most of its space and plan thoughtfully for the future. The team leads work in airport master planning, land‑use compatibility, capacity and congestion management, demand forecasting, and long‑range infrastructure planning, partnering with teams across the Airport Authority, consultants, external agencies, and regional stakeholders.

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Eight years of progressively responsible planning experience in a public agency, airport, or consulting environment, including work in areas such as airport planning, land use compatibility, environmental planning, transportation planning, or capital development
• At least three of those years of experience in a supervisory or program management capacity;
• Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a major in Urban, Regional or Transportation Planning, Aviation Management, or a closely related field.

Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Designation as an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Professional Transportation Planner (PTP), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) or Certified Member (C.M.), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Project Management Professional (PMP).

**Don't meet every requirement? That's okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don't—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence.**

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.