Manager, Aviation Security Programs, Office of the Chief Security Officer

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work up to 1 day per week

Job summary

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey seeks a Manager of Aviation Security Programs to oversee the Central Office Security Operations Department’s Aviation Security unit at the World Trade Center. You will guide staff on security initiatives, risk-based programs, and policy implementation across PA airports.

Responsibilities include updating SOPs, managing SIDA credentialing, preparing board documents, and coordinating with TSA, PAPD, tenants, and agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation security, public safety, homeland security, or related field.
• 7+ years managerial experience in security or related programs.
• Ability to obtain TSA secret clearance.
• Willing to report to multiple PA facilities.
• Experience with aviation security regulations (49 CFR 1540, 1542, 1544).
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Central Office Aviation Security unit and oversee the Aviation Security portfolio of initiatives including operating, capital, and policy.
• Lead continuous improvement, contract administration, budgets, and schedules for aviation security programs.
• Develop, update and enhance aviation security standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and PA standards.
• Oversee SIDA credentialing program at PA airports and prepare routine executive presentations.
• Prepare and advance authorization documents to the Board.
• Coordinate with stakeholders on security projects, contracts, and initiatives and interface with service providers, tenants and agencies.
• Adjudicate SIDA appeals with guidance from the Assistant Director and staff on CHRCs for badge applicants.
• Manage a diverse workforce, supervise operations, and advance PA initiatives like safety, customer service and sustainability.
• Review TSA/FAA regulations to align projects and avoid conflicts while leveraging assets.
• Maintain aviation security business plan aligned with agency risk assessments and findings.
• Stay informed on aviation industry and PA airport conditions and impacts of security initiatives.
• Assist the Assistant Director with day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
• Review ASPs to standardize across PA facilities and address evolving regulations.
• Ensure EAAs and ATSPs reflect current tenant facilities.
• Develop relationships with TSA, federal agencies, PAPD, airport community and PA departments for security planning and meetings.
• Occasionally remain available outside regular hours including weekends and holidays.

Skills

Strategic planning

Staff management

Policy development

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Interagency collaboration

Contract management

Leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation security or related field

Job description

About the Role

NOTE: The selected candidate will be required to pass a PAPD background check.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director, Aviation Security, in the Office of the Chief Security Officer, the Manager of Aviation Security Programs will manage the Central Office Security Operations Department (SOD) Aviation Security unit at the World Trade Center and provide oversight of all programs, activities and functions carried out by the Unit. This position provides programmatic guidance and leadership to central and facility Aviation Security staff in strategic planning, analysis, review, implementation, management and operation of risk-based programs that will strengthen the security posture and improve the risk profile of Port Authority (PA) airports. In the absence of the Assistant Director, Aviation Security, the Manager of Aviation Security Programs will assume oversight and management of the Aviation Security Unit.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Central Office Aviation Security unit and provide oversight of the Aviation Security portfolio of initiatives (operating, capital, and policy), providing guidance and direction to staff on the development and implementation of new initiatives as well as the maintenance and augmentation of existing initiatives
• Implement continuous improvements initiatives based on experiences, lessons learned, and the changing threat environment and provide oversight for contract administration, budgets and schedules
• Review, develop, update and enhance Aviation Security standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable aviation security regulations, PA standards and requirements.
• Oversee the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) credentialing program at all PA airports, including the preparation of routine executive presentations
• Preparation and advancement of authorization documents to the Board
• Act as stakeholder liaison for the portfolio of Aviation Security projects, contracts, and initiatives to ensure departmental priorities and other concerns are appropriately addressed by all participants supporting or otherwise interfacing with security service providers, maintenance providers, design teams, PA management staff, airport tenants, as well as city, state and federal agencies.
• Adjudicate SIDA appeals regarding unescorted access denials and revocations in consultation with the Assistant Director, Aviation Security and provide guidance to Credentialing staff regarding Criminal History Records Checks of SIDA Badge applicants
• Manage a workforce with diverse responsibilities and skills, including performance assessments and evaluations, developing staff, overseeing day-to-day operations effectively and efficiently, and advancing PA initiatives such as safety and security, customer service, sustainability, operational excellence, and the enhancement of the security posture of PA aviation facilities
• Review Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration regulations, guidance documents, standards, directives, and other documents to avoid conflicts while identifying opportunities to leverage existing assets/projects to help advance the business of the department
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the aviation security business plan, and verify that the plan addresses the findings of the latest agency-wide security risk assessment and utilizes that information to ensure threats and vulnerabilities are mitigated and addressed
• Maintain informed of the state of the aviation industry and PA airports, and anticipate/determine how different security initiatives included in the aviation security business plan may be or have an impact on existing conditions
• Assist the Assistant Director in accomplishing the department’s day-to-day tasks and responsibilities
• Review the Airport Security Program (ASP) and identify opportunities, where feasible, to make the ASPs uniform across all PA facilities. Ensure ASPs address evolving regulations
• Ensure Exclusive Area Agreements (EAAs) and Airport Tenant Security Programs (ATSPs) are up-to-date and reflect existing conditions at tenant facilities
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the TSA, other federal agencies, PAPD, the airport community and other PA departments for efficient and effective security planning and implementation. Lead PA security meetings with stakeholders to further the security mission
• As circumstances require the incumbent may be required to remain available outside regular working hours, including weekends and public holidays.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in aviation security, public safety, homeland security, security management, aviation management or other relevant degree.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible managerial experience, including managing staff, broad-scale policy development, program management, and implementation.
• Must be able to obtain TSA secret security clearance after hiring.
• Must be able to report to all airports and other PA facilities.
• Demonstrated training, knowledge, or professional experience in aviation security, airport security, transportation security, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of and/or familiarity with Transportation Security Administration Security Regulations 49 CFR 1540, 1542, and 1544
• Strong, proven, oral and written communication and presentations skills.
• Superior interpersonal, communication and presentation skills including demonstrated experience interacting effectively with all levels of staff, both within and outside the agency.
• Demonstrated problem solving, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrate experience with effective guidance and management of staff
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in contract administration and monitoring of contractor performance.
• Experience with physical security systems and technologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to establish plans, set priorities, coordinate activities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, and manage resources to achieve project goals in a high-pressure environment with multiple tasks due in a tight timeframe.
• Professional certification in security, emergency management, risk management, or related discipline.

Selection Process

The application process varies by position but typically includes an initial phone interview for qualified candidates, followed by a more in-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s). Selected candidates who are made a conditional job offer will be asked to undergo a background check.

Compensation & Benefits

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers a competitive benefits package and a professional environment that supports development and recognizes achievement.

Skills

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey anticipates that the actual salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on aspects such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal factors. The expected compensation range for this role is:

• Minimum: $132,964 Midpoint: $172,867 Maximum: $212,758

In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week. In person collaboration is essential to how the Port Authority conducts business, and regular in-office days or team collaboration days may be required on business needs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

About The Port Authority

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than twenty three billion in annual wages and eighty billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

It is the Port Authority’s policy, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment and who request the Port Authority do so, unless providing the requested accommodation would result in an undue hardship to the Port Authority.

Job applicants may request a reasonable accommodation (1) if they claim a disability is affecting the interview process, or (2) to ensure that if they are selected for a position, they can perform the essential job functions. To submit a request, please contact the recruiter or email the Human Resources Department’s Disability Accommodation Coordinator at [email protected]

The Port Authority will treat any request for Reasonable Accommodation by a job applicant confidentially.