Principal, Strategy and Programs Partner

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board seeks a senior strategic leader to drive high‑value initiatives within RMCE. You will align department strategies with airport priorities, coordinate across divisions, and provide expert analysis and governance to ensure effective execution.

You will mentor project leads, develop business cases, and present findings to executives and boards. This role requires strong change management, stakeholder influence, and ability to manage multiple complex

Qualifications

• Knowledge of change management methodology and adoption sustainment.
• Strategic analysis, project portfolio management, and process improvement.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and communicate with senior executives.
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships.

Responsibilities

• Leads cross-functional strategic projects with defined timelines and deliverables.
• Evaluates programs, develops insights, and recommends growth strategies.
• Assesses business processes and facilitates structured change management.
• Delivers executive presentations and strategic briefings.
• Mentors project leaders and coordinates with multiple divisions.

Skills

Change management

Strategic analysis

Project portfolio management

Cross-functional coordination

Stakeholder influence

Executive communication

Mentoring & coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Aviation Management/Engineering/Data/Process Management

Job description

Job Overview

Under the general direction of the Vice President, Transportation Business Unit, serves as a principal strategic partner within the Revenue Management & Customer Experience Division (RMCE), leading high-value, cross-functional initiatives and ensuring alignment of department and division strategies with airport strategic priorities. Provides expert analysis, facilitates continuous improvement, and serves as a key liaison across divisions and external partners to support effective execution.

What you'll be doing:

• Serves as the RMCE liaison to internal departments, external agencies, tenants, and industry and customer groups to support alignment of strategies with airport-wide objectives.
• Leads cross-functional strategic projects ensuring coordinated execution, clear timelines, meeting defined deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
• Evaluates programs, develops insights, and recommends strategies that support growth, operational efficiency, and improved customer experience.
• Assesses business processes, identifies improvement opportunities, and facilitates structured change management to support adoption across divisions.
• Monitors global airports’ best practices, emerging technologies, market trends, and competitive strategies, translating findings into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Prepares and delivers presentations, strategic briefings, and reports for executive leadership, Board staff, and cross-divisional teams regarding initiatives, program impacts, and strategic recommendations.
• Advises cross-functional working groups and participates in enterprise committees to support airport-wide strategic goals and capital, operational, or customer experience programs.
• Provides mentorship, coaching, and guidance to future and current project leaders and staff across the organization; offers direct feedback to managers regarding employee development and project performance as appropriate.
• Coordinates with Finance, Procurement, Technology Services, and other divisions on project documentation, financial modeling inputs, business cases, and strategic planning materials supporting department and division initiatives.
• Provides input into annual budget development, including forecasting for strategic projects, emerging programs, and process improvement initiatives.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you need:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Aviation Management, Engineering, Data/Process Management, or a related field. Eight (8) plus years of progressively responsible experience in strategic analysis, project management, process improvement, stakeholder coordination, or complex cross-functional initiatives. Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for the above.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of change management methodology and ability to apply structured processes to ensure adoption and sustainability of initiatives.
• Skill and expertise in strategic analysis, project portfolio management, business process improvement, and cross-functional coordination.
• Skill in influencing stakeholders and communicating complex concepts to diverse audiences, including senior executives.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships inside and outside the organization, including with tenants, concessionaires, regulatory agencies, and industry partners.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise written and oral communications, including strategic briefings and high-impact executive presentations.
• Ability to evaluate data, identify trends, develop business cases, and recommend strategic direction.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with minimal oversight, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and strategic alignment.
• Ability to mentor employees, promote collaboration, and foster development of future and current projects leads across the organization.

Special Requirements:

Must obtain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) Airport Identification/Access Badge (badge) in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements in Chapter 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 1500 et al., and DFW Airport’s Airport Security Program within thirty (30) days and maintain qualification for a SIDA badge upon each badge renewal.

Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) security access clearance within thirty (30) days from date of employment and maintain qualification for CBP security access clearance upon each CBP security access renewal.

Desirable:

Knowledge of Airport operations, industry trends, regulatory considerations, and customer experience principles (preferred).

Effort:

Works in an office environment with periodic site visits across airport property.

Sits or stands for extended periods; uses computers and other digital tools regularly.

Performs complex analytical work requiring substantial reasoning and data interpretation.

Communicates frequently in person, in writing, by telephone, radio, or electronically with varied audiences.

About Us

We are Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport-one of the most successful airports in the world by any definition. We are recognized for our innovation, leadership, drive for excellence and talented employees. Our success is made possible because of the diverse talents of over 2,100 employees who champion our mission of providing an exceptional airport experience to our customers and connect our community to the world. We are looking for the best talent to join us and help reimagine what an airport can be. Bring your talents to DFW. Live and work with purpose. We are Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport-one of the most successful airports in the world by any definition. We're recognized for our innovation, leadership, drive for excellence, and talented employees. Our success is made possible through the diverse talents of nearly 2,000 employees who champion our mission of providing an exceptional airport experience to our customers and connecting our community to the world. We're looking for the best talent to join us and help reimagine what an airport can be. Bring your talents to DFW. Live and work with purpose.