Senior Airport Manager

KDG Construction Consulting; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

KDG Construction Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Airport Manager to oversee the safe and efficient operation of the Oceanside airport. You will manage airside, landside, maintenance, budgeting, emergency response, and regulatory compliance while coordinating with tenants, pilots, vendors, and regulators.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, and regulatory knowledge, with responsibility for staff supervision and long-term airport development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or related field
• Five+ years of progressively responsible experience in airport operations or related field
• Two+ years of supervisory/lead/project-management experience
• Knowledge of airport operations, maintenance, emergency response, tenant/subtenant relations, and regulatory compliance practices
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to maintain airport driving privileges
• Ability to pass background checks, security clearance requirements, drug screening, or other employment eligibility requirements applicable to the airport environment

Responsibilities

• Manage daily airport operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and reliable service for aircraft operators, tenants, employees, and visitors.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with the City of Oceanside and its representatives to coordinate services and community relations.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, state, local, and airport-specific regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee airfield inspections, fueling operations, safety programs, maintenance activities, and security procedures.
• Coordinate with tenants, pilots, vendors, law enforcement, fire and emergency services, and regulators.
• Lead, supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate airport operations, maintenance, and support staff.
• Develop, update, and implement operating procedures, fueling procedures, emergency plans, and continuity of operations.
• Monitor and manage budget, subleases, permits, contracts, and financial reporting as required by leadership.
• Support and oversee construction projects and long-term airport development initiatives.
• Respond to incidents, emergencies, weather events, and service disruptions.
• Prepare reports, briefings, and presentations for executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Promote safety, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement across operations

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Emergency response

Budgeting

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or related field

Job description

KDG Construction Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Airport Manager who is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the airport. This position oversees day-to-day airside, landside, maintenance, subtenant coordination, budgeting, emergency response, and regulatory compliance activities. The Senior Airport Manager serves as a key representative of the airport with subtenants, pilots, vendors, regulatory agencies, emergency responders, state/regional/local government representatives, and the general public.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily airport operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and reliable service for aircraft operators and pilots, tenants, employees, and visitors to the airport.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with the City of Oceanside and its designated representatives in the coordination of airport services, airfield projects, and community relations in furtherance of positioning the airport as a vital City-owned asset.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration, state, local, and airport-specific regulations, policies, and operating procedures.
• Oversee airfield inspections, fueling operations, safety programs, maintenance activities, security procedures, construction coordination, and operational readiness of airport facilities and equipment.
• Coordinate with tenants, pilots, third party vendors, law enforcement, fire and emergency services, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Lead, supervise, train, schedule, and evaluate airport operations, maintenance, administrative, and support staff as assigned.
• Develop, update, and implement airport operating procedures, fueling procedures, emergency plans, safety practices, security protocols, and a continuity of airport operations plan.
• Monitor and manage (in coordination with KDG Aviation corporate staff) airport budget, subleases/permits/tie-down agreements, airport contracts, revenue opportunities, cost controls, and financial reporting as may be required by corporate leadership.
• Support and oversee KDG-led construction projects, facility upgrades, pavement management, and coordinate in conjunction with KDG Aviation leadership on long-term airport development initiatives.
• Respond to operational incidents, emergencies, weather events, irregular operations, community concerns, subtenant issues, and service disruptions.
• Prepare reports, briefings, correspondence, performance metrics, staff recommendations, and presentations for executive leadership, governing bodies, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and professional conduct across all airport operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, airport management, public administration, business administration, transportation, engineering, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in airport operations, airport maintenance, aviation administration, transportation operations, or a closely related field.
• Two or more years of supervisory, lead, project management, or management experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of airport operations, maintenance, emergency response, tenant/subtenant relations, and regulatory compliance practices.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to maintain airport driving privileges, as may be required.
• Ability to pass background checks, security clearance requirements, drug screening, or other employment eligibility requirements applicable to the airport environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership, judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in a potentially fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply aviation regulations, airport policies, contracts, subleases, safety standards, and emergency procedures.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to brief leadership, coordinate across agencies, resolve conflicts, and communicate clearly during incidents.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, deadlines, and operational demands.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to maintain productive relationships with the City of Oceanside, airport users, pilots, subtenants, employees, contractors, and the public.
• Working knowledge of budgeting, purchasing, reporting, staff supervision, performance management, and operational performance measurement.
• Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and sound judgment during emergencies, irregular operations, and high-pressure situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at one or more of the following: commercial service, reliever, military, cargo, or general aviation airport.
• Knowledge of FAA airport certification requirements, airport emergency plans, wildlife hazard management, safety management systems, and familiarity of airport grant programs.
• Professional certification or progress toward certification such as AAAE Certified Member (CM), Accredited Airport Executive (AAE), or other aviation-related credential.
• Experience managing construction coordination, airport maintenance programs, tenant/subtenant leases, and operating budgets.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed across all airport geographic environments, including office, airfield, maintenance, construction, other outdoor environments, and from time to time in off-airport settings.
• May require walking, standing, driving, inspecting facilities, responding to incidents, and working near aircraft, vehicles, equipment, noise, weather, and active operational areas.
• May require availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, emergencies, on-call response, irregular operations, and weather-related events.
• Must follow all airport safety, security, driving, and access-control requirements.

Compensation

• Hourly rate: $30-$45

About KDG

KDG Construction Consulting is a leading provider of program, project, and construction management services. The firm serves clients in a broad range of markets throughout Southern California, including aviation, transportation, and infrastructure. KDG provides a full spectrum of management and technical services spanning the entire life cycle of a construction project.

Employment with KDG: KDG is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.