Senior Vice President, Airport Operations

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 228,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Pension and retirement plans

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is seeking a Senior Vice President, Airport Operations to plan, direct, and manage operations across Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

You will provide strategic leadership to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused operations while aligning with the Airports Authority's mission and defined objectives.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in airport operations or a similarly complex operational environment.
• Experience directing multiple operational divisions through senior managers.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and standards governing airport operations.

Responsibilities

• Directs airport operations across DCA and IAD to ensure safe, secure, efficient, customer-focused operations.
• Provides executive leadership to Airport Managers and Operational Support for strategic priorities and performance standards.
• Oversees regulatory compliance with FAA, TSA, DHS, OSHA and environmental requirements and airport policies.
• Develops enterprise operational strategies, performance measures, and improvement initiatives.
• Manages operational budgets, workforce planning, and capital/operational investments.

Skills

Leadership

Airports operations

Strategic planning

Regulatory knowledge

Emergency management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Master's Degree in Aviation Management

Job description

Compensation Grade: Senior Vice President

Salary Range: $228,257.00-$359,810.00

Opening Date: October 26, 2026

Closing Date: November 14, 2026

Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

Job Summary

As the Senior Vice President (SVP), Airport Operations you will plan, direct, and manage airport operations across Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Operational support through executive oversight. Provides strategic leadership to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused airport operations while supporting the Airports Authority's mission, strategic business plan, and operational objectives.

The SVP of Airport Operations will oversee the Airport Managers for DCA and IAD, as well as the DVP of Operational Support.

Works under the administrative supervision of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO).

Serves in the Office of Operations at the Headquarters Office.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly and/or through subordinate Vice Presidents, plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates airport operations to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and customer-focused operations across DCA and IAD.

Provides executive leadership to the Airport Managers and Operational Support organizations, establishing strategic priorities, operational objectives, and performance expectations.

Ensures operational compliance with applicable FAA, TSA, DHS, OSHA, environmental, and other federal, state, and local regulations, Airports Authority policies, and industry best practices.

Establishes, approves, and continuously evaluates enterprise operational policies, standard operating procedures, governance frameworks, and performance standards to promote consistency, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across both airports.

Ensures safe operating conditions throughout the airfields, terminals, landside facilities, and operational infrastructure while promoting a culture of safety, security, and accountability.

Provides executive leadership during emergencies, major incidents, irregular operations, and continuity of operations events, ensuring coordinated response and recovery among internal departments and external agencies.

Collaborates with airlines, tenants, federal agencies, local governments, and regional stakeholders to resolve operational issues, improve service delivery, and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Develops and implements enterprise operational strategies, performance measures, and continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Provides executive oversight of operational budgets, workforce planning, and resource allocation and ensures divisions operate within appropriate budget.

Collaborates with executive leadership to identify emerging operational challenges, evaluate business opportunities, anticipate future aviation trends, and develop innovative operational solutions that support sustainable organizational growth.

Collaborates with Engineering, Legal, Revenue, Real Estate, Finance, Procurement, Information Technology, and other executive leaders to integrate operational requirements into capital improvement projects, technology initiatives, and long-range planning.

Monitors emerging operational risks, industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements and recommends strategies to improve operational performance and organizational resilience.

Assumes Executive Vice President and COO duties and responsibilities in their absence.

Performs other duties as assigned or as determined on own initiative.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in airport operations, aviation, transportation, military operations, or a similarly complex operational environment.

Experience as a second level or higher supervisor directing multiple operational divisions through senior managers.

Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, standards, and ordinances governing airport operations, aviation safety, security, emergency management, environmental compliance, and public administration.

Knowledge of airport operations, FAA Part 139 requirements, TSA security requirements, Safety Management Systems (SMS), emergency management, and airport business continuity.

Knowledge of strategic planning, organizational leadership, performance measurement, and operational excellence principles.

Ability to develop enterprise strategies that align operational performance with organizational goals.

Ability to make sound executive decisions involving complex operational, financial, and regulatory issues.

Strong leadership, collaboration, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Ability to make decisions and develop innovative approaches to deal with frequent change, unexpected events, conflict, and uncertain situations.

Ability to analyze complex operational issues and develop practical, innovative solutions.

Commitment to ethics, integrity, accountability, and public service.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with executive leadership, Board members, government officials, airlines, tenants, and external stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master's Degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Public Administration, Engineering, Transportation, or a related field.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES REQUIRED

State driver's license in good standing.

NECESSARY SPECIAL FACTORS

May travel between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and other Airports Authority facilities.

May be exposed to adverse weather conditions, aircraft noise, moving vehicles, construction activities, and other operational environments during inspections or emergency response.

Subject to holdover, recall, and after-hours response during emergencies, severe weather, security incidents, or other operational events.

Work is reviewed through organizational performance, strategic outcomes, customer service, operational effectiveness, fiscal stewardship, and achievement of Airports Authority objectives.

WHAT WE OFFER

A career with the Airports Authority comes with more than just a paycheck; it offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family's health, financial security, and professional growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and ongoing training and development opportunities. Discover more about our benefits package here.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.