Airport Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer

Purpose

Under nominal direction of the Airport Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this position is responsible for supporting the Airport CEO in all facets of maintaining and operating Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). This position serves as a liaison to the Office of the City Manager, Mayor and Council, other City departments, and external stakeholders on behalf of the Airport CEO. It plays a critical role in ensuring continuity of AUS business operations, workforce strategy, and external advocacy in support of the Airport’s long-term vision.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Carries out the Airport CEO's directives, ensuring alignment with City policies and regulatory requirements.
• Partners with AUS leadership team to develop and implement organizational policies and strategic initiatives.  
• Provides oversight and direction to external communications, public relations, safety, human resources, talent acquisition, strategic planning, and performance management functions and programs. Identifies and manages critical issues that have significant impact to AUS executive strategy, operational effectiveness, and long-term vision.
• Analyzes business needs; develops and implements short- and long-range strategies, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with, and represents the department to, external stakeholders such as airline executives; concessionaires; transportation operators; business leaders; and Federal, State, and Local regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates with other City departments to gather insights, resources, and data to support critical decision making.
• Develops, revises, and implements standard operating practices, policies, and procedures governing programs and department activities.
• Represents the department’s interests at State and national levels on policy, airport, and environmental issues to governmental and regulatory agencies, boards, City Council, commissions, and the community.
• Advocates for AUS business priorities and represents the department in regional and national forums to promote innovation, policy alignment, and strategic development.
• Coordinates departmental activities and programs with other City departments, agencies, and service providers.
• Prepares and contributes to the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, and responses to AUS issues as appropriate.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, County, and municipal rules and regulations applicable to the operation of a Part 139 commercial service airport including knowledge of TSA Part 1542.
• Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
• Knowledge of modern management principles and practices and the design and development of airport facilities.
• Skill in fiscal planning and developing and preparing budgets.
• Skill in managing and allocating financial and human resources to execute operational and business plans.
• Skill in leading and managing a diverse workforce including department employees and contractors in an airport environment.
• Ability to design short- and long-term strategies/programs that are scalable and efficient in a large and complex organization.
• Ability to develop strategic direction and program implementation collaboratively with various stakeholder/community groups.
• Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple City departments and internal business units to meet goals and objectives.
• Ability to make decisions and develop innovative approaches to deal with frequent changes, unexpected events, conflicts, and uncertain situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, develop and deliver public presentations, and act as the corporate spokesperson when incidents involving operations occur.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Business or Aviation Management, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Engineering, or a related field, plus ten (10) years of related experience, including six (6) years of experience which were in a managerial or executive capacity.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required non-managerial or executive experience.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Executive leadership experience in airport administration, strategy or stakeholder engagement within a complex organization.
• Expertise in managing mission-critical airport infrastructure, utilities, and technology systems, including implementation of asset management and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
• Proven success guiding strategic planning and performance management.
• Strong ability to represent the organization with governing bodies, regulatory agencies, business partners, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated record of driving organizational change to enhance efficiency, engagement and employee experience.

Notes To Candidate

To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here.

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

The position

Reporting to Reporting to the Airport Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Airport Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer plays a critical role in ensuring continuity of AUS business operations, workforce strategy, and external advocacy in support of the Airport’s long-term vision. This position operates with a high level of autonomy and provides strategic leadership, oversight and direction to external communications, public relations, safety, human resources, Workforce development, strategic planning, and performance management functions and programs.

Salary Range: Salary is commensurate based on experience and the approved salary range.

Location: AUS Administrative Building, 3201-A Presidential Blvd. Austin, TX 78719

Days and Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday – Friday.

*Hours may vary depending upon business needs. This position is on-site.

The Ideal Candidate

AUS is seeking a forward-thinking leader with extensive experience in managing complex programs. The ideal candidate will be a strategic executive who excels in fostering collaboration across diverse business units. This individual will have a proven ability to drive strategic planning initiatives, and ensure operational continuity in alignment with AUS’s long-term growth. The next Airport Chief Officer will inspire teams, champion organizational change, and deliver results that enhance efficiency, engagement and the employee experience.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

• Exceptional Leadership – A collaborative executive who builds strong relationships with stakeholders, business partners, City departments, and regulatory agencies, while motivating teams toward common goals.
• Operational and Technical Acumen – Deep understanding of airport business model.
• Thinks Analytically and Strategically – A visionary leader who can assess complex operational needs, anticipate future challenges, and develop strategies that align with AUS’s long-term objectives.
• Agility – Demonstrates resilience and adaptability in guiding teams through organizational change, and expansion.
• Customer Focus – Committed to delivering a superior passenger experience while balancing the expectations of airport stakeholders and business partners.
• Inclusive Workspace – Fosters inclusive, welcoming, and safe workspaces aligned with AUS’s values and the community it serves.
• Business Ethics – Recognized for integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making in leading large-scale operations.
• Boundary-less Perspective – Brings a broad, systems-level perspective to complex challenges, connecting cross-departmental strategies and anticipating future trends in aviation.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
• The top candidate will be subject to a minimum 10 year criminal background check and security threat assessment.
• A first review of candidates will occur on May 11, 2026. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.

Note: Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public in compliance with the Texas Open Records Act.

About City of Austin

The City of Austin is a progressive, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Austin’s mayor is elected from the city at large, and ten council members are elected from single-member districts. Terms of the mayor and council members are four years, and terms are staggered so that a general election is held every two years, with half the council being elected at each election. Term limits for the mayor and council members provide for two consecutive four-year terms. The City Council is responsible for the appointment of the City Manager, who is the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the City, City Clerk, City Auditor, Municipal Court Judges, and the Municipal Court Clerk.To learn more about the dynamic City of Austin, visit austintexas.gov.

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