Share this job SVGs not supported by this browser. Description Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals: · Advance Airport Development · Transform the Customer Experience · Optimize Ongoing Business · Cultivate Our Culture Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world. Consistent with the pending retirement of the incumbent, the Board of Directors of the SDCRAA is now embarking on a national search to recruit a new President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Board is seeking a driven, dynamic, results-oriented airport leader who will employ strategic and tactical leadership to ensure that the Authority remains a strong economic engine for the region, while providing safe and efficient facilities and superior services and amenities to passengers. The CEO develops and oversees the implementation of the Authority’s Strategic Plan, as well as annual goals/objectives and tactical plans. Under general direction of the Board, the CEO is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all functions and activities of the airport. He/she directs the overall management of the airport to achieve the short- and long-range strategic planning goals and objectives, policies, budgets, and operating plans in accordance with directives developed in concert with the Board. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders including airlines, Authority employees, concessionaires, contractors, the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and Customs & Border Protection; airlines; business leaders; civic and community organizations; public constituencies; the press and other stakeholders who are dedicated to ensuring that the airport remains a strong economic engine for the region. The position reports to the Board and provides leadership to the highly talented leadership team within the Authority. An overview of each division of the Authority is provided in Appendix E. The CEO role is based at the SDCRAA corporate office on the airport campus and the successful candidate is expected to relocate, if necessary, to the greater San Diego area within a reasonable time period. Why You'll Love Working at SAN: Location: The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline. Salary: The targeted hiring salary range for the President & CEO is $250,000 - $400,000. Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails. Application Deadline: December 5, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. What You’ll Do: Ensure regular and timely reporting to and engagement with the Board of Directors. Work with the board to realize the Authority’s Purpose and Culture. Develop, refine, and implement the Authority’s Strategic Plan, inclusive of all embedded initiatives and objectives. Providing regular updates to the board relative to the achievement of key elements of the plan. Ensuring that Authority operates safely and efficiently, complying with all federal, state and local regulations, policies and contractual obligations, while applying modern best practices in airport management. Prepare and seek approval for the annual budget based on organizational goals and growth objectives. Meet or exceed specific and negotiated financial, commercial, and operating performance objectives. Establish and maintain relationships with airport stakeholders, including airport industry partners, key members of the community, federal and state officials. Cultivate, manage, and maintain good working relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships with various key constituent groups, including airlines, travelers, the business community, various levels of government, the tourism industry, regulators, various local community groups, civic leaders, and the general public. Oversee effective domestic and international passenger and cargo air service growth through strategically-focused approaches and innovative marketing efforts. Pursue ongoing commercial development, maximizing revenue and profitability from real estate, facilities, retail, car rental, parking, advertising and other related assets and services. Negotiate and oversee important commercial arrangements with air carriers, concessionaires and suppliers, and ensuring they are mutually beneficial, economically. Responsible for all aspects of contract management and negotiation, ensuring the Board’s interests are represented in any business activities regarding the agreement. Ensuring that Authority takes all necessary and appropriate actions to keep the costs of operation at appropriate levels, in order to ensure the ongoing cost-competitiveness of the airport to attract and properly serve the highly cost-conscious airline community. Oversee ongoing and future capital improvement projects ensuring that these projects are executed on-time and on-budget, with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations and ensuring that they are properly financed in the most cost-efficient manner. Working with the Chief Financial Officer to obtain financing to fund the capital requirements and other financial obligations of the airport and to maintain a strong credit rating for the organization. Ensuring participation in Authority’s procurement and commercial activities by businesses like Small Business Enterprises, Local Business Enterprises, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Working with local constituents and stakeholders to ensure that the airport serves as a key part of the overall San Diego experience in all respects. Establish and make progress against sustainability goals and initiatives. Respond to appropriate inquiries from government officials, the media and the public concerning airport activities. Provide inspired leadership to all Authority employees. Promote and maintain strong employee morale. Establish high expectations for all employees with regard to accountability, innovation, trust and respect. Provide guidance, development and direction for direct reports and staff across the Authority ensuring high-quality customer experience, strong business results, and all goals and metrics are achieved. Providing command and oversight of airport emergencies, heightened security situations and irregular weather operations. As appropriate, represent the Authority to airport industry groups, such as Airports Council International – North America/World and the American Association of Airport Executives. Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned by the Board. YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS: The following success factors represent those deemed most critical to be accomplished in the first year of employment. Establish strong, trust-based working relationships with the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and key internal and external stakeholders. Establish himself/herself as the clear leader of the SDCRAA, building strong relationships with the senior leadership team. San Diego County Regional Airport Authority – Chief Executive Officer 11 Build early and trust-based relationships with major airline and non-airline tenants and partners. Identify and address the most compelling issues and opportunities facing the Authority. Meet established annual objectives across multiple areas: financial, operational, air service, and other. Continue focusing on the strategic growth of air service development. Ensure operational excellence. Integrate into the greater San Diego community. Requirements PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate should bring most, if not all, of the following: A highly regarded and experienced airport executive with knowledge and experience of airport industry best practices, standards, and regulations. Experience as the overall leader of a successful and progressive airport organization or as a direct report of one. Consideration may also be given to candidates from adjacent but relevant industry sectors. Experience as a general manager with overall cross-functional responsibility for the development and management of an enterprise or complex organization, ideally with experience as a Chief Executive Officer and, if not, as a divisional or business unit general manager. Consideration could also be given to executives who have yet to serve in senior general management roles but are considered CEO-ready. Experience in public administration and ideally a satisfactory blend of both private and public sector experience and of working at the public-private sector interface. Broad-based, well-rounded functional experience with exposure to airport finance, air service development, revenue generation, administration, airport operations, maintenance, planning, and development. Experience in capital program management of scale, specifically construction and commissioning of airport terminals, with a track record of on-budget and on-time delivery. A proven track-record of working in a highly regulated environment, advancing airport policy and legislative interests at the Federal, state and local levels. A strong track record in securing funding from multiple sources – local, regional, state and federal. A strong background in, and focus on, regional economic development. Ideally, experience in successful air service development in both the domestic and international markets. Demonstrated track record of establishing and maintaining solid, respectful and trusting relationships with all key stakeholders, including boards, appointed governmental officials, airlines, industry groups, concessionaires, on-airport service providers, business and community leaders, special interest groups, and other stakeholder groups. A strong community outreach orientation with experience representing his or her organization at very senior levels to a wide variety of audiences, including the community and the public at-large. Demonstrated strong project management skills in the context of direct management responsibility for large-scale initiatives involving significant dollar amounts and implications, a large staff and many diverse stakeholder groups. A demonstrated high degree of innovation, which can effectively ‘create the future’ for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. Proven leadership skills with a strong track record of internal talent development. A capable ambassador, experienced and comfortable working in highly visible representational positions that have put him or her “in the spotlight” and “under the microscope.” Skill in dealing with the media on a regular basis. An individual with a “career runway” of at least 5 years, and ideally 10 years. Willingness and ability to relocate to the greater San Diego area, if necessary, to effectively integrate himself/herself into the community. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of an undergraduate degree. Graduate degree and advanced executive leadership courses are highly desirable. Thorough knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations relating to civil airport operations, including those of the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and Customs & Border Patrol. Ideally, but not necessarily, certification as an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and/or International Airport Professional (IAP) is preferred. Eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. IDEAL PERSONAL PROFILE: Integrity and honesty beyond reproach. Humility, with an orientation to give credit to his/her team and other key stakeholders, versus seeking the spotlight himself/herself. Brings a servant leadership approach. A sense of passion, inspiring others to follow. A strong combination of IQ and EQ. Someone that is highly intelligent but equally an active and ongoing learner with an open mind. A strong and visible leader of people with the skills required to motivate and “move” people in new directions. A bold leader by example and the ability to cultivate these attributes in others. A strong delegator who makes effective use of his or her team and does not micromanage. A leader who gives people the responsibility and authority to get their jobs done. Visionary and forward-thinking, with a track record of identifying the “next” opportunities for the airport, with an understanding that the candidate will inherit the current policies of the organization. An ability to balance his or her visionary orientation with solid execution and delivery skills; results-focused. Someone with a demonstrated track record of getting things done, demonstrating strong discipline and breaking through bureaucracy. Strong business and financial acumen and insight. An individual who thinks and acts like a businessperson. Excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by the ability to articulate an idea, as well as the ability to listen to others; a level of comfort interacting with employees at all levels. Collaborative and team-oriented. An individual oriented toward and effective at partnering and building relationships with key stakeholders. A genuine listener who is careful to hear what others say and ensures that their concerns are heard. San Diego County Regional Airport Authority – Chief Executive Officer 13 Accessible; someone who maintains an open-door policy. An effective arbitrator and consensus builder, capable of appreciating the differing and sometimes competing interests in a situation and of bringing them together around a common and acceptable solution. Highly numerate, with a strong capacity for interpretation of figures and trends. An effective manager of multiple issues while managing conflicting interests, demonstrating courage under pressure and acting decisively, but not unilaterally, to build consensus from division and department leaders on sensitive issues. A tough-minded, independent thinker yet also oriented toward working with others in a highly cooperative manner, demonstrating an appreciation and consideration of the interests of others. Politically savvy and astute but apolitical. Thick-skinned; brings an apolitical orientation but with good political sensitivity, astuteness and acumen who can handle himself or herself well with politicians and political bodies. An individual with “gravitas” and senior executive-level stature to command respect and attention in the role, both internally and externally. A demonstrated professional with executive presence to stand on behalf of an organization as its leader. Comfort working within a fast-paced, high-pressure, unstructured and fast-changing environment. Calm, cool and collected; unfazed by crisis or challenge. EEO Statement It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Physical & Mental Demands Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter). Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law. Apply for this job