Airport Senior Manager of Airfield Operations en City of Cleveland, OH

About the Department

Position Duties

Typical duties performed, include, but are not limited to oversight of daily operations to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and organizational priorities. Dependent upon service area, may manage and direct staff to maintain efficient workflows, ensuring productivity and high-quality outcomes.   Develop, implement, and evaluate operational strategies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.  Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement.   Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to support departmental initiatives.   Perform other job-related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.   Substitution: Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking.  Six (6) years of full-time management experience required.   Four (4) years of demonstrated leadership experience.   Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement effective solutions.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Valid State of Ohio Driver’s License required.    

Other Qualifications

Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10 year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check and employment background check and Security Threat Assessment.  
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
• NIMS and ICS certifications for General Employee tier and any assigned working groups must be completed within six months of employment and complete additional or refresher trainings as required.
• Must have a demonstrated ability to work in a diverse and inclusive environment that fosters non-discrimination.
• Must have an understanding of business operations and processes.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, ability to work with a diverse number of people, such as executives, managers, suppliers, vendors, and various City of Cleveland representatives. 
• Must be computer proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience within a Part 139 certificated airport environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in managing snow and ice control programs, field maintenance teams, and vehicle fleets in a 24/7 operational setting.
• Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Operations or Airfield Maintenance
• AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) or Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.)
• Certified Snow Professional (CSP) – SIMA or equivalent
• Airport Ground Vehicle Operations and Safety Certification

The Senior Manager of Airfield Operations provides executive-level leadership and oversight of all functions related to airfield safety, airport operations, common use systems, field maintenance, and vehicle maintenance. This position ensures that all operational and maintenance activities on the airfield and within movement/non-movement areas comply with federal regulations, operational best practices, and the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Serving as a senior member of the Airport Operations leadership team, this position is instrumental in driving innovation, operational readiness, and interdepartmental collaboration. The incumbent will lead initiatives that improve airfield reliability, technology integration, sustainability, and regulatory compliance, while empowering teams through data, accountability, and performance-driven culture.

Leadership & Strategic Management

• Directs and manages Airfield Operations, Field Maintenance, Common Use Programming, and Vehicle Maintenance Bureau, ensuring seamless coordination between daily operations and long-term strategic initiatives.
• Establishes clear goals, priorities, and service delivery standards for each operational unit to align with the airport’s strategic plan.
• Builds a culture of accountability, safety, and innovation among staff and contract partners.
• Provides mentorship and development opportunities to supervisors and team members to foster professional growth and succession readiness.

Operational Oversight

• Ensures daily airfield inspections, self-inspections, and operational activities comply with FAA Part 139, TSA 1542, and all applicable Advisory Circulars and operational directives.
• Oversees Field Maintenance operations, including airfield lighting, pavement management, snow and ice control, mowing, and airfield infrastructure upkeep.
• Provides executive oversight of Common Use Systems, including passenger processing, baggage handling, and gate management platforms, ensuring reliability and effective coordination with IT and airline stakeholders.
• Oversees Vehicle Maintenance Bureau, ensuring all airport-owned vehicles, heavy equipment, and snow removal units are properly maintained, tracked, and replaced according to lifecycle standards.
• Coordinates with the Operations Command Center (OCC) and external agencies during irregular operations, emergencies, and severe weather events.

Financial & Contract Management

• Develops and manages annual operating and capital budgets for Airfield Operations, Field Maintenance, and Vehicle Maintenance.
• Oversees procurement and administration of contracts and service agreements related to common use systems, field equipment, and operational support services.
• Monitors expenditures and identifies opportunities for cost reduction, process efficiency, and reinvestment in modernization efforts.
• Ensures fiscal discipline while balancing operational reliability and compliance obligations.

Technology & Innovation

• Leads efforts to integrate emerging technologies into airfield and operational management—such as real-time inspection platforms, digital work orders, automated gate assignments, and snow operations tracking systems.
• Promotes data-driven decision-making through dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and performance analytics.
• Champions the evolution toward predictive maintenance, sustainability, and smart airport infrastructure.
• Collaborates with IT, engineering, and planning teams to identify technology solutions that improve efficiency and passenger experience.

Compliance & Performance

• Maintains full compliance with FAA Part 139, TSA regulations, NFPA, and all other applicable safety standards.
• Ensures preparation and successful outcomes during FAA certification inspections, internal audits, and external reviews.
• Establishes and monitors performance metrics for airfield inspections, snow removal response, and vehicle/equipment uptime.
• Develops, reviews, and enforces Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Emergency Plans to support operational continuity.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serves as the primary liaison to airlines, FAA, TSA, fixed-base operators, tenants, and contractors regarding airfield and operational issues.
• Coordinates with internal departments on infrastructure projects to minimize disruption to airfield operations.
• Represents the airport at local, regional, and national aviation forums, promoting best practices and professional excellence.