Airport Business and Administration Manager (County Classification - Administrative Manager) chez County of San Luis Obispo, CA

About the Department

About the Role

The Department of Airports is seeking a strategic and solutions-oriented professional to serve as the Airport Business & Administration Manager (Administrative Manager).

Reporting to the Deputy Director of External Affairs and Administration, this position provides senior-level leadership over the Airport’s fiscal, administrative, and business functions — ensuring sound financial management, organizational efficiency, and long-term sustainability for San Luis Obispo County’s airport system.

The Airport Business & Administration Manager is responsible for overseeing strategic budgeting, capital funding strategies, procurement policy, and cross-departmental coordination. This position serves as a key advisor to Airport leadership on fiscal policy, regulatory compliance, and process improvement — bridging financial management, administration, and operational strategy to support the Airport’s mission and strategic goals.

This role collaborates closely with the Project Manager, Property Manager, and Sustainability Manager to align financial planning, capital development, and administrative initiatives. The position represents the Airports Department in high-level discussions with County departments, funding agencies, and partner organizations, supporting the growth and performance of a dynamic enterprise operation.

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

• Lead and manage fiscal and administrative operations for the Airport Department, including budgeting, finance, procurement, and policy development.
• Develop and oversee the department’s annual operating and capital budgets; prepare forecasts, long-range funding models, and financial analyses to support sustainable planning.
• Coordinate closely with the Project Manager to align financial planning, project timelines, and capital funding strategies for major airport improvements.
• Collaborate with the Property Manager and Sustainability Manager to integrate fiscal, environmental, and business priorities across programs.
• Oversee administrative functions such as contracts, records management, and internal policy development to ensure organizational consistency and compliance.
• Serve as primary liaison with County administrative departments, the FAA, granting agencies, and external partners on financial and administrative matters.
• Supervise and mentor accounting and administrative staff; promote professional development, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Implement and refine internal controls and business processes to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance across the organization.
• Advise Airport leadership on financial risk, regulatory compliance, and resource allocation decisions affecting both operational and capital priorities.
• Prepare and present reports to County leadership, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders on financial performance, budget status, and administrative initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, service-driven culture that supports both departmental performance and community trust.

Position Duties

Who You Are

You are a strategic, organized, and collaborative leader who thrives at the intersection of finance, policy, and operations. You combine analytical skill with strong communication and leadership abilities - bringing both structure and creativity to problem-solving. You value process efficiency, accountability, and teamwork and understand how sound administration supports public service and operational success.

You bring:

• Proven experience in governmental budgeting, finance, and enterprise fund management.
• Strong understanding of administrative operations, including contracts, procurement, and personnel coordination.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage staff, leadership, and external partners.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and transparent public service.

Highly desirable experience includes:

• Knowledge of FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), or other aviation funding programs.
• Experience in capital project financial planning, enterprise fund operations, or federal grant compliance.
• Familiarity with airport or transportation industry environments, particularly related to business administration and regulatory programs.

MIMIMUM QUALIFCATIONS

Education and Experience:

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, accounting, or a closely related field. In addition, two years as an Administrative Officer or other progressively responsible professional-level experience in finance or accounting, human resources, or other administrative functions, including two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certificates:
Certain positions within this classification may require driving. Positions that require driving will be communicated in the job posting. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid California driver’s license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. 

Minimum Qualifications

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date.  Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca.  Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process.  We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. 

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

Other Qualifications

Under direction, assumes responsibility for the administrative operations, including financial and budgetary, human resources, information systems, and other activities of a designated department or division; organizes and manages office and business activities to ensure effective and efficient operations; supervises, trains, and evaluates the performance of assigned professional, paraprofessional, technical, or clerical staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Levels in the administrative classification family are generally based on the nature of work performed, size and complexity of the organization and budget, type and number of functions and programs overseen, and scope and classifications of staff supervised.

The Administrative Manager is responsible for managing the administrative and fiscal functions of a department or large division. Incumbents typically oversee multiple core administrative functions in a small to medium-sized department, a medium-sized function with varied fiscal and administrative responsibilities, a routine medium-sized budget, or a smaller but more complex budget. Incumbents typically supervise a mix of professional, paraprofessional, technical, and clerical staff.

The Administrative Manager is distinguished from the Administrative Officer in that the latter oversees administrative functions of more limited size or complexity and may supervise paraprofessional or clerical staff.

The Administrative Manager is further distinguished from the Principal Administrative Manager in that the latter is typically allocated to departments or divisions of greater size, scope, and complexity, exercises broader administrative responsibilities, and has a wider span of control.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties:

(Not in order of importance)

• Directs and oversees administrative, financial, budgetary, and human resources functions of a designated department or division; establishes, implements, and evaluates policies and programs; ensures activities comply with department standards and legal requirements; identifies needs and implements improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Manages office and business activities, flow of information, and communication; develops and evaluates procedures, projects, and objectives; organizes automation and process improvement activities for administrative and functional areas; leads the development and implementation of projects, contracts, goals, services, and activities; ensures proper and timely resolution of issues, conflicts, and discrepancies.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of narrative, financial, and statistical records, reports, and documents; develops and coordinates training.
• Formulates and develops policies, procedures, and programs related to assigned areas; ensures the preparation and revision of policy and procedural manuals.
• Advises departmental leadership on the impact of new or pending legislation, regulations, and Countywide policies; coordinates implementation of changes to ensure organizational compliance.
• Monitors and assesses department programs, services, and operations for financial effectiveness and operational efficiency and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees; recommends appointments, reassignments, and disciplinary actions; assigns and reviews work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and performance standards.
• Collaborates and communicates with the public, departments, businesses, and external agencies to share information, coordinate efforts, and resolve a variety of issues.
• May manage and participate in the development of the annual department budget; reviews and analyzes budgetary and financial data; authorizes expenditures in accordance with established limitations; oversees a large division or department’s fiscal operations, including grants, contracts, and accounting activities through coordination with or direct supervision of financial and support staff. 
• May manage departmental human resources activities; collaborates with central Human Resources on organizational development, recruitment and retention, leave management, and disciplinary actions; administers disciplinary processes, including drafting and reviewing disciplinary actions on behalf of departmental management in accordance with established procedures and standards. 
• May supervise departmental information technology staff or serve as a liaison for automation activities with central Information Technology or external vendors; ensures the effective use of automated systems to support departmental operations; assists in the implementation and maintenance of automated processes; evaluates administrative systems and services for effectiveness and efficiency and recommends improvements. 
• May oversee the preparation and dissemination of media or public-facing communications, reports, and other informational materials related to departmental operations, programs, or services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices and procedures
• Principles, practices, and techniques involved in administrative, financial, budgetary, and human resources management activities
• Principles and best practices of governmental budget preparation and control, including forecasting, revenue and expenditure analysis, fund accounting, and multi-year financial planning
• Methods and procedures for grant, contract, and procurement administration, including compliance monitoring and financial oversight
• Use of automated systems and data management techniques to support administrative, fiscal, and operational functions
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Project management and evaluation
• Research, analysis, and statistical evaluation techniques
• Laws and best practices of human resources management
• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Principles, practices, and procedures of supervision, leadership, mentoring, evaluation, training, team dynamics, and team building 

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of professional activities involved in the overall administrative, financial, budgetary, and human resources management activities of a designated department or division
• Manage and organize office and business activities and flow of communications and information to ensure effective and efficient activities
• Collect, interpret, and evaluate budgetary, statistical, and accounting data
• Independently prepare, administer, and monitor budgets, including reviewing expenses, projecting revenues, and ensuring compliance with established fiscal policies and procedures
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend or implement effective solutions

• Promote an organized, professional, and safety-conscious work environment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a diverse population of individuals and groups
• Foster effective and positive working relationships with individuals from diverse perspectives by demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, effective communication, advisory expertise, mediation, conflict resolution, and consensus building