Description

Mission Statement
Meet the critical transportation infrastructure needs of the bi-state region’s people, businesses, and visitors by providing the highest quality and most efficient transportation and port commerce facilities and services to move people and goods within the region, provide access to the nation and the world, and promote the region’s economic development.
Background
Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency’s network of aviation facilities, which consist of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), and Teterboro Airport (TEB) have an economic impact that is nearly unrivaled in the New York City metropolitan region, supporting more than 438,000 jobs paying more than $37 billion in annual wages and generating more than $88 billion in annual sales.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has been operated by the Port Authority under a lease with the City of New York since 1947. Access to the airport is provided by AirTrain JFK, the airport's rail link to the region that opened in 2003, and major highways. JFK serves as the primary international gateway to the U.S. and the New York/New Jersey region. The PA's largest airport in both land and passenger volume, it is located in Queens, NY. In 2023, the airport served more than 62.5 million passengers—just shy of the record total set in 2019—and handled more than 1.5 million tons of cargo. Work on a $19 billion public-private redevelopment program is well under way and includes two new terminals, two expanded/refurbished terminals, a unified terminal layout, world-class amenities, a redesigned on-airport traffic pattern, centralized ground transportation options, and expanded taxiways and gate capacity.
Aviation Department Vision & Mission
The Aviation Department’s vision is to be a world-class operator of world-class airports. This vision is achieved through a laser focus on three pillars – investment in our facilities, delivering a world-class customer experience, and managing our airports through a 21st Century governance model. We ensure the safety, security, and efficiency of our airport system to best serve all our customers; build infrastructure and provide services to meet the demand for air transportation of people, goods, and services; and facilitate job creation and economic growth to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, and visit the New York/New Jersey region.
The Port Authority of NY & NJ’s Aviation Department operates the busiest airport system in the Americas, which in 2023 served more than 144 million passengers and handled about 2.3 million tons of cargo. The department’s vision is to be a world-class operator of world-class airports. The agency’s airport system offers more flights aboard more airlines to more destinations than anywhere else in the world.
Functional Oversight
Reporting to the Airport General Manager, the Deputy General Manager (DGM) is responsible for management and strategic oversight of the airport. The DGM ensures that the airport is operated in a safe, secure, and efficient manager, in compliance with federal, state, and local laws/regulations, and in a financially sound manner. The position provides a unified vision for the airport and drives a world-class customer experience through an integrated governance model that includes strong partnerships with airport stakeholders and the communities surrounding these facilities. The DGM also directs the development and implementation of appropriate plans to ensure facilities and assets meet the existing and future needs of customers and key stakeholders. The DGM will support and serve as GM as needed.
The DGM is responsible for leading / overseeing the following functions: Aeronautical Operations, Landside Operations, Customer Experience, Physical Plant and Structures, Airport Maintenance, AirTrain (where applicable), Terminal Operations, Finance, Airport Certification, Concessions, Properties and Commercial Development, and Administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Safe, Secure and Resilient Operations: Provide vision and active leadership over development and execution of high-quality airport initiatives to meet the needs of customers, employees, and airport partners. Lead Airport Operations and Maintenance to protect the welfare and needs of customers and employees. Ensure successful execution of a comprehensive landside operations and customer service program, and compliance with regulatory requirements for aeronautical operations. Lead efforts with airport staff and Aviation headquarters to establish goal-driven management plans to ensure compliance with federal regulations (Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Customs & Border Protection).
• Stakeholder and Partnership Management: Provide vision and active leadership over airport operations, customer experience, growth and development through strong internal and external stakeholder relationships and an integrated governance model. Work closely with internal and external stakeholders including federal agencies, airlines, terminal operators, cargo companies, tenants, customers, media, elected officials, and community organizations to advance the airport’s business agenda and provide a safe, reliable, world-class experience to customers.
• Customer Experience: Provide leadership of the airport’s programs, initiatives, and operational activities aimed at driving a world-class customer experience. Coordinate with Aviation Customer Experience Officer and other airport DGMs to develop strategies and tactical solutions to improve the customer experience and ensure mitigation activities and follow-up actions to address issues.
• Financial Self-Sustainability: Lead airport staff in achieving financial success by managing facility operating expenses and overtime within budget guidelines. Manage and review performance for large, complex annual operating, capital, and revenue budgets. Ensure a culture of financial accountability demonstrated by regular reviews of all operating units and all overtime practices.
• Leadership and Talent Management: Optimize staff capabilities and ensure the continuity of the airport's agenda by building a highly talented, flexible, nimble workforce. Provide vision and leadership to staff to advance priorities consistent with departmental and agency objectives. Clearly and regularly communicate the airport’s vision and mission and provide meaningful and challenging developmental assignments, mentoring, classroom and on-the-job training, proper equipment and resources, and effective communication, coordination, and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders. Advance the Agency’s Employer of Choice strategic priority by focusing on building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Irregular Operations and Airport Emergencies: Lead efforts with all airport stakeholders to prepare plans for and manage irregular operations and airport emergencies (i.e., inclement weather, infrastructure failures, etc.). The incumbent must be available 24/7 to respond to airport emergencies such as aircraft accidents, snowstorms, natural disasters, security-related and other incidents requiring the presence of senior leadership.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Transportation, Planning, Engineering, Business, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university, with at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in aviation, transportation, operations or related business field in a large, complex operating environment.
• 15 years of relevant experience can substitute the requirement for a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Strong leadership capability, demonstrated through the ability to manage, develop and motivate diverse teams to achieve high performance
• Ability to respond immediately to airport emergencies, inclusive of inclement weather or other irregular operations, 24 hours per day, seven days per week

Desired

• Ideal candidates will present the following profile:
• AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) or Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E) certification, or ICAO International Airport Professional (IAP) certification
• Superior communication skills, with demonstrated success in managing communications across a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated relevant regulatory and operational experience
• Demonstrated experience in managing diverse teams of staff in a unionized work environment
• Knowledge of Airport Rules and Regulations
• Strong collaboration and relationship building skills with the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with all levels of internal and external stakeholders including air carriers, tenants, vendors, and third-party contractors
• Knowledge of continually changing Federal and State regulations related to airline operations, airfield operations, Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic procedures, coupled with an understanding of the National Airspace System
• Ability to develop methods of meeting regulations given cost and resource constraints
• Understanding of both the government and commercial side of the business and be able to exert influence on senior leadership in the industry
• Knowledge of the Airport Certification and Safety standards and the ability to enforce regulatory standards