SVP, Airport Operations and Public Safety

The Allegheny County Airport Authority [ACAA] invites you aboard our mission to create meaningful travel experiences in the aviation industry. As Pittsburgh’s gateway to the world, both Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport serve as beacons of change and connectivity for our region. As a member of our crew, you will directly serve, inspire, and advance our community in significant ways that impact the daily lives of others and the future of our organization. Whether you have a passion for travel, an appreciation for aeronautics and aviation, or an unparalleled love for the city of Pittsburgh, ACAA provides the opportunity for the next chapter of your career to take flight. 

Our culture is one that emphasizes high performance, innovation, and learning. We know that those things only happen when everyone who works in an organization is properly empowered, equipped, and enabled in their roles to make an impact. At ACAA success is a shared responsibility, and we look forward to supporting and developing the unique strengths you could bring to our team.

Job Summary

Under the broad supervision of the Chief Operations Officer, the Senior Vice President, Airport Operations and Public Safety will oversee and provide strategic direction through the management and development of airport operations, field maintenance, fire department, security and public safety functions at Pittsburgh International Airport. The incumbent will ensure that the ACAA is prepared for current and emerging conditions related to the industry and region, maintaining our focus on delivering an optimal experience at our airports to our employees, customers, airlines, and partners.

Here is how the Senior Vice President, Airport Operations & Public Safety will help:  

• Oversee and provide strategic direction for all airport operations, public safety and security, fire and ensuring that PIT continually operates under certification requirements and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure that all major ACAA programs are aligned to the functions of the Airport Operations Department, including airport communications, emergency coordination, airfield management methods and procedures. 
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Airport Operations, Public Safety and Field Maintenance Departments, including training, planning, organizing, staffing, and directing staff.
• Partner with and advise the senior leadership team on annual and long-term plans, programs, and budgets; exercise control over planning, formulation, and maintenance of expenditure control for the Public Safety, Airport Operations and Field Maintenance budgets.
• Oversee airport operation programs including the Airport Operational Database and Resource Management, Self-Inspection, and Vehicle Movement Area Transponders. Manage contract services that support the overall airport operations, field maintenance and public safety activities.
• Oversee PIT’s irregular operations execution with regard to planning, execution, and resumption of operations.
• Review all design and construction plans related to the Terminal Modernization Program to ensure security and operations procedures are consistent with the ACM, ASP and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and that industry best practices or cutting edge pilot programs are considered and implemented.
• Lead continuous process improvement through the evaluation and recommendation of airport operations and systems to streamline work processes and increase efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Directs consultants and contractors engaged in the design, development, and implementation of airport operations and public safety systems and equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to aviation business development. 
• Perform other related tasks as assigned or required.

The successful candidate for the role of Senior Vice President, Airport Operations & Public Safety will demonstrate the following key competencies needed in our culture:

• Communication - Engages and inspires employees to action  Authority-wide through clear and persuasive communication. Influences stakeholders to advance strategies. Listens actively (demonstrates nonverbal behaviors that shows respect for others’ ideas). Promotes an environment which fosters open sharing of opinions on tough issues
• Strategic Thinking - Stay up to date on industry trends and competitive best practices. Able to identify long-term (2 years) risks to key objectives and develop plans to mitigate them
• Team Leadership - Works across departments to effectively influence deploying Authority resources. Adapts leadership style to match the needs of the situation, team or individual. Develops successors across departments. Demands a “one team” environment to drive cross-functional collaboration
• Customer Centricity - Drives improvement in key customer metrics. Innovates continuously around customer experience

Qualifications 

Requirements to apply for role of Senior Vice President, Airport Operations & Public Safety are:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in aviation management, public administration, facilities / logistics management or related field.  Master's degree preferred.
• 12 years related experience, 8 years of which must have been upper-level management at a medium or large hub airport.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) status in good standing from the American Association of Airport Executives a plus.
• Must be able to respond to airport emergencies 24 hours per day, seven days per week, unless previously coordinated with the Chief Operations Officer. 
• Current, valid Pennsylvania Class C driver’s license or ability to obtain the same and maintain throughout employment.

We also expect that candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities in most cases:  

• Extensive knowledge of policies, practices and techniques of general management and administration, fire operations, emergency planning & security, airfield operations and facility management.
• Considerable knowledge of airport operations, terminology, facilities, safety & security procedures, snow removal procedures, emergency management techniques, National Incident Management System procedures, Federal, State and Local aviation rules and regulations pertaining to airport ground operations.
• Considerable knowledge of FAA ground control radio procedures, ATC organization, TSA policies, procedures & regulations, and Civil Aviation Security rules and procedures.
• Knowledge of FAR’s, Advisory Circulars, Regional and National Orders.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with numerous variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
• Knowledge of the principles, and experience in the practices and techniques of senior organizational leadership and management, in developing staff and in direct supervision.

Don’t meet every requirement? 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. As a Smarter Airport, we recognize that talent is not always related job history and skills come from valuable experiences that aren’t always shown on a resume. If you are excited to make a positive change for our region, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for our organization, whether it be this role or another.

Caring For Our Crew

At ACAA, we’ve got you covered. That applies to how we equip, empower, and enable our people to do their jobs. It also applies to our benefits, which are broader and more valuable than what many other employers offer:

• We offer two plan options for healthcare coverage from high-quality insurance carriers, as well as an ACAA-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that will help offset the cost of many medical expenses.
  • ACAA employees pay almost $1,200 less per year in healthcare payroll contributions than the average employee in other companies, according to market surveys.
  • When HRA funding is included, the health-plan deductibles paid by ACAA employees are about $1,200 lower on average than the costs paid by employees of other companies.
  • ACAA does not require that employees meet a separate deductible for pharmacy expenses before prescription-drug coverage kicks in.
• ACAA’s dental plans (included with healthcare coverage) offer an option covering children’s orthodontia.
• Employees also can take advantage of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
• All eligible full-time ACAA employees participate in the Allegheny County Employees Pension Plan, a defined-benefit plan that vests after 10 years of service.
• Employees also may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows them to contribute part of their pay on a pre-tax basis into long-term retirement investments.
• A robust Employee Assistance Program (including access to free counselling sessions, financial guidance, and care coordination), life insurance options, a wellness program, and eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program round out ACAA’s exemplary benefits. 
• Employees may enroll their children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age in our on-site preschool and childcare center, La Petite Academy, at Pittsburgh International Airport. 

About Allegheny County Airport Authority

Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader. 

Pittsburgh International Airport serves nearly 10 million passengers annually on 17 carriers and was named by Fast Company magazine as One of the Most Innovative Companies in the World as well as a finalist in its World Changing Ideas awards, both in 2020. PIT’s first-of-its-kind microgrid – which completely powers the airport campus through natural gas and solar energy – has won numerous awards for resiliency and sustainability. 

PIT is in the midst of an ambitious terminal modernization that will make the passenger experience more efficient and deliver real opportunity for the region. The $1.4 billion new terminal program will construct a smarter, greener airport, inspired by the best of our region. The updated terminal lands in 2025 and will be the first airport terminal in the U.S. to be built from the ground-up post-pandemic, designed and constructed with the highest public health standards in mind.

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