Vice President Operational Asset Management

About Us:

Welcome to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, where we operate RDU International Airport, a vital hub connecting North Carolina to the world. In 2024, our teamwork helped us serve 15.5 million passengers, generate a $24.1 billion economic impact, and our dedication to excellence has been recognized with a Top Five passenger satisfaction ranking in North America. We're a tight-knit team where accountability and collaboration are our guiding principles, and safety is our top priority. Whether your role is indoors or outdoors, you'll be part of a supportive environment that values your contributions. We believe in investing in our people, offering competitive benefits and professional development to help your career take flight.

About You:

You embody core values that will play a pivotal role in connecting our community to places and the people who matter most. Your commitment to continuous learning will drive innovation and growth, while your unwavering integrity ensures that our brand remains trustworthy and reputable. Your respect for colleagues and clients alike fosters a collaborative and positive environment. Your dedication to excellence in every task you undertake will elevate our brand’s standards. Lastly, your team spirit will unite our efforts and amplify our collective success.

About the Role: 

As the Vice President of Operational Asset Management, you’ll be at the controls of the airport’s operational readiness, ensuring every system, facility, and piece of infrastructure is cleared for takeoff—every day. This role serves as the strategic pilot for the Operational Asset Management Department, setting the course, guiding the crew, and making sure critical assets perform reliably and safely at all times.

Working with a skilled team, you will oversee the maintenance, physical operation, and lifecycle management of airport facilities and systems. From runways and terminals to essential support infrastructure, you’ll ensure assets are not only well-maintained, but optimized for performance, resilience, and long-term value.

With a steady hand and a clear flight plan, you’ll align people, processes, and resources to keep the airport operating at peak capacity—so passengers, partners, and operations can move forward smoothly, safely, and on schedule.

Compensation:

Maximum – Based on experience

Minimum - $141,790

What You’ll Do: 

• Plans, organizes, and directs through directors, managers, administrative staff, and/or contracted service providers the following areas: facility, civil infrastructure, fleet, and equipment maintenance, baggage handling system operation and maintenance, fuel storage and distribution systems operation and maintenance, aircraft support systems maintenance, pest control, and landscape maintenance services.
• Ensures airport systems and equipment are operating reliably and efficiently. Specific systems include but are not limited to fire alarm, fire suppression, building management systems, lighting control systems, primary and standby power, passenger boarding bridges, preconditioned air units, ground power units, elevator/escalator/moving walkways, airfield lighting and control systems, uninterruptable power systems, automatic transfer switches, and central energy plants to include chillers and boilers.
• Applies engineering principles, practices, and contract management knowledge in the development of comprehensive and cost-effective programs for the preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance and repair of Airport facilities and infrastructure.
• Prepares and administers complex multi-departmental operating budgets.
• Establishes standards of preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance, and system operation, including operational contingency plans
• Develops and implements plans for maintaining the airfield to FAA certification standards.
• Develops and implements contingency plans for the operation of critical airport facilities and systems; participates in emergency and disaster planning and response, including winter weather and other events.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and adaptability when engaging with internal staff, stakeholders, and service providers.
• Leads with emotional intelligence and self-awareness, ensuring decisions and communications reflect transparency, respect, and a commitment to building trust across all organizational levels.

What You Need:

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, business, facility management, or related field.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in engineering preferred.

Experience:

Required:

• 10 or more years of experience in maintaining critical systems, complex facilities, and overseeing a complex maintenance organization, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• 20 years of experience in maintaining critical systems, complex facilities, and overseeing a complex maintenance organization.
• Commercial Airport experience

Licenses or Certifications:

Required:

• Valid NC Driver’s License

Preferred:

• Licensed Professional Engineer
• Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) or the ability to attain such licensure within six months.
• Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional designation

Emergency/Weather Status

This position is considered Essential. This means that the department and role are essential to operations and are required to be on-site during airport incidents (emergencies or weather-related events).

Location:

On-site RDU Airport Campus

RDU Benefits:

At the Authority, we appreciate you and care about your health, happiness, and future. Our benefits start on day one, including medical, dental, vision, tuition assistance, employee discounts, and perks like an on-site gym, a dedicated wellness team, and frequent company and team outings. For a full list of benefit offerings, check out the RDU.com Careers Page