Aviation Director

Requirements

MOS Codes: None

The City of El Paso is seeking a highly qualified and collaborative Aviation Director for its Aviation Department. The Director will manage and direct El Paso International Airport operations, including business and financial operations, airfield and building maintenance, air service development, capital improvement programs, and long-range planning. This executive position reports to the Deputy City Manager and leads a department of approximately 237 FTEs.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in advancing ELP as the gateway to West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen air service and airline relationships, guide modernization and capital delivery, maintain FAA and TSA compliance, generate revenue, support Foreign-Trade Zone 68 and airport business development, and build a culture where employees are informed, respected, accountable, and able to thrive.

The City of El Paso (Pop. 683,012) is a full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Known as the Sun City, El Paso offers a dynamic borderland setting rich in history, culture, food, arts, and outdoor recreation. Framed by the Franklin Mountains and connected to New Mexico and Mexico, El Paso combines big-city services, regional influence, and a welcoming community identity.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Public or Aviation Administration or a related field, plus eight (8) years of professional airport administration or operations experience, including four (4) years in a managerial capacity.

A valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state is required by date of appointment. Residency within the City of El Paso city limits is required by date of employment. The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check, maintain federally mandated airport security clearance, and be available for emergency recall and extended hours as needed.

General Purpose

Under administrative direction, manage and direct the operations of the El Paso International Airport, including business and financial operations, airfield and building maintenance, air service development, capital improvement programs, and long-range planning.

Typical Duties

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Plan, organize, control, and provide overall direction of airport operations. Involves: Providing direction in issues relating to airlines and other tenants, reviewing and overseeing business and real estate matters, reviewing operations, including safety and security issues associated with and required by Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) regulations.

• Plan, develop, and monitor long-term facility development plans for the airport and associated aviation and industrial properties.

• Direct and oversee airport and airfield maintenance issues and programs, and promote the observation of safe work practices.

• Direct and oversee strategic marketing campaigns, air service strategic objectives, and plans to expand air service to increase airport usage. Initiate and oversee the negotiation of contractual agreements to generate a positive economic impact of air service to the region.
• Review and evaluate service delivery methods and systems, including administrative, control, and security systems and internal relationships. Involves: Identifying opportunities for improvement and recommending improvements to systems and standard operating procedures to enhance operations and customer service.

• Establish work priorities, monitor work progress, develop and monitor departmental operating and capital improvement budgets, and approve purchases and expenditures.

• Respond to and resolve sensitive and complex inquiries and complaints, including requests of the City Manager, Mayor, Council, federal agencies, and department directors for information and interpretation.

• Represent the City at various meetings and conferences and interact with a wide range of officials, regulatory agencies, airport tenants, department directors, coworkers, and the public.

• Understanding of FAA Part 107 requirements, pilot certification, CoWAs, and ensure strong citywide UAS record keeping. Knowledge of BLOVS and airspace risk management. The ability to oversee the integration of UAS operations into broader airport safety, security, and economic development goals.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, discipline, and recommendations for hiring, promotion, termination or other employee status changes.

The City is seeking a ideal candidate with these key competencies:

• Exceptional Communicator and Trust Builder - The candidate must be skilled at engaging employees, City leadership, elected officials, airlines, tenants, federal partners, regional institutions, community partners, and the public with clarity, transparency, and respect. They should be visible, approachable, and able to explain complex decisions, communicate a clear big-picture vision to staff for execution, and maintain trust across operational and community stakeholders.
• Proven Manager of People and Resources - The candidate should have a track record of leading large, diverse teams in complex organizations, with significant leadership experience in airport management or aviation administration at a commercial-service airport. They must inspire accountability, respect airport-specific expertise, support career development, build strong teams, improve workplace culture, and foster collaboration. Strong financial, budgetary, procurement, federal and state funding, grant management, and revenue-stream management skills are essential to guide long-term investments.
• Aviation, Security, and Regulatory Expertise - Success in this role requires a solid grounding in commercial-service airport operations, airport planning, FAA and TSA requirements, emergency management, risk mitigation, environmental compliance, airfield and facility maintenance, airport finance, lease management, concessions, capital planning, and the operational requirements needed to protect safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic and Vision-Oriented Leader - Beyond day-to-day operations, the ideal candidate must be capable of positioning ELP for growth, modernization, and long-term competitiveness. They should advance sustainable air service and new routes, strengthen airline and tenant relationships, generate revenue, improve customer experience, champion innovation and operational excellence, and align airport strategy with economic development and regional mobility.
• Experienced Capital, Facilities, and Planning Executive - The candidate should bring demonstrated experience overseeing capital projects, facilities, infrastructure improvements, master planning, infrastructure lifecycle management, long-range facility development, and sustainability initiatives. They should be able to connect infrastructure decisions to safety, compliance, passenger experience, operational reliability, economic development, and the airport’s long-term competitiveness.
• Community-Focused and Politically Aware - The candidate must be able to work in a highly visible municipal environment and balance the needs of City leadership, elected officials, employees, airlines, tenants, passengers, public safety partners, Fort Bliss, Destination El Paso, economic development organizations, community institutions, and the broader binational region.
• Adaptive Problem-Solver with High Emotional Intelligence - Stakeholders want a leader who is collaborative, proactive, humble, approachable, transparent, and willing to take thoughtful strategic risks. The ideal leader demonstrates integrity, steadiness under pressure, data-informed decision-making, customer-service orientation, and the ability to unite diverse groups around shared goals.
• Balanced Background in Government and Airport Business - The desired candidate combines proven public-sector management experience with deep aviation business knowledge. This balance ensures they can navigate municipal processes while making timely, informed decisions about safety, finance, operations, development, air service, lease management, concessions, sustainability, and service.

General Information

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range is $250,000 - $270,000 annually. The benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, paid time off, holidays, parental and shared leave, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, and retirement benefits. Optional benefits include a Health Savings Account, deferred compensation 457(b) plan, tuition assistance, training and certification resources, and other programs. Visit elpasotexas.gov/careers/benefits/ to learn more about the City's employee benefits.

Relocation assistance is subject to City approval and will be addressed with the successful candidate.

How to Apply

To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by July 21, 2026. To apply, you must submit an application, a comprehensive resume, and a cover letter online at www.GovHRjobs.com . We recommend that those who are interested apply early in the process for optimum consideration. For the recruitment brochure, click here.

Confidential inquiries may be directed to Rodney Crain, MGT Senior Consultant, at Tel: (847) 380-3240, x154.

Determined by agreement

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

City of El Paso

915-212-1244 Show more