Chief Executive Officer of the Division of Aviation

Raftelis•Philadelphia, PA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia is seeking a dynamic, visionary executive to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aviation (the Department), overseeing Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE). As a member of the Mayor's Cabinet, the CEO reports directly to the Mayor and operates at the intersection of municipal government, commercial enterprise, and federal regulatory compliance, making this one of the most complex and consequential airport leadership roles in the country. The CEO is charged with planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all airport functions and activities for both facilities. This includes setting the strategic direction for the Department, representing the City in all airport-related matters, and driving business and commercial development initiatives that keep PHL and PNE competitive and visitor-friendly. The Department operates both airports as commercial enterprises to the greatest extent feasible under City ownership, meaning the CEO must balance the discipline of a private sector operator with the accountability of public sector governance. The airports are subject to extensive federal regulation by the FAA, TSA, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bureau of Aviation Regulation, and the CEO must be equally fluent in navigating those relationships as in driving internal operational excellence. The CEO oversees a department of approximately 800 to 950 FTEs, comprising both exempt and union employees across 24/7 operations. Direct reports include a Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Operating Officer, among others. This is an always-on leadership environment that demands an executive who is present, decisive, and unflappable in a crisis.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in aviation management, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.
Seven years of progressively responsible experience in airport management.
At least three years in a senior leadership role at a major commercial airport.
Thorough knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing civil airport operations—including FAA, TSA, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requirements.
Demonstrated experience in commercial development, infrastructure planning, and airline negotiations.
Must establish residency within the City of Philadelphia within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in a related field.
Executive leadership coursework.
Relevant professional certifications.
Direct experience managing a large commercial service airport—including domestic and international passenger and cargo operations.
Demonstrated record of driving operational performance and capital project delivery in a complex, unionized, 24/7 environment.

Responsibilities

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of terminal energy systems and identify opportunities for optimization, cost reduction, and long-term sustainability, while advancing the Department's established sustainability goals and positioning PHL as a leader in environmentally responsible airport operations.
Build and sustain a productive working relationship with the FAA to address airfield pavement conditions, resolve outstanding compliance requirements, and proactively manage the regulatory obligations associated with operating a major commercial service airport under federal oversight.
Ensure full and ongoing compliance with FAA and TSA regulations across all airport operations, establishing internal systems, accountability structures, and staff training that keep both PHL and PNE consistently audit-ready and operationally sound.
Evaluate expansion opportunities at PHL and PNE with a data-driven, long-range lens, engaging airline partners, the Mayor's Office, and key stakeholders to assess feasibility, advance master planning efforts, and position the airports for future growth in passenger and cargo capacity.
Launch and grow a robust workforce development program that invests in employees at every level, strengthens the Department's talent pipeline, and builds a culture of learning, advancement, and engagement across both exempt and union classifications.
Advance the Department's sustainability commitments by setting measurable goals, tracking progress transparently, and integrating sustainable practices into capital planning, procurement, and daily operations in alignment with the City of Philadelphia's broader environmental priorities.