Director, Airport Planning

Metropolitan Airports Commission • Minneapolis, MN

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Airport Planning plays a key leadership role in shaping the future of Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and the Reliever Airports. Reporting to the Vice President of Planning and Development, this position leads the strategy, vision, and execution of long-term airport planning that drives innovation, enhances passenger experience, and supports Minnesota’s continued growth. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking planning professional to guide major initiatives, from master plans and airport layout plans to environmental review and zoning processes, while collaborating with a wide network of partners including MAC departments, airport tenants, regional agencies, and federal aviation stakeholders. The Director will inspire and develop a talented planning team, champion continuous improvement, and ensure planning efforts align with near-term development priorities and long-term strategic goals. The successful candidate will bring both technical expertise and visionary leadership, helping set planning priorities, shape capital improvement program decisions, and modernize how MAC approaches airport planning. If you’re energized by leading complex, meaningful work that impacts millions of travelers and strengthens regional infrastructure, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Planning, Airport, Urban, Environmental, Regional or City Planning, Engineering, Architecture or a related field.
• Ten years of airport planning experience for both large-hub and general aviation airports including comprehensive plans as well as Airport Layout Plans (ALPs).
• In lieu of a degree, fourteen years of airport planning experience for both large-hub and general aviation airports including comprehensive plans as well as Airport Layout Plans (ALPs).
• Experience in project management establishing plans, setting priorities, coordinating activities, delegating tasks, and managing resources.
• Experience managing and supervising direct reports which included responsibility for hiring, disciplining, coaching, rewarding and terminating employees.
• Experience managing and directing consultants and/or contractors
• Experience with reviewing and developing approvable FAA forecast documents.
• Experience working with community development, zoning ordinances and boards.
• Intermediate skill using Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience with AutoCAD, GIS, SIMMOD, Path Planner or similar programs; and possess an understanding of the appropriate level of graphic support needed to convey ideas, alternatives, and general information to the public.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including experience with effective presentations to large groups.
• Valid state driver’s license and reliable vehicle to commute between job sites.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Aviation Planning, Airport Planning and Management, Urban, Regional or City
• Familiarity with aviation databases, including FAA Aviation Systems Performance Measures, FAA’s Official Airline Guide, Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring Systems, and other federal/state database systems.
• Pilot/air traffic movement experience for hub and general aviation airports.
• Experience with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) rules, processes, and recent updates.
• Private Pilot’s License
• Experience with airport funding and revenue streams.
• Knowledge of annual capital improvement programming.
• Knowledge of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations and guidelines.
• Experience with PFC applications, including eligibility and project justifications.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains MAC vision for all planning efforts and provides direction to planning staff to provide consistent work products and services for all seven of the MAC airports.
• Integrate MAC’s mission, vision, values and strategic goals into all areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for the growth and development of other planning staff members and ensuring all planning products created by other planners meet MAC organizational goals and objectives.
• Oversight and responsibility for approving airport planning projects and documents, project scopes, project budgets and project schedules, including airport zoning processes.
• Oversight and responsibility for airport planning consultants, consultant contracts, assigning work to planning staff, approving project scopes and fees, and reviewing/approving consultant invoices.
• Direct oversight of long-term plans/master plans and airport layout plans and all other planning documents; ensure other planning staff members are managing these projects according to the MAC planning vision.
• Direct and manage state airport safety zoning and variance processes.
• Direct environmental review processes/projects managed by other planning staff for facility development.
• Direct the execution of presentation content development and hold project team meetings with stakeholders, MAC staff, airlines airport tenants and consultants to review projects and keep them updated and informed as projects move through schedules and phases.
• Serve as the MAC primary liaison with appropriate regulatory agencies, cities, counties, and the state in compliance with FAA/MnDOT criteria, rules and standards.
• Demonstrate creativity, foresight and mature judgment in anticipating and solving unpredictable problems.
• Remain current on trends in airport planning, development and the aviation industry.
• Coordinate with Airport Development staff to develop a vision for MAC planning documents, provide input and coordinate both short and long-term goals for development.
• Collaborate closely with the Reliever Airport Department staff to coordinate projects and timing, ensuring both short and long-term goals and needs are addressed in planning documents.
• Coordinate with the Director of Stakeholder Engagement for public outreach strategies, processes and meetings; notices; project newsletters; and presentation materials.
• Work closely with the Revenue and Business Development Department to review goals and opportunities for non-aeronautical development at MSP and at the Relievers.
• Engage the Airport Development Directors and Integrated Operations staff to consider airfield and facility changes from existing planning documents and plans.
• Work with the day-to-day Terminal and Facilities Operations staff for data collection and collaboration, strategies for both short- and long-term management of passenger flows, sharing of airport plan forecasts and passenger modeling.
• Act as a planning resource for other MAC departments and airport tenants to ensure the planning vision continues to be implemented.
• Participate as a member of the Planning and Development management leadership team.
• Participate in the development of the annual capital improvements program to ensure short and long-term planning priorities are addressed.
• Prepare and manage the annual Planning operational budget.
• Understand and review updates to FAA, Metropolitan Council and MnDOT documents related to regional planning, Advisory Circulars, zoning ordinances, local building and zoning codes and compatibility guidelines.
• Review and provide guidance to the Department of updates to federal, state and regional (Metropolitan Council) rules and regulations pertaining to airport management, aviation planning principles and standards, and Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 139 certified airports.
• Review and provide comment for the annual draft Terminal Area Forecasts prepared by the FAA.
• Provide effective credible representation of the division’s activities to the public, airport users, airport tenants, consultants, and when necessary, the committee structure of the Commission.
• Conduct reviews of local city, county, and township comprehensive plan updates and coordinate MAC participation and responses when required.
• Participate in regional planning processes as a MAC representative, when required.
• Incorporate the goals, objectives and operating philosophy of the Commission into the management of daily activities.
• Facilitate the selection of consultants for planning work in accordance with the Commission’s Consultants’ Selection and Use Policy, including preparation and/or review of requests for qualification statements from interested consulting firms, participate in the review of qualification statements and interviews, and make recommendations to the Vice President – Planning and Development.
• Lead and coordinate the airport planning continuing consultant annual performance reviews.
• Facilitate effective working relationships among division employees, and between the Planning Business Unit and other MAC departments, consultants and other agencies.
• Collaborate with the Airport Development Department and the Air Service Department on gate plots and simulations for aircraft movements and passenger flows for MSP.
• Participate in the Division’s implementation of relevant elements of the MAC Sustainable Management Plan.
• Supervise and direct the operations and activities of the department; establish department goals in accordance with the department's mission, the MAC Human Resources Policy and the MAC Administration Manual.
• Create and maintain a rewarding and productive work environment; and provide opportunities for employee growth and development.
• Integrate MAC's purpose, values, focus areas, and strategic goals into area of responsibility and management of daily activities.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to interview and hire appropriate staff for new or vacant positions.
• Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with staff to communicate organizational goals, issues, and information to employees; discuss work activities, individual goals and gather employee feedback.
• Communicate clear performance expectations and standards to direct report employees, provide timely and regular feedback, conduct annual performance reviews, and recognize employee achievement.
• Facilitate effective working relationships among department employees, and between Airport Development and other MAC departments, consultants, and other agencies.
• Hear and address employee issues/concerns; administer disciplinary action, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure current and future effective staff utilization through hiring, promoting, transferring, and discharging employees.
• Proactively support a safe working environment.

Benefits

• MAC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If an accommodation is required for you to participate in the application process because of a disability, please contact Tekia Jefferson at 612-726-8196 or [email protected] .
• MAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, nationality, or disability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director