Director, Terminal Business Development
About The Position
Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals: Advance Airport Development, Transform the Customer Experience, Optimize Ongoing Business, Cultivate Our Culture. Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world. The Revenue division is looking for a Director, Terminal Business Development with a strategic, forward-thinking focus on enhancing and optimizing commercial performance, passenger experience, and long-term value across the airport’s terminal environment. This role is responsible for shaping and executing in-terminal revenue and concession strategies within SAN’s highly active and dynamic airport campus. SAN is entering a pivotal period of terminal transformation, balancing active operations with major redevelopment. The Director, Terminal Business Development will shape how passengers experience the terminal environment during change – ensuring commercial programs remain lucrative, resilient, and financially strong while positioning the airport for long-term growth. The Director, Terminal Business Development oversees comprehensive revenue management programs and teams, that include concessions, leasing, and in-terminal commercial assets while partnering closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to maintain continuity across active terminal operations and deliver thoughtful, data-informed outcomes. The ideal candidate will be energized by complexity, grounded in sound judgment, and committed to leading a high-performing team with clarity and trust—helping shape how SAN evolves during a pivotal moment of growth while translating constraints into strategies that deliver lasting value for passengers, partners, and the region.
Requirements
- Eight years of progressively responsible business development, real estate management or commercial leasing experience, at least five of which were in a supervisory or program management capacity, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business or public administration, real estate, finance, architecture, construction management, or a closely related field.
- Strategic Execution— Develops and executes strategies that advance organizational goals while balancing commercial performance, customer experience, operational realities, and long-term stewardship.
- Change Leadership— Leads through periods of change by anticipating impacts, navigating ambiguity, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and adapting strategies as conditions evolve.
- Influence & Stakeholder Partnership — Builds trusted relationships and uses influence to align diverse stakeholders, resolve competing priorities, and advance outcomes through collaboration.
- Communication— Communicates complex ideas clearly and effectively across audiences, including internal teams, external partners, executive leadership, and governing bodies.
- People Leadership & Emotional Intelligence — Leads with self-awareness, empathy, and accountability; sets clear expectations, fosters constructive dialogue, and builds a high-performing, engaged team culture.
- Decision Quality — Makes sound, timely decisions grounded in data, experience, and judgment, considering risk, tradeoffs, and downstream impacts in a public-serving environment.
- Integrity & Public Stewardship — Demonstrates discretion, ethical judgment, and respect for confidentiality while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and public accountability standards.
Nice To Haves
- Professional certification such as Accredited Airport Executive (AAAE), Certified Member (CM), or Airports Council International (ACI), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Concession Manager (CCM) credential.
- Real Estate License or demonstrated experience in commercial real estate, leasing, or land-use strategy.
Responsibilities
- Set Commercial Strategy: Lead customer-centric, data-informed strategies that optimize in-terminal revenue, passenger experience and long-term asset value.
- Lead through Change: Guide commercial outcomes during active terminal re-development (New Terminal 1 Phase B, Terminal 2 West and East), adapting strategies to sequencing, space constraints and operational realities.
- Oversee Revenue Programs: Direct in-terminal food and beverage, retail, leasing and other commercial assets to drive performance, continuity and innovation.
- Govern Assets and Align Policy: Establish and administer policies for commercial assets and real estate, aligning development priorities across the department and tenants.
- Execute Transactions: Oversee complex leases, easements, and agreements in compliance with Authority and regulatory requirements.
- Partner & Influence: Serve as a trusted advisor to internal leaders, concessionaires, tenants and external partners.
- Build the Team: Lead, develop and retain a high-performing team grounded in accountability, trust and professional growth.
- Strategic Leadership: Develops and executes departmental customer-centric strategies aligned with organizational vision, revenue objectives and measurable outcomes.
- Financial Stewardship: Directs department budgeting and establishes work practices to support strategic priorities and operational effectiveness.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and internal policies across all departmental activities.
Benefits
- 14 paid holidays
- 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO)
- parental and child care benefits
- salary continuance for family & parental leave
- tuition reimbursement
- auto allowance
- retirement plan options that include a choice between our comprehensive pension plan or a 401(a) defined contribution plan, with the option to add a 457(b) deferred compensation plan and retirement health reimbursement account.
- annual employer-funded Executive Wellness Incentive of up to $2,000
- multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes
- outdoor working areas
- fitness discounts for all levels and goals
- monthly fruit deliveries
- rewards for volunteer time
- financial wellness advisors
- campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
