EVP & CCO

Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust•Tulsa, OK

20h

About The Position

The Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer (EVP & CCO) is responsible for leading, developing, and executing all aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue-generating and business development activities for the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT). This role provides executive leadership for air service development; marketing, communications, and public relations; strategic brand development and customer engagement; concessions and contract programs; and airport real estate and business development. The EVP & CCO must be an energetic, innovative, and results-driven leader with demonstrated success in revenue development, strategic execution, and people leadership. This individual serves as a senior advocate and brand ambassador for TAIT, bringing strong negotiation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to influence across organizational, governmental, military, and private-sector environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, Marketing, Strategic Communications, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field required.
Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in air service development, business development, airport commercial management, or a closely related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of management experience, including responsibility for budgets, team leadership, and complex programs or projects.
Ability to lead and develop teams in a collaborative, performance-oriented culture.
Working knowledge of FAA regulations, public procurement principles, and airport commercial best practices.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
Ability to read, interpret, and synthesize detailed financial, technical, and regulatory information.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills for diverse audiences, including boards and public officials.
Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and visualize data from primary and secondary sources.
Proven negotiation skills and experience drafting and administering complex commercial agreements.
Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with leadership, employees, consultants, legal counsel, public officials, military stakeholders, and community partners.
Strong strategic, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; working knowledge of data analytics and visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
Possession of a valid Oklahoma Class “D” Driver’s License.
Ability to pass FBI fingerprint-based criminal history checks and all required pre-employment screenings.
Ability to obtain and maintain required airport security credentials, including a SIDA badge.
Availability to respond to after-hours emergencies and irregular airport operations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
Experience in the public sector, airport, or regulated environment is strongly preferred.
Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.), U.S. Airport Professional (U.S.A.P.), or International Airport Professional (IAP) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and contribute to organization-wide planning, budgeting, and decision-making.
Keep the CEO informed of critical issues, risks, and opportunities affecting commercial performance.
Develop and oversee the division’s annual operating budget and provide input into capital improvement programs and major maintenance operating expenses planning.
Establish benchmarks to measure team and program performance.
Prepare and deliver presentations and reports to the Board of Trustees and other internal and external stakeholders.
Act within delegated authority to ensure TAIT policies, objectives, and governance principles are consistently applied.
Be responsive to airport emergencies and situations that may involve loss of human life or property; support public safety and operational response to emergencies; utilize National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols and procedures; coordinate and/or participate in after-action emergency de-briefing with appropriate departments and stakeholders.
Develop and implement strategies to grow and diversify aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues in support of TAIT’s Strategic Plan and Annual Business Plan.
Establish realistic yet aggressive performance metrics for real estate, marketing, concessions, and air service development functions; track progress and evaluate results.
Produce sustainable, diversified revenue streams through innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement while maintaining compliance with public trust and FAA requirements.
Identify and evaluate opportunities for non-traditional funding sources, including public-private partnerships, where appropriate.
Directly plan, implement, and oversee all air service development activities.
Develop and execute an annual air service development strategic work plan.
Perform and coordinate ongoing market analysis to support air service retention and expansion, including evaluation of fares, schedules, capacity, and airline network trends.
Develop and maintain productive relationships with incumbent and prospective airline network planners.
Function as a liaison among airline partners, the CEO, Board, and key community stakeholders.
Manage air service incentive policies and consultant relationships, as applicable, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Direct airport real estate leasing, property management, and business development activities in alignment with the Airport Layout Plan and military coordination requirements.
Oversee concessions, contracts, and lease negotiations, ensuring sound financial performance and adherence to procurement and public accountability standards.
Collaborate with legal counsel, economic developers, and real estate professionals on complex commercial transactions and development projects.
Provide executive oversight of marketing, communications, and public relations strategies that advance TAIT’s brand and strategic objectives.
Ensure marketing and communications efforts remain on brand, within budget, and aligned with air service and revenue goals.
Foster cooperative marketing initiatives with airlines, tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, and economic development partners.
Oversee customer engagement strategies and programs designed to enhance passenger, tenant, and community experience.