VP, Airport Affairs & Business Development

CLEAR - Corporate•New York, NY

29d•$200,000 - $230,000•Onsite

About The Position

Have you ever had that green-light feeling? When you hit every green light and the day just feels like magic. CLEAR's mission is to create frictionless experiences where every day has that feeling. With more than 30+ million passionate members and hundreds of partners around the world, CLEAR’s identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel. Whether it’s at the airport, stadium, or right on your phone, CLEAR connects you to the things that make you, you - unlocking easier, more secure, and more seamless experiences - making them all feel like magic. The VP, Airport Affairs & Business Development leads CLEAR’s airport growth strategy and serves as the company’s senior ambassador across the aviation ecosystem. This role defines market priorities, builds and converts a high-value airport pipeline, and owns the full partnership lifecycle from outreach and relationship development through RFPs, commercial modeling, negotiation, and operational handoff. The VP elevates CLEAR’s presence with airport, aviation, and regulatory leaders and monitors industry trends to anticipate risks and drive long-range growth.

Requirements

10+ years of progressively senior experience in airport affairs, corporate real estate, aviation business development, or related fields with deep familiarity navigating airport authorities, airline stakeholders, and government entities.
Extensive experience negotiating complex commercial agreements, including airport leases, operating agreements, and multi-party partnership structures.
Recognized thought leader and trusted advisor with a track record of representing your organization in front of government agencies, regulatory bodies, and senior aviation stakeholders.
Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to assert a point of view while maintaining diplomacy, political acumen, and strong long-term relationships.
Highly proficient in executive-ready communication tools, including PowerPoint, advanced Excel, and Google Workspace; able to develop clear, data-backed narratives and decision materials.
Outstanding verbal and written communication abilities, with aptitude for influencing at the executive level and collaborating effectively across functions and geographies.
Proven ability to manage and prioritize a diverse portfolio of initiatives, operating with urgency, sound judgment, and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 75%, including to airports, regulatory meetings, and industry events.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (e.g., MBA, MPA, JD).

Responsibilities

Define and lead CLEAR’s airport commercial strategy including market prioritization, assessment of partnership models, competitive landscape analysis, and long-range planning to expand CLEAR’s footprint and deepen existing relationships.
Build, drive, and convert CLEAR’s airport growth pipeline by identifying high-value opportunities and proactively engaging, educating, and influencing senior airport, aviation, and regulatory stakeholders.
Serve as CLEAR’s executive representative across the aviation ecosystem, including industry events, regulatory forums, airport leadership meetings, and partner engagements, to elevate the brand, shape policy discussions, and advance strategic priorities.
Own the full airport partnership lifecycle from initial outreach and relationship development through RFP management, commercial modeling, deal negotiation, contract execution, and handoff into operations.
Establish best-in-class partnership infrastructure and governance, ensuring consistent communication, data sharing, performance management, and joint planning frameworks that strengthen ongoing airport relationships.
Collaborate closely with CLEAR’s operations leadership to support stakeholder conversations, champion airport partner needs, and ensure CLEAR delivers exceptional and reliable member experiences as airport environments evolve.
Monitor trends, risks, and shifts in aviation and airports, identifying potential impacts to CLEAR’s business and developing proactive mitigation and adaptation strategies.