About the Role

The Port Authority is seeking an experienced, energetic, strategic, innovative, and results-oriented leader to fill a critical position on the Aviation Department Strategy team. Reporting to the Deputy Director, Aviation Business, Strategy, and Finance, this position leads several key strategic functions, including government affairs, industry relations, regulatory and legislative affairs, aviation policy, air service development, airline relations, and slot administration. The Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of business strategies that achieve department and agency goals and advance the Aviation Department’s business agenda and strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

Industry, Regulatory, and Legislative Affairs: Manage relationships and coordination with regulatory agencies, key industry organizations, and trade associations to advance Port Authority goals and strategies. Serve as designated point of contact for several policy-related matters and regularly interface with officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US Department of Transportation (USDOT), and other federal agencies. Support other subject matter experts in the Aviation Department’s Strategy, Operations, Commercial, and Customer Experience units, as well as the airport General Managers.

Aviation Policy & Strategic Initiatives: Lead strategy and policy development for the department by coordinating the technical and planning components necessary to advocate for the best interests of the Port Authority. Coordinate with airports, external agencies, and other partners on a variety of long range/economic studies and policy/industry issues to advance the department’s business and strategy agenda. Actively participate in national and international policy forums to shape aviation policy and seek leadership roles with various trade association committees (e.g. AAAE and ACI-NA). Provide advisory support and technical assistance to address operational matters related to airport demand, capacity, and slot limits.

Communications: Develop and manage an array of internal and external communications to advance the department’s strategic priorities, including developing complex policy positions for executive leadership, leading the development of legislative affairs information documents, preparing and overseeing comments and responses to Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, and other matters handled on the Federal Register.

Airport Access and Slot Administration: Oversee the implementation of policies and strategies to maintain competition at Port Authority airports for the benefit of the traveling public. Ensure effective coordination with FAA Slot Office, airport management, airlines, terminal operators, and federal partners to ensure equitable access aligned with airfield and terminal capacity. Represent the Port Authority at slot, routes, and other key industry conferences (domestic and international) to advance Port Authority priorities and facilitate coordination for slots and air service.

Air Service Strategy & Airline Relations: Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to support the acquisition and retention of air service at Port Authority airports, including strategic marketing of air service development opportunities with airlines and partnerships with local government and community groups to attract new air service. Manage ongoing relations with airlines related to access and service to facilitate operational and business coordination.

Leadership: This position manages the Air Service Development Manager, who has direct responsibility for airport access and slot administration, air service strategy, and airline relations. The Manager also provides guidance to and receives support from a Senior Policy Analyst, who supports the Strategy team more broadly and assists with legislative analysis, industry outreach, and data analysis.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must present the following qualifications to be considered eligible for this position:

• At least 10 years of relevant business strategy, policy, government/industry relations, air service development, operations, or business/economic analysis in the aviation industry, or in other transportation or public service sectors.

Desired Qualifications

Ideal candidates will present the following profile:

• Masters Degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Significant experience in developing complex, enterprise-level strategies and implementation plans to meet goals, improve processes, and achieve business innovation.
• Demonstrated success in navigating a complex organization’s structure, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated proficiency in effectively persuading, influencing and negotiating with individuals at all levels of the organization to achieve desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate collaboration, teamwork, and creativity to solve problems in a cross-functional, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated experience organizing a demanding workload with the ability to work in a high-pressure environment with multiple tasks due in a tight timeframe.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability in dealing effectively with Executive level staff, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to establish comprehensive, detailed plans with specific timelines, milestones, and deliverables necessary to meet or exceed project goals.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Strong, proven oral and written presentation skills.

Selection Process

The application process varies by position, but typically includes an initial phone interview for qualified candidates, followed by a more in-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s). Selected candidates who are made a conditional job offer will be asked to undergo a background check.

Compensation & Benefits

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers a competitive benefits package, hybrid work options for many positions, and a professional environment that supports development and recognizes achievement.

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