GovHRUSA
The City of El Paso, TX (pop. 684,500) seeks a highly qualified, collaborative Aviation Director to lead El Paso International Airport operations, including business and finance, maintenance, air service development, capital improvements, and long-range planning. Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, this executive role oversees approximately 237 FTEs.
The Director will help advance El Paso International Airport as a gateway to West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico by strengthening air service, guiding modernization, maintaining FAA and TSA compliance, generating revenue, supporting Foreign-Trade Zone 68, and fostering an informed, respected, and accountable workforce.
The City of El Paso (Pop. 683,012) is a full-service Council-Manager municipality known as the Sun City. Framed by the Franklin Mountains and connected to New Mexico and Mexico, El Paso offers rich history, culture, food, arts, outdoor recreation, regional influence, and a welcoming community identity.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Public or Aviation Administration or a related field, plus eight (8) years of professional airport administration or operations experience, including four (4) years as a manager.
A valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state is required by date of appointment. Residency within the City of El Paso city limits is required by date of employment. The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check, maintain federally mandated airport security clearance, and be available for emergency recall and extended hours as needed.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Plan, organize, and direct airport operations, including airline and tenant matters, business and real estate issues, and FAA-required safety and security operations.
- Plan, develop, and monitor long-term facility plans for airport, aviation, and industrial properties.
- Oversee airport and airfield maintenance programs and promote safe work practices.
- Oversee strategic marketing and air service plans, expand airport usage, and negotiate agreements that support regional economic impact.
- Evaluate service delivery, administrative, control, security, and internal systems; recommend improvements to operations and customer service.
- Set work priorities, monitor progress, manage operating and capital budgets, and approve purchases and expenditures.
- Respond to complex inquiries and complaints, including requests from City leadership, Council, federal agencies, and department directors.
- Represent the City in meetings and conferences with officials, regulators, tenants, departments, coworkers, and the public.
- Apply knowledge of FAA Part 107, pilot certification, CoWAs, BVLOS, airspace risk management, and UAS recordkeeping while integrating UAS operations with airport safety, security, and economic development goals.
Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, discipline, and recommendations for hiring, promotion, termination or other employee status changes.
The City is seeking an Ideal Candidate with these key competencies:
- Exceptional Communicator and Trust Builder – Engages employees, City leaders, elected officials, airlines, tenants, partners, and the public with clarity, transparency, and respect. Visible and approachable, with the ability to explain complex decisions, share a clear vision, and build trust.
- Proven Manager of People and Resources – Leads large, diverse teams in complex aviation or airport settings. Inspires accountability, supports staff development, strengthens culture, and brings strong financial, budgetary, procurement, funding, grant, and revenue management skills.
- Aviation, Security, and Regulatory Expertise – Brings strong knowledge of commercial-service airport operations, planning, FAA and TSA requirements, emergency management, risk mitigation, environmental compliance, maintenance, finance, leases, concessions, capital planning, safety, and security.
- Strategic and Vision-Oriented Leader – Positions ELP for growth, modernization, and long-term competitiveness by advancing air service, strengthening airline and tenant relationships, generating revenue, improving customer experience, and aligning airport strategy with regional mobility and economic development.
- Experienced Capital, Facilities, and Planning Executive – Oversees capital projects, facilities, infrastructure, master planning, lifecycle management, long-range development, and sustainability while connecting infrastructure decisions to safety, compliance, passenger experience, reliability, economic development, and competitiveness.
- Community-Focused and Politically Aware – Works effectively in a visible municipal environment while balancing the needs of City leadership, elected officials, employees, airlines, tenants, passengers, public safety partners, Fort Bliss, Destination El Paso, economic development organizations, community institutions, and the binational region.
- Adaptive Problem-Solver with High Emotional Intelligence – Collaborative, proactive, humble, approachable, and transparent, with integrity, steadiness under pressure, data-informed judgment, customer-service focus, and the ability to unite stakeholders around shared goals.
- Balanced Background in Government and Airport Business – Combines public-sector management experience with aviation business expertise to navigate municipal processes and make sound decisions across safety, finance, operations, development, air service, leases, concessions, sustainability, and service.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range is $250,000.00 – $270,000.00 annually. The benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, paid time off, holidays, parental and shared leave, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, and retirement benefits. Optional benefits include a Health Savings Account, deferred compensation 457(b) plan, tuition assistance, training and certification resources, and other programs. Visit elpasotexas.gov/careers/benefits/ to learn more about the City's employee benefits.
Relocation assistance is negotiable and subject to City approval.
How to Apply
To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by July 21, 2026. To apply, submit a comprehensive resume and a cover letter. We recommend early applications for optimum consideration.
Inquiries may be directed to Rodney Crain, MGT Senior Consultant, at (847) 380-3240, x154.
Application Deadline: July 21, 2026
Posted: 2026-07-06
To apply for this job please visit www.govhrusa.com.