Deputy Airport Manager - Operations (HPN)

White Plains, Help Lead One of the New York Region's Premier Airports!

Avports is seeking an experienced and strategic aviation leader to serve as Deputy Airport Manager – Operations at Westchester County Airport (HPN).

Reporting directly to the Airport Manager, this executive leadership position is responsible for directing airport operations, safety and security, emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, operational readiness, and critical airport infrastructure activities. The Deputy Airport Manager plays a key role in shaping airport strategy, leading operational teams, supporting capital projects, and maintaining strong partnerships with airlines, tenants, regulators, government agencies, and community stakeholders. Essential Job Functions Airport Operations & Regulatory Compliance

Direct daily airport operations and irregular operations 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Provide executive oversight of Airside Operations, Landside Operations, Airline Services, Public Safety & Security, Environmental, Facilities, and Field Maintenance. Establish operational priorities that balance safety, customer service, regulatory compliance, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. Oversee compliance with FAA Part 139, TSA Part 1542, the Airport Certification Manual (ACM), the Airport Security Program (ASP), the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, the Brownfield Cleanup Program, and related regulatory programs.

Leadership & Organizational Management

Develop and implement airport operational strategies, policies, performance objectives, and organizational initiatives. Lead management, supervisory, union, and non-union personnel within assigned operational functions. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and customer service excellence. Act on behalf of the Airport Manager when delegated and coordinate with the Deputy Airport Manager – Administration on airport-wide priorities.

Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Lead airport emergency preparedness, tabletop exercises, full-scale exercises, business continuity activities, and NIMS/ICS implementation. Direct operational responses to emergencies, security events, severe weather, irregular operations, and other critical incidents. Coordinate with FAA, TSA, CBP, CDC, USDA, NYSDEC, NYCDEP, emergency responders, tenants, airlines, consultants, contractors, and County departments.

Capital Programs, Facilities & Operational Readiness

Provide executive oversight for operational components of the Airport Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Establish project priorities and operational requirements during planning, design, construction, commissioning, and transition to operations. Support Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) planning for terminal modernization and major capital projects. Oversee the operational readiness of airport facilities, airfield infrastructure, vehicles, equipment, and related assets.

Financial & Administrative Management

Collaborate with the Deputy Airport Manager – Administration to align operational priorities with approved budgets and long-term financial plans. Monitor operational performance, resource use, expenditures, and key performance indicators. Prepare reports, analyses, briefings, and operational documentation for the Airport Manager, County representatives, regulatory agencies, and company leadership.

Tenant, Government & Stakeholder Relations

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with airlines, tenants, regulators, elected officials, labor organizations, emergency responders, contractors, and community stakeholders. Represent the airport professionally in meetings, inspections, exercises, and stakeholder engagements. Support responsive communication and coordinated decision-making across airport departments and partner organizations.

Additional Responsibilities

Act on behalf of the Airport Manager when delegated in operational and administrative matters. Represent Avports professionally and ethically in all business dealings. Perform other duties assigned by the Airport Manager or senior management in support of airport operations and contractual obligations.

Core Competencies

Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and engage employees while fostering accountability, teamwork, and high performance. Effectively balances customer, employee, and operational needs by monitoring workloads, resolving issues, and promoting employee commitment and retention. Adapts leadership style to business needs by providing coaching, guidance, delegation, and support to achieve desired outcomes. Establishes clear performance expectations, aligns individual and team goals, and delivers constructive coaching and feedback to improve results. Ability to lead through change, ambiguity, and complex challenges by creating clarity, managing priorities, and driving accountability. Demonstrates sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills while anticipating business needs and implementing effective solutions. Build trust, credibility, and collaborative relationships while promoting alignment with organizational goals and company values. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including active listening, stakeholder engagement, and customer service. Skilled in managing conflict, supporting change initiatives, and adapting to evolving business priorities. Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, accountability, teamwork, and a strong sense of urgency. Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and PowerPoint. Ability to leverage data, reports, and performance metrics to support decision-making and operational effectiveness. Intermediate proficiency in department-specific software, systems, and business applications preferred.

Required Skills & Qualifications Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Airport Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field. Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible airport management experience, including at least five (5) years in senior leadership. Demonstrated experience directing airport operations, safety, security, maintenance, environmental compliance, emergency management, and regulatory programs. Demonstrated knowledge of FAA Part 139, TSA Part 1542, airport certification, airport security, and aviation safety requirements. Experience supporting capital improvement programs, construction coordination, commissioning, or operational readiness preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, & Eligibility

AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) required or must be obtained within an agreed timeframe; ACE Operations or ACE Security certification preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid local driver’s license. Must obtain and maintain all company and airport access, security, credentialing, training, and certification requirements necessary to perform assigned duties.

Work Authorization & Travel Requirements

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Must be eligible to travel domestically, including occasional overnight stays and off-site training as needed. Must comply with applicable corporate, airport, and secure-area access requirements.

Work Environment, Physical Demands & Requirements

Work is performed in active airport environments, including terminals, maintenance facilities, airfield ramps, aircraft service areas, runways, and administrative offices. Regularly exposed to varying weather conditions, elevated noise levels, jet blast, moving aircraft, vehicles, heavy equipment, and other airport operational hazards. Requires frequent movement throughout airport facilities and operational areas to provide leadership, oversight, inspections, stakeholder engagement, and emergency support. May require standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, navigating uneven surfaces, and lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying equipment and materials weighing up to and exceeding 10 pounds. Requires sufficient visual acuity, depth perception, peripheral vision, and hearing to safely operate vehicles, observe airfield conditions, and respond to emergencies. Required personal protective equipment must be worn when accessing designated operational, airside, or restricted areas. Must maintain situational awareness and exercise sound judgment to support airport safety, security, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance. Must be available to support business and operational needs outside normal business hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, on-call assignments, and emergency activations. Regular use of computers, mobile devices, reporting systems, and office equipment is required. This job description is not intended to list every duty, responsibility, or working condition. Duties and requirements may change at any time, with or without notice.

Applies to all team members, including those represented by a labor union or bargaining unit. If any part conflicts with a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA will take precedence. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Consistent with those requirements, the Company will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Compensation & Benefits Overview Benefits may include:

Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance options Life and AD&D Insurance Supplemental Insurance Plan options 401(k) Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan Vacation and Sick Leave Paid Company Holidays Professional development opportunities