Airport Operations Manager

Salary\: $77,220 - $115,856

Position Grade\: 218M

Department\: Airport

Job Type\: Full-Time (Permanent)

Examination Number\: EX1811

Location\: St. Louis Lambert International Airport

(Employees assigned to St. Louis Lambert International Airport may be eligible for a commuting allowance of $180.00 bi-weekly.)

Incumbents manage the day-to-day operations of the airport to ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the airport's facilities, airfield, terminal, tenants, and operational partners.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities\:

● Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) - Lead planning, coordination, testing, commissioning, operational readiness, stakeholder engagement, and successful transition of new/modified airport facilities into operational service.

● Airport Operations, Safety and Safety Management System (SMS) - Ensure safe, efficient day-to-day airport operations; identify and mitigate operational risks; oversee compliance with airport procedures and regulatory requirements; actively implement and support the SMS, including hazard reporting, risk assessments, investigations, and corrective actions.

● Supervision, Leadership and Workforce Management - Supervise operations personnel, establish priorities, manage schedules and assignments, coach and develop staff, address performance issues, and maintain accountability for operational standards.

● Emergency Management and Operational Continuity - Lead response to operational disruptions, emergencies, incidents, severe weather, security events, and other contingencies while coordinating recovery and maintaining continuity of airport operations and creating standard operating procedures.

● Stakeholder Coordination, Compliance and Continuous Improvement - Coordinate with airlines, TSA, FAA, tenants, contractors, maintenance, public safety, and other stakeholders; maintain required documentation and reporting; identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and customer experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities\:

● Data Utilization\: Requires the ability to audit, assess, and appraise operational data and safety metrics with discretion in interpreting such data against established FAA and internal safety criteria to support informed decision-making under dynamic conditions.

● Human Interaction\: Requires the ability to supervise, persuade, and train subordinate supervisors and staff effectively. Incumbents advise operational partners on policy application and lead coordination efforts during emergency and safety events, demonstrating strong conflict resolution and grievance handling skills.

● Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Use\: Requires proficiency in operating, supervising, and coordinating the use of trucks, cars, snow removal equipment, FOD removal equipment, and radio communication devices to maintain safety and efficiency amid ongoing operations and construction phases.

● Verbal Aptitude\: Requires the ability to interpret and apply FAA regulations and guidelines, operational manuals, emergency response plans, contractor agreements, and communications from the air traffic control tower, ensuring clear and accurate verbal and written communication in a fast-paced environment.

● Mathematical Aptitude\: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and calculate percentages and decimals to manage operational data, incident metrics, resource allocation, and project timelines accurately.

● Functional Reasoning\: Requires the ability to apply principles of supervision, management, planning, coordination, and independent judgment to resolve complex operational problems, manage emergencies, and sustain continuous airport readiness, including assessment and corrective action initiation.

● Situational Reasoning\: Requires sound judgment, decisiveness, and creativity when evaluating situations involving subjective criteria such as safety risks and emergency events where measurable data may be incomplete or evolving, adapting thinking to maintain safety and operational flow.

● Environmental Factors\: Requires the ability to work safely in an airport environment with exposure to heavy machinery, construction zones, emergency situations, and variable weather conditions, managing both physical and mental demands.

● Physical Requirements\: Requires the capacity to occasionally lift, push, or pull equipment or materials consistent with airport operational activities. Physical movements such as stooping, bending, twisting, and climbing are required for routine inspections and emergency responses.

● Sensory Requirements\: Requires acute sensory abilities to recognize and distinguish shapes, objects, and communication sounds essential for situational awareness, operational coordination, and safety monitoring in the airport environment.

Other Requirements\:

● Must be available to work varying shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. Regular shift\: 8 hours Monday to Friday between 6\:00am - 6\:00pm.

● A ten year background investigation will be conducted in accordance with FAA regulations for positions at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.