Salary
$183,244.01 - $256,718.00 Annually
Location
Airport - City of Colorado Springs, CO
Job Type
At-Will Manager
Job Number
17034
Division
Airport
Opening Date
03/17/2025
Closing Date
4/14/2025 4:00 PM Mountain
FLSA
Exempt
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Description / Position Overview
Aviation Director
In this at-will Director position, you will oversee the planning, operation, financing, and development of the general aviation airport serving Colorado Springs. This includes managing both day-to-day operations and long-term development initiatives while ensuring alignment with the Division’s goals. You will lead communication efforts with staff, business partners, and stakeholders, including Peterson Space Force Base, to drive the airport’s success. In this role you will coordinate with local elected officials and community leaders to establish and implement strategic long-term objectives. Additionally, you will work closely with state and federal elected officials and appointees to advocate for the airport’s interests.
Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!
The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is a vibrant, city-owned hub in the heart of Colorado, serving as the primary gateway for the Pikes Peak Region and Southern Colorado. With three runways, COS is the state's second-largest airport, handling nearly 128,000 aircraft operations and 2.5 million passengers annually. Offering stunning views of Pikes Peak, it provides visitors with a warm Colorado welcome and is a key driver of regional economic growth, attracting business, conventions, and tourism. Spanning nearly 7,700 acres, COS is home to diverse business centers, including commercial, corporate, and military aviation, plus the innovative Peak Innovation Park.
Colorado Springs, with a population of 506,646, spans 195 square miles at the foot of Pikes Peak and enjoys 243 days of sunshine annually. The city, Colorado’s largest by area and second in population, boasts 375 miles of trails and over 150 parks. Home to five military establishments, the Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and a thriving aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity sector, it offers a dynamic mix of business, education, and sports organizations. Colorado Springs is evolving with a vibrant downtown, diverse neighborhoods, and a growing population, recently named the
3rd Best Place to Live by U.S. News & World Report.
As The Aviation Director, You Will
- Lead Strategic Planning & Organizational Direction: Oversee internal operations, drive strategic planning initiatives, and ensure the effective alignment of resources and objectives.
- Guide Senior Leadership & Staff Communication: Provide clear direction to senior staff, lead executive-level meetings, and foster transparent communication across all levels of the organization.
- Oversee Financial Management & Fiscal Strategy: Monitor the financial health of the airport, participate in budgeting and airline rates and charges processes, and engage with financial advisors and rating agencies to maintain fiscal stability.
- Strengthen Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Develop and maintain relationships with key airport stakeholders, including airlines, rental car companies, retail and restaurant operators, parking service providers, and ground transportation entities. Draft and advocate for local ordinances and resolutions that support airport operations and growth.
- Ensure Regulatory Compliance & Industry Standards: Collaborate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, contribute to the advancement of national airport industry standards, and implement state and federal aviation regulations.
- Stay Informed on Industry Trends & Project Development: Participate in key project meetings, monitor emerging trends, and ensure the airport remains at the forefront of industry best practices.
- Manage External Relations & Partnerships: Develop and execute engagement strategies for working with external agencies and private-sector businesses to advance the airport’s mission.
- Advise City Leadership & Policy Development: Provide expert recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on aviation-related issues, draft resolutions and ordinances, and support policy development efforts.
- Influence State & Federal Policy: Represent the airport’s interests in legislative and administrative matters at both the state and federal levels, ensuring alignment with policy objectives while effectively communicating with the public.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Aviation, Business, or another related area.
- Seven years of full-time, professional experience in a related field.
- Two years of administrative, leadership and supervisory experience.
We value a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Our organization views each year of further education as equivalent to each year of relevant work experience, and each year of additional relevant work experience as equivalent to each year of required education.
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are not required, but they are considered desirable. If you possess any of the preferred qualifications, please include specific details in your application. This information may be used to identify a top group of applicants
- Experience working in an airport or other aviation environment
- Experience working for a municipal or other government
Additional Information
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a culture that values our employees’ unique individual qualities and fosters an inclusive environment where people want to be.
The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.
NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.
The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Apply to Join Our Team
- Please visit the City of Colorado Springs Careers page and review our opportunities. Click on Apply button to complete an online application for any position of interest. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a Government Jobs user ID and password).
- Completing your application in full, including the entire work experience section, will assist Human Resources in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.
- Applicants may redact information from their resumes, certifications, transcripts, or any other additional application materials that identify the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
- We encourage candidates with out-of-state credentials to inquire about expedited processing of Colorado licensing with the Colorado Occupational Credential Portability Program. More information can be found at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Licensing Portability page
- Our Government Jobs application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes, you may submit another application prior to the position’s closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.
The City's job classifications, including physical demands and descriptions, can be found on the Colorado Springs Class Specifications page
You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.
To be notified of future career opportunities sign up for job alerts on the Job Alerts page.
Working for the City of Colorado Springs is Rewarding!
Please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Total Rewards Site for additional benefits information.
The City of Colorado Springs is a place where people want to come to work each day. We have a culture of excellence, and we strive to provide our employees with the very best overall career experience and Total Rewards. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
01
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
- Less than high school
- High School diploma or GED
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or above
02
How many years of relevant experience do you possess?
- Less than one year
- One or more years
- Two or more years
- Three or more years
- Four or more years
- Five or more years
- Six or more years
- Seven or more years
- Eight or more years
- Nine or more years
- Ten or more years
03
Do you have two or more years of administrative, leadership and supervisory experience?
04
If yes, please explain your experience in detail, including your role and where you gained the experience. If no, please enter N/A.
05
Do you have experience working in an airport or other aviation environment?
06
Do you have experience working for a municipal or other government?
Required Question
Employer City of Colorado Springs
Address 30 South Nevada Avenue, Suite 301
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903
Phone 719-385-5171
Website http://www.coloradosprings.gov
