Position Summary
TO VIEW THE BROCHURE CLICK HERE
This is a confidential recruitment. To apply online,
click here.
The Contacts For This Executive Search Are
Rod Dinger, A.A.E. rod@adkexecutivesearch.com
Dan Sprinkle, A.A.E. dan@adkexecutivesearch.com
THE CITY: Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website.
THE POSITION: Under general administrative and broad policy guidance of the City Manager, provides administrative direction and management oversight of the Palm Springs International Airport; coordinates activities with other City departments, Airport Commission and outside agencies as required for Airport; provides direction and strategic planning for various projects assigned by the City Manager; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager; and performs related work as necessary.
THE AIRPORT: As the only commercial service airport in the Coachella Valley, PSP serves millions of enthusiastic travelers every year. Located just minutes from downtown, the airport is owned and operated by the City of Palm Springs. Through a dozen different airlines, PSP offers nonstop flights to more than 30 destinations and one-stop travel possibilities to over 300 cities worldwide. To see all the exciting things going on at PSP visit the Progress PSP website!
As a member of the City's unclassified service, this is an "at-will" position and serves at the discretion of the City Manager.
Examples Of Essential And General Responsibilities
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assumes full management responsibility for the services, activities, operations, safety, and security of the Airport under delegated authority from the City Manager.
- Responsible for ensuring Airport compliance with all FAA rules and regulations, especially as it pertains to certificated airports under 14 CFR Part 139.
- Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level managers and supervisors, the Airport’s work and strategic plans; meets with Airport and City staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
- Develops, implements, and manages policies and procedures related to airport operations, safety, security, and maintenance; coordinates Airport policy manuals and procedures regarding emergency procedures, security and safety standards, minimum leasing standards, and operating procedures.
- Coordinates the development and implementation of the Airport’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget, capital budget, special funds budgets (e.g., Customer Facility Charge (CFC) and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC)) for the Airport; monitors the assigned budgets and approves expenditures as required.
- Prepares and presents staff reports and presentations to City Council and Airport Commission pertaining to legislative and regulatory matters, policies, procedures, agreements, contracts, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants.
- Coordinates and attends advisory Airport Commission and committee meetings; prepares and furnishes agendas, meeting meetings, staff reports, presentations, necessary material, data, maps, and records; provides technical assistance and advice.
- Researches, gathers, and analyzes data and information regarding airline and airport operations and marketing of the Airport; prepares written reports and oral presentations on activities.
- Coordinates closely with representatives from airlines, leaseholders, service providers, and concessionaires to effectively, efficiently, and safely manage and operate the Airport.
- Analyzes and reports on the potential impacts of external government actions; coordinates the formulation and implementation of policies related to federal and state aviation laws, rules, and regulations.
- Coordinates the development and negotiation of airport leases, contracts, and agreements with private companies (e.g., concessionaires, vendors, service providers), commercial air carriers, and government agencies for the rental, lease, or use of Airport property or facilities.
- Directs planning and construction projects of the Airport in accordance with all governmental regulations, including City development standards and processes.
- Represents the Airport at Airport Commission and to outside agencies and organizations.
- Assesses a variety of natural or man-made emergency situations requiring Airport closure or altered operations such as extreme weather conditions, bomb threats, fire, aircraft emergencies, utility outages or interruptions, security breaches, etc.
- Responds to and resolves citizen complaints, questions, and problems (e.g., noise complaints); contacts departments or agencies involved; provides direction and delegates authority as necessary to correct issues.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of Airport management and administration.
- Coordinates and negotiates acquisition or sale of property.
- Performs other Airport related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum And Preferred Requirements
Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.
Experience
The ideal candidate must be results-oriented and possess outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with at least ten (10) years of experience as a senior executive within a commercial service hub airport program, which includes a minimum of five years increasingly responsible administrative/supervisory airport experience and oversight. The Executive Director must also have the ability to understand and interpret financial information as it relates to Airport revenues and overall financial management.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, or a related airport field, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities is required.
- A Master's degree is preferred.
License or Certificates:
- Possession of an appropriate valid California driver license with a satisfactory driving record is required.
- Possession of a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge, which is approved through the Federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required.
- Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) credential through the American Association of Airport Executives is preferred.
Working Conditions
The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
This position works in an office environment; construction and airfield environment, airport environment with exposure to computer screens, heat, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, and potentially dangerous situations; travel from site to site; and may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods; moderate to heavy lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, kneeling, bending, climbing with both legs and arms; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; communicate in person; driving a vehicle for extended periods.
Application and Exam Information
Executive search services for this recruitment are being provided by ADK Consulting & Executive Search. As part of the recruitment process, ADK Consulting will administer its own independent selection process, which may include one or more examination components.
All required application materials must be submitted directly to ADK Consulting. To learn more about the position or to apply, please click here.
Qualifications
If you are interested in joining Team Palm Springs and meet the qualifications outlined above, apply here. For additional information regarding this recruitment, please contact ADK Consulting at:
Rod Dinger, A.A.E. rod@adkexecutivesearch.com
Dan Sprinkle, A.A.E. dan@adkexecutivesearch.com
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on July 12, 2026, in order to be considered for this opportunity. This is an Executive confidential recruitment and reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.
The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
The City of Palm Springs provides a comprehensive benefit program for employees including:
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Retiree Health Savings Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Plan
- Employee paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
- Employee paid Deferred Compensation Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Retirement Plan through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
- Benefit program details vary by work unit and bargaining contracts. Click here to view additional information and bargaining unit contracts.
- The City does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution for all regular positions.
