GENERAL MANAGER OF AIRPORT OPERATIONS

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

General Manager of Airport Operations, BX22

Chicago Department of Aviation

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $112,440.00

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on July 1, 2026.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Responsible for the daily oversight, coordination, and strategic management of Airside Operations, safety compliance, training, and operational readiness programs at Midway International Airport.

* Directs and supervises operational staff, quality assurance personnel, and training coordinators to ensure compliance with FAA Part 139 requirements, airport certification standards, TSA regulations, City policies, and departmental procedures.

* Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of airfield training, movement area driver qualification programs, QA/QC inspections, and runway incursion prevention initiatives.

* Coordinates daily operational activities involving construction, emergency response, snow and ice control, airfield inspections, and stakeholder communications to maintain safe and efficient airport operations.

* Review operational reports, incident investigations, and compliance audits while developing corrective action plans and operational improvements.

* Serves as the primary liaison with FAA personnel, airlines, contractors, tenants, and other governmental agencies regarding operational and safety matters.

* Assists executive leadership in strategic planning, budget administration, staffing development, operational policy implementation, and long-term infrastructure planning to support airport operational continuity and safety objectives.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: Chicago Midway International Airport

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Must be flexible to work outside of regular Business Hours)

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

• Nine (9) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a directly related field, PLUS seven (7) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a directly related field, PLUS five (5) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a directly related field, PLUS four (4) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

NOTE: The candidates selected for hire must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment.

NOTE: Must be flexible for early and/or late meetings and weekends.

NOTE: This is a 24/7 on-call operation, based on operational needs.

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

* Must obtain airfield certification within six months of hire

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires an applicant to successfully complete an interview which will include a written assessment. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview and assessment, will be selected.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

The City of Chicago is committed to providing fair chance hiring and welcomes applicants with past convictions, recognizing the value of a diverse workforce and the potential for growth and positive change.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor