Compensation Grade:

Executive Vice President

Salary Range:

$222,911.00-$363,791.00

Opening Date:

September 27, 2024

Closing Date:

October 12, 2024

Please Note: All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

The recruitment for this position is conducted by an Executive Search Firm SpencerStuart. Contact information: [email protected]

About the Organization

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority operates a two-airport system that provides domestic and international air service for the mid-Atlantic region. The organization consists of more than 1,700 employees in a structure that includes central administration, airports management, and police and fire departments. In addition to operating Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International airports, the Airports Authority is responsible for capital improvements at both airports, management of the Dulles Toll Road, and the design and construction of the Dulles Metrorail extension (Silver Line), which opened in November 2022.

The Airports Authority is not taxpayer-funded for its operations, but is self-supporting, using aircraft landing fees, rents, and revenues from concessions to fund operating expenses. Airport capital improvements are funded by bonds issued by the Airports Authority, federal and state Airport Improvement Program funds, and passenger facility charges. Funding for the Metrorail project was provided by the Airports Authority and its project partners in Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the federal government, and bonds backed by revenue generated by the Dulles Toll Road.

The Airports Authority is governed by a 17-member board of directors that establishes policy and provides direction to management. Members of the board are appointed by governors of Virginia and Maryland, the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the president of the United States.

In recent years, the Airports Authority has undergone an organizational transformation that has seen the creation of a revenue department, an enhanced marketing organization, and an Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact. As detailed in the 2023 budget, costs per enplaned passengers have decreased to below $10 at Reagan National and $16 at Dulles International, and the share of non-airline revenue has grown to above 58 percent of total operating revenue sources.

In 2021, the Airports Authority completed a $1 billion capital improvement project to transform the passenger experience at Reagan National. Dubbed Project Journey, it included the construction of two new security checkpoints that connect the concourse level of Terminal 2 to airline gate areas, along with a concourse to replace 14 former outdoor gates that were served by buses. The new concourse includes an airline lounge and 10 new shops and restaurants. A project to add 14 new gates at Dulles International is entering the design phase, with operational readiness anticipated in 2026.

Airline and passenger activity have shown a strong recovery since declining in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Dulles International had more than 10.3 million passenger enplanements with seven airlines serving domestic markets and 27 airlines serving international destinations. Reagan National was served by eight major airlines and in 2022 and had a record-setting 11.9 million passenger enplanements.

For more information about the Airports Authority, please visit www.mwaa.com

Position Summary

The Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a key executive leadership role responsible for overseeing the daily operations and strategic direction of the organization. This position requires a leader with a proven track record of managing large-scale projects, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.

As the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) you will lead the teams in the delivery of high-quality customer service, safety, and security at airports that serve the National Capitol area.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Works under the administrative supervision of the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Serves in the Office of Operations at the Headquarters Office.

Plans, directs, and manages the operation of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport, and the Office of Public Safety, including the respective communications control centers and the other support elements, necessary to deliver high-quality services to travelers to the National Capital area. Ensures the safety and security of airport employees and users, with the goal of maximizing customer satisfaction. Performs related functions.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the President and Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:
Vice President, Public Safety
Vice President, Strategic Operations
Vice President, Dulles International Airport
Vice President, Regan National Airport

Other key relationships:
Chief Engineering and Development Officer
Chief Finance Officer
Chief Information Office
Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Revenue Officer

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly, and/or through subordinates, and in collaboration with the airlines, terminal tenants, and state and Federal agencies ensures all entities comply with Airports Authority’ Instructions, policies, procedures, guidelines, and applicable regulations.  Works closely with governmental agencies to ensure compliance with regulations.

Ensures safe operating conditions exist on the airfields and within DCA and IAD terminals, for passengers, users/tenants, and employees.

Establishes and executes administrative policies and procedures, and operational practices to ensure the efficiency of programs and personnel, including the snow removal program, wildlife management program, driver’s training, airside and building maintenance, credentialing, dispatch, firefighting, and water rescue, law enforcement response, etc.

Ensures the development of emergency development plans that the associated training is maintained, and that employees and agencies work collectively to mitigate risk and manage incidents.  Provides logistical support and guidance to all departments during an emergency.

Coordinates and works on security and TSA-related issues; updates security policies and programs to ensure compliance.  Resolves security-related incidents or concerns.

Develops and implements a comprehensive, strategic asset management plan for preventive maintenance, repair, and replacement of Airports Authority assets including buildings and equipment.  Recommends capital improvement projects to preserve and/or enhance assets.   

Develops and submits timely and accurate operational budgets and ensures prudent financial management and fiscal accountability.

Coordinates construction activities to minimize disruption to airport users.

Develops and implements strategies for optimizing performance with the goal of meeting or exceeding established business performance benchmarks. Collaborates to develop strategic plans and to determine strategic initiatives, goals, and objectives that are customer-centered. 

Correlates with the Corporation’s Strategic Business Plan and the associated key performance indicators.

Maintains positive relationships within the Airports Authority, with community and business leaders, with tenants and concessionaires, and addresses concerns in a timely manner.

Monitors and remains alert to changing conditions, activities, problems, and requirements affecting Airport operations; initiates appropriate action to resolve issues in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

A track record of professional success and senior leadership experience supervising seasoned staff, in a commercial and/or retail environment.

Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.

Knowledge of emergency management, including incident command, and business continuity planning.

Skill in developing flexible and adaptable strategies to achieve organizational goals by understanding the organizational capabilities, airline market conditions, the regulatory environment, and technological advancements.

Ability to make decisions and develop innovative approaches to deal with frequent changes, unexpected events, conflicts and uncertain situations.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and ability to manage the operations and programs of the subordinate departments and team.

Commitment to ethics and integrity in public service, setting the example for integrity.

Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence, and partnering with a CEO and board of directors.

Ability to speak and write effectively, with an emphasis on negotiation and persuasive techniques.

Ability to perform complex analyses of data and information and make recommendations.

Potential exposure to adverse weather conditions, high noise levels, dust, grease, dirt, fumes, and heat from aircraft and moving vehicles during site inspections. Personal protective equipment must be worn as needed.

Subject to on-call duties and may need to work beyond regular hours, including weekends, or respond to emergencies as required.

Fundamental understanding of airport operations, airline, or airline support operations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

Valid state driver’s license in good standing.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Commercial Orientation

Meets or exceeds profitability or revenue goals by incrementally improving the business; makes calculated changes in processes, suggesting additions to the portfolio of businesses or growing the business organically.

Looks beyond basic metrics to think strategically when making commercial decisions.  Evaluates the wider commercial impact of decisions beyond the short-term.

Leading People

Communicates long-term direction and collaborates with the team on how to reach it.

Helps the team develop plans to implement key objectives and holds people accountable for their commitments, providing clarity and outlining in advance the ramifications of failure.

Delegates strategic objectives to the whole team with clear and explicit intent; knows the precise level of challenge and how individual team members will handle it.

Sets up forums or practices to reinforce independent and open communication among the team members.

Driving Results

Enables higher performance by incrementally improving approaches based on sound data, calculated risks, and benefits.

Benchmarks own performance against industry best practices.

Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best-in-class solutions, raising quality and productivity in a calculated way.

Identifies new processes and/or systems to improve productivity and/or make the business more efficient.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

If you wish to submit application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Airports Authority, please email: [email protected]

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.| Follow us on Twitter @MWAAcareers.