Deputy Airport Director - Operations and Planning

The Dane County Regional Airport has a current vacancy for a full time (1.0 FTE) Deputy Airport Director - Operations and Planning. 

The Eligibility List created from this posting may be used for future vacancies within the next six (6) months.

Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) served nearly 2.5 million passengers in 2025 and is one of the fastest growing small-hub airports in the country - generating nearly $2.6 billion in total economic impact while offering nonstop service to 19 destinations and one-stop access to nearly every major city worldwide. MSN is well-positioned for future growth and starting the first Airport Master Plan since 1993. This process will map the next decade of growth and MSN is hiring a Deputy Airport Director - Operations and Planning to maintain operational excellence and oversee major infrastructure projects to ensure airport facilities can accommodate long-term growth plans. Under general direction of the Airport Director, this position is responsible for directing airport operations, facilities and maintenance, safety and security needs.  This position is also responsible for the planning and implementation of the Airport’s Capital Improvement Plan, which will include recommendations from the Airport Master Plan once concluded.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

Deputy Airport Director 

Under general direction of the Airport Director, these positions are responsible for the following key areas:

Operations and Planning:

Under general direction of the Airport Director, this position is responsible for directing airport operations, facilities and maintenance, safety and security needs.   This position is also responsible for the planning and implementation of the Airport’s Capital Improvement Plan. 

Finance and Administration:

Under general direction of the Airport Director, this position will direct and manage the day-to-day business operations and activities and all financial responsibilities related to the Airport’s enterprise; oversees administrative activities and performs other duties as assigned.

Communications and Strategy:

Under general direction of the Airport Director, this position is responsible for overseeing strategic communication/marketing, business development, and air service initiatives. This position directs the work of three functional areas: Air Service Development, Marketing and Communications, and Business Development. 

Examples of Duties

Operations and Planning:

Responsible for compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. Leads implementation of short, medium, and long-term airport capital improvement program. Coordination with key airport users, tenants, and stakeholders to include FAA Safety and Standards/Airport District Office, as well as the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics.

Finance and Administration:

Oversight of airline use and lease agreements, passenger and car rental facility charges, rates and charges. Ground transportation financial arrangements including; car rental concession agreements, commercial ground transportation, airport parking facilities. Responsible for the majority of airport use and lease agreements. This position will also serve as the conduit between the airport to all county administrative functions including human resources, accounting, purchasing, payroll, etc.

Communications and Strategy:

Collaborate with the Airport Director and other executive leadership to align external and internal communications, promote the airport brand, expand service offerings, and increase non-aeronautical revenue. Serve as a spokesperson and key liaison with business, governmental (to include County Board of Supervisors), and community stakeholders to advance the mission and strategic goals of the Dane County Regional Airport. Aid in the growth of air service initiates at the Dane County Regional Airport.

Education, Training and Experience:   

Operations and Planning:

Any combination equivalent to a bachelor's degree in either airport management, business administration, aeronautical or civil engineering or related field, and five (5) years of high-level airport management experience in airport operations or maintenance at a commercial service airport.

Finance and Administration:

Any combination equivalent to a bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration, airport management or related field and five (5) years’ experience in high-level financial leadership.   

Communications and Strategy:

Any combination equivalent to a bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, business, administration, public administration, airport management or related field and five (5) years’ experience in high-level leadership.   

Special Requirements: 

Possession of or eligibility for a valid Wisconsin driver's license and access to personal transportation. “Also refer to the “Physical and Environmental Work Requirements” section below.”

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions:

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.

The departments below have the following additional educational, training, environmental or background check requirements:

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:

Work typically performed in professional office setting, occasional work outdoors or inside motorized equipment or vehicles. Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, stooping, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying. Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without corrective devices. Ability to work under adversities of noise, heat, cold, inclement weather and precipitation during emergencies which may include exposure to aircraft, automobile and construction noise, dust and exhaust fumes. Ability to lift twenty-five (25) pounds.Operations and Planning:
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of management principles and practices related to airport operations, planning, and maintenance. Ability to coordinate the long-term airport capital improvement plan and maximize the amount of state and federal funding awarded to the airport.  Possesses extensive understanding of FAA rules and regulations impacting airport functions, as well as expertise in airport construction and equipment. Skilled in planning and executing airport operations, maintenance, and development programs. Proven ability to recruit, train, and supervise operational and maintenance personnel. Experienced in coordinating airport development initiatives with various governmental agencies. Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to deliver clear and effective presentations to diverse audiences. Builds and maintains productive relationships with government officials, employees, tenants, and the public. Recognized for strong leadership and the ability to manage and guide teams toward achieving organizational goals.

Communications and Strategy:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in the essence of growing the airport presence/business. Working knowledge of various applicable office software applications, including Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Word and Excel).  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and effectively present information including respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public. Must have good organizational skills, effective communication skills, good problem-solving ability, good listening and clarification ability, ability to maintain confidential information, ability to take and carry out instructions, delegate work, and good interpersonal skills. Extensive knowledge of federal law, Federal Aviation Regulations, city and county ordinances, and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, state, county and city officials, employees and the general public.  Extensive knowledge of the process of seeking local, state, and federal approvals of various airport needs.

Finance and Administration:
Knowledge of federal, state, county and municipal laws related to the financial management of an airport and related facilities; comprehensive knowledge of airport management practices; knowledge of policies and procedures related to modern airport business operations and practices; knowledge of the principles of personnel management; working knowledge of financial planning and reporting, governmental financial accounting practices; general knowledge of property acquisition and property management; knowledge of business and economic principles and practices; effective oral and written communication skills; ability to analyze complex business operations issues, financial matters and to make sound recommendations; ability to coordinate, direct and manage the work of others; ability to effectively establish and maintain working relationships with employees, including both direct and indirect reports, public officials, tenants and the general public.