Principal Property Manager - Airport

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top 10 cities in which to live, work, and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural, government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration. The City's Airport Department is seeking an individual whose values align with the values of the City's employees.

Fueled by a culture of innovation, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the Bay Area's easiest and most dependable Airport due to its medium size, simple layout, temperate climate and location. SJC is located just minutes from downtown San José–the Bay Area’s largest city and the Capital of Silicon Valley. SJC is a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. In 2023, SJC welcomed more than 12 million passengers and was rated the Best Midsize Airport in the U.S. by Wall Street Journal. SJC currently offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations. The Airport’s two fixed-base operators, as well as several corporate aviation tenants, serve the business aviation needs of Silicon Valley; corporate and general aviation traffic represents more than a quarter of aircraft operations at SJC. In 2024, SJC celebrated 75 years of connecting the Bay Area with the world. For more information and to connect with SJC on social media, visit www.flysanjosé.com. 

San José Mineta International Airport is proud to offer an exciting and unique opportunity to a dynamic professional with a proven track record, who enjoys and excels at leading, communicating and interacting with diverse staff while providing top-notch management and supervision skills. The Airport has a rigorous and accelerated airport property management program for highly qualified candidates who have demonstrated the ability to successfully manage a complex property management program and supervise staff.

Under the direction of the Division Manager, the Principal Property Manager position plans, organizes, and manages all aspects of airport lease and property development. Overseeing a team of eight professional level staff, this position is responsible for complex tenant negotiations, transactions, and RFPs/RFQs in addition to developing, writing, reviewing, and presenting complex reports, documents, and correspondence.

This position requires expert knowledge in airport property management, airline, operating agreements, concessions agreements, tenant leases, tenant licenses and permits, real estate development, concession development in an airport environment, contract provisions, airport leasing laws and legal procedures, and rate setting methodologies. The position also requires a strong understanding of FAA regulations, aviation industry standards, State statues, City Ordinances, expert negotiation and interpersonal skills and strong oral and written communication skills. Certified Property Managers are desired.

The ideal candidate stays abreast of industry’s best practices and changes in regulatory requirements and will be a detail-oriented individual with the necessary initiative, flexibility and creativity to succeed in a team-oriented, fast-paced, and high-volume work environment. The ideal candidate will also possess a high level of professionalism, a data-driven approach, strong organizational and project management skills, excellent customer service skills, and a strong work ethic.

Salary range for this classification is: $157,226.16 - $192,410.40 Annually

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Education and Experience 

Bachelor’s Degree in airport management, business administration or related field and six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in airport property management, including two (2) years of supervisory experience. 

Acceptable Substitution

Additional qualifying experience as described above may substitute for the required education on a basis of one and one-half (1.5) years of experience for one (1) year of education up to a maximum of 2 years of the required education. 

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.) 

• California Driver’s License.
• Airports Council International - Concession Management Certification or equivalent required within six (6) months of appointment

Employment Eligibility

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application. Candidates are required to satisfactorily complete and pass a fingerprint based Criminal History Records Check prior to being considered for a position in this class at the Airport. This Airport position requires a background check and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check. The candidate must be fingerprinted and qualify under all applicable TSA and Airport regulations.

Form 700 requirement

This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

• Job Expertise - demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Communication Skills - effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Customer Service - approaches problem-solving by focusing on customers first; advocates for customer results point of view; demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.
• Developing Others - uses appropriate methods and a flexible interpersonal style to help others develop their capabilities.
• Fiscal Management - understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.
• Leadership - leads by example; serves as appropriate role model; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment; encourages and rewards risk-taking, allowing others to learn from mistakes.
• Management - evaluates priorities to ensure the 'true' top priorities are handled satisfactorily; sets clear goals for the employees and the work unit.
• Negotiating - achieves "win-win" outcomes by identifying common interests, clarifying differences, and achieving consensus or compromise.
• Problem Solving - approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Supervision - sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all required questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. The application deadline is 11:59 PM on Friday, October 23, 2026. 

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Kit Kwan at [email protected].