Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!

The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is a vibrant, city-owned hub in the heart of Colorado, serving as the primary gateway for the Pikes Peak Region and Southern Colorado. With three runways, COS is the state's second-largest airport, handling nearly 128,000 aircraft operations and 2.5 million passengers annually. Offering stunning views of Pikes Peak, it provides visitors with a warm Colorado welcome and is a key driver of regional economic growth, attracting business, conventions, and tourism. Spanning nearly 7,700 acres, COS is home to diverse business centers, including commercial, corporate, and military aviation, plus the innovative Peak Innovation Park.

Colorado Springs, with a population of 506,646, spans 195 square miles at the foot of Pikes Peak and enjoys 243 days of sunshine annually. The city, Colorado’s largest by area and second in population, boasts 375 miles of trails and over 150 parks. Home to five military establishments, the Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and a thriving aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity sector, it offers a dynamic mix of business, education, and sports organizations. Colorado Springs is evolving with a vibrant downtown, diverse neighborhoods, and a growing population, recently named the3rd Best Place to Live by U.S. News & World Report.

As the Aviation Director, you will:

• Lead Strategic Planning & Organizational Direction: Oversee internal operations, drive strategic planning initiatives, and ensure the effective alignment of resources and objectives.
• Guide Senior Leadership & Staff Communication: Provide clear direction to senior staff, lead executive-level meetings, and foster transparent communication across all levels of the organization.
• Oversee Financial Management & Fiscal Strategy: Monitor the financial health of the airport, participate in budgeting and airline rates and charges processes, and engage with financial advisors and rating agencies to maintain fiscal stability.
• Strengthen Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Develop and maintain relationships with key airport stakeholders, including airlines, rental car companies, retail and restaurant operators, parking service providers, and ground transportation entities. Draft and advocate for local ordinances and resolutions that support airport operations and growth.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance & Industry Standards: Collaborate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, contribute to the advancement of national airport industry standards, and implement state and federal aviation regulations.
• Stay Informed on Industry Trends & Project Development: Participate in key project meetings, monitor emerging trends, and ensure the airport remains at the forefront of industry best practices.
• Manage External Relations & Partnerships: Develop and execute engagement strategies for working with external agencies and private-sector businesses to advance the airport’s mission.
• Advise City Leadership & Policy Development: Provide expert recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on aviation-related issues, draft resolutions and ordinances, and support policy development efforts.
• Influence State & Federal Policy: Represent the airport’s interests in legislative and administrative matters at both the state and federal levels, ensuring alignment with policy objectives while effectively communicating with the public.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Aviation, Business, or another related area. 
• Seven years of full-time, professional experience in a related field.
• Two years of administrative, leadership and supervisory experience.
• We value a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Our organization views each year of further education as equivalent to each year of relevant work experience, and each year of additional relevant work experience as equivalent to each year of required education.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are not required, but they are considered desirable. If you possess any of the preferred qualifications, please include specific details in your application. This information may be used to identify a top group of applicants

• Experience working in an airport or other aviation environment
• Experience working for a municipal or other government