Director, Airport Affairs

As a global leader in aviation services, Swissport provides ground handling, cargo handling, and passenger services to over 300 million passengers annually. Our mission is simple – “To provide the aviation industry with consistent and tailor-made solutions around the globe, for a better customer experience.” At Swissport, we believe that our people differentiate us from our competition by living our core values: Show You Care, Do the Right Things, and Win as a Team.

Job Summary

This role requires an innovative and experienced self-starter with the capability to shape airport relationships and help achieve Swissport’s operational, safety, and compliance objectives through creative problem solving and proactive engagement. Through collaborative stakeholder management, this leader is a true business partner to key departments to drive strategic efforts across the enterprise. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Legal, North America.

Responsibilities

• Manage, grow, and strengthen relations with airports and related regulatory agencies and stakeholders at Swissport operations across the United States and Canada
• Serve as the “connective tissue” and point person for airport-related issues in partnership with various support and operational teams and Swissport’s airline customers
• Enhance focus and deliver Swissport’s messaging and commitment on safety, customer satisfaction, operational success, and community goals with airport management
• Lead and assist with RFP responses and other opportunities to proactively expand business lines at new and existing airports
• Help drive organizational growth and strategic efforts at airports to obtain cost savings, revenue results, and operational improvements
• Anticipate, navigate, and resolve policy matters and actions affecting airport operations
• Implement advocacy and education campaigns to drive business and operational results while nurturing key relationships
• Manage airport lease portfolio and actively seek opportunities for new warehouse spaces and other premises in partnership with the Procurement team and local operations personnel
• Assist with other airport real estate matters as they arise
• Regular or unexpected travel will be required

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 7+ years’ experience in aviation, preferably in a role that requires active partnerships with airports and airlines
• Experience managing a commercial lease portfolio or airport property matters
• Ability to communicate, strategize solutions, and remove roadblocks proactively and in concert with all stakeholders
• Self-Starter, team player, and leader who is able to prioritize and organize targeted and strategic projects and assignments
• Able to deal with a wide range of situations and personalities, good interpersonal skills
• Able to work well under pressure and maintain a team spirit and cooperative attitude
• Able to conduct public speaking, good presentation skills
• Detail-oriented, excellent organizational and consistency skills
• Open minded, committed to continual improvement
• Ability to influence culture and be a change agent
• Ability to move back and forth between the strategic and tactical aspects of the role, set priorities and produce results under challenging conditions with tight deadlines
• Ability to travel up to 30%, sometimes on short notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Swissport as an equal opportunity employer bases its hiring decisions on business needs and the best qualified candidates available and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of any protected category. Candidates who are offered employment may be subject to a criminal record and other background checks as permitted or required by company policy or applicable law.

What we offer

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance