Airline Affairs Project Manager - Aviation Department

In 2025, more than 52 million passengers traveled through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), making it one of the busiest airports in the United States and a key hub in the nation's fifth-largest city. PHX is the largest of three airports in the Phoenix Airport System, which also includes Deer Valley and Goodyear airports, operated by the City of Phoenix Aviation Department (AVN). Together, these airports generate an annual economic impact of over $44 billion.

The City of Phoenix Aviation Department is seeking a results-oriented professional to serve as the Airline Affairs Project Manager within the Business and Properties Division at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This position manages the business relationships with Airlines serving Sky Harbor. This position also interacts with private sector businesses, consultants, engineers, architects, attorneys, government entities, utility companies, and other City Department managers and staff.

The Airline Affairs section is in charge of managing the business relationships with airlines serving PHX. The Project Manager (PM) position will have ownership of managing the development, execution, and oversite of airline Letters of Authorization (LOA), International Facility License Agreements (IFLA), and other business agreements governing those relationships. This position is responsible for the completion of lease agreements or lease amendments as they relate to the airline tenants; day-to-day management of airline tenant relations; inspection of tenant leased spaces; coordination of tenant work orders and tenant improvement projects; and tenant contract compliance oversight and monitoring for insurance, bonds, letters of credit, rental adjustments, and reporting requirements.

This is a professional supervisory position requiring independent judgment, excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain professionalism and diplomacy at all times, business writing skills, critical thinking, financial and statistical data interpretation, and contract leasing negotiation experience. The selected candidate will be required to function in a fast-paced airport business environment, handling a variety of projects concurrently and with a high degree of tenant interaction. Works more than forty hours in a workweek without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, including weekends, evenings, early morning hours and holidays as required.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, business partners, tenants, customers, and representatives of governmental agencies.
• Communication Excellence
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively at all organizational levels.
  • Ability to develop clear, concise, and compelling reports and presentations tailored for diverse audiences.
• Collaboration & Consensus Building
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and align diverse interests to develop consensus on complex issues.
• Leadership & Operational Agility
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively.
  • Ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster collaboration in dynamic environments.
• Industry & Regulatory Expertise
  • In-depth knowledge of FAA policies, airport and airline business principles, and regulatory procedures.
  • Knowledge of airport leasing development, negotiations, and contract management.
• Analytical Thinking & Data-Driven Business Acumen
  • Strong analytical skills with data-driven approach to problem-solving and negotiating resolutions effectively for decision-making.
  • Proficiency in research methods, benchmarking, and applying insights to support strategic business decisions.
• Diplomacy and Discretion
  • Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgment when handling sensitive and confidential matters.

Pay Range: $80,454 to $131,040 annually.

Hiring Range: $80,454 to $107,806 annually.

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Internal Only: Please understand that this is pay grade 067. If selected, your salary offer will be based on the applicable promotion or demotion worksheet in accordance with the City Pay Ordinance.

• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page.

The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

• Four years of responsible experience in urban development, redevelopment, business assistance, capital improvement, design and/or construction projects at a level which required supervision or participation in the planning and programming processes.
• Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, urban planning, architecture, engineering, construction management, economics, or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• Working conditions:
  • Working extended and irregular hours outside of Monday - Friday 7:00AM to 6:00PM, including nights, weekends, and holidays may be required based on airport event activity and/or emergency airport events.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• The following list is not all inclusive, but are TSA general factors for disqualification of employment for working at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Other factors will be assessed that may also lead to disqualification. Qualified candidates should consider these factors when applying. Aviation Employment Disqualifiers.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions,
• .
• The City job description can be found here.

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Four or more years of:
  • Experience interpreting policies, procedures, instructions, rules and regulations, and applying them to contract or processes.
  • Professional level experience in airport management, airline management, airspace or noise analysis, community outreach, planning, policy or technical research.
• Two or more years of:
  • Direct Airline/Airport tenant relations experience at a large hub airport.
  • Experience developing and maintaining superior relations, airport concessionaires, tenants, and partners.
  • Aviation experience of which six months must be directly related to lease or airline contract management.
  • Experience negotiating, executing, overseeing compliance with airport contracts, lease agreements, license agreements, or use permits.
• One or more year of:
  • Experience writing business reports, scopes of work, and creating presentations and delivering to management.
  • Experience developing and maintaining superior relations with airlines, airport concessionaires, or commercial real estate partners or tenants.
• Experience working with/in:
  • Microsoft Office 365.
  • SAP Enterprise software.
  • Writing business reports, contracts, scope of work, creating presentations, and delivering to management.
  • Managing tenant improvement projects and reviewing construction plan documents.
  • Using research methods, data and statistical analysis, and benchmarking to develop business decision objectives in a logical, comprehensive, and concise manner.
• Accredited Airport Executive or Certified Member of American Association of Airport Executives, preferred.

Recruitment closes April 22, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
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• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Project Manager, JC:08640, ID# 61305, 04/09/2026, USM, GO, Benefits:007

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.