Airport Security Manager

Description

Examples of Duties

Typical duties performed, include, but are not limited to oversight of daily operations to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and organizational priorities. Dependent upon service area, may manage and direct staff to maintain efficient workflows, ensuring productivity and high-quality outcomes. Develop, implement, and evaluate operational strategies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement. Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to support departmental initiatives. Perform other job-related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required. Substitution: Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking. Six (6) years of full-time management experience required. Four (4) years of demonstrated leadership experience. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement effective solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Valid State of Ohio Driver’s License required.

Supplemental Information

Additional Requirements:

• Five (5) years of full-time, paid, progressive security management experience in a complex, high-volume, public-facing environment is required. Experience may include airports, large transportation hubs, major stadiums or arenas, theme parks, casino or resort complexes, federal or state facilities, university campuses, or similar large-scale operations.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing security programs for large commercial or public facilities, including responsibility for policy enforcement, incident response, access control, and coordination with external public safety agencies, is required.

• Demonstrated experience with regulatory or compliance-driven security environments is required. Experience may include federal, state, or industry-mandated security programs, inspections, audits, or oversight responsibilities.
• Experience working with federal agencies or regulatory bodies (e.g., TSA, DHS, FEMA, DOJ, or equivalent oversight entities) is required. Direct aviation experience is preferred but not required if equivalent regulatory exposure can be demonstrated.
• NIMS and ICS certifications for Management tier and any assigned working groups must be completed within six (6) months of employment, with additional or refresher training completed as required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment, fostering professionalism, equity, and non-discrimination across a multi-disciplinary workforce.
• Proficient oral, presentation, and written communication skills are required, including the ability to prepare proposals, reports, business correspondence, briefings, and procedure manuals for executive and regulatory audiences.
• Strong analytical, risk-assessment, and problem-solving skills required, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure and with incomplete information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during emergency or surge operations.
• Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10-year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check, employment background check, and Security Threat Assessment.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test.
• Must obtain Ground Vehicle Operator Non-Movement credentialing within the first ninety (90) days of employment and maintain required credentials throughout employment.
• Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of thirty-five (35) pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Security Management, or a closely related field from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred. Equivalent leadership experience may be considered.
• Progressive leadership experience in a 24/7 operational environment, including supervision of multi-shift staff, contracted security personnel, or unionized workforces, is preferred.
• Experience managing security operations in environments with daily attendance or occupancy exceeding 10,000 people, such as airports, stadiums, resorts, theme parks, or major public venues, is preferred.
• Experience with aviation security programs, Airport Security Programs (ASP), or TSA regulatory compliance is preferred but not required if comparable regulatory oversight experience exists.
• Professional certifications such as AAAE Certified Member (C.M.), Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.), CPP, PSP, or comparable security or emergency management credentials are preferred.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies during planned events and unplanned incidents is preferred.
• Experience modernizing or professionalizing security operations, including training programs, SOP development, technology integration, or performance management, is preferred.

Duties & Responsibilities

Reporting through the Airport Senior Manager of Public Safety & Security to the Assistant Director is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Airport Security Section. The ASM oversees the Airport Security Section to include security credentialing, access media badges, administering regulatory training associated with the badge process, contract management of security services and systems, compliance and enforcement of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Regulations and Security Directives, administration of the Airport Security Program (ASP), audit requirements, and all security office procedures.

• Develops, implements, and directs all facets of the ASP to ensure compliance with standards and specifications mandated under Transportation Security Administration Regulations CFR 49 part 1542 and 1544 pertaining to the safety and security of a commercial airport.
• Responsible for planning, organizing, directing and managing the day-to-day operations and performance of Airport Security, regulatory compliance, training development and administration, and ID Badging.
• Analyzes, develops, and/or revises existing components of the Airport Security Program in response to continual and ongoing revisions of TSRs 1542 and 1544.
• Acts as liaison between the airport and the TSA, Homeland Security, Local law enforcement entities, airlines, tenants, and others.
• Develops section budget and monitors expenditures.
• Is responsible for hiring, development and performance of the workforce. Develops and monitors employee goals, counsels and coaches, instructs and evaluates employees, initiates and enforces disciplinary actions, and informs leadership of performance or operational issues if necessary.
• Reports audit findings, security infraction assessments, results and disciplinary/corrective actions taken to regulatory agencies, City officials, and ASOs.
• Must be available 24/7 to TSA, Airport Emergency Plan emergencies, and weather-related codes affecting airport operations.
• Promotes and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety management policies, procedures, and programs to minimize employee accidents and to promote a safe work environment. Prepares accident and injury reports as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.

The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.