General Manager, FTZ

• #1 Airport in North America and Indiana Chamber's Best Places to Work!
• Paid Childcare Reimbursements up to $10k/year, per child.
• Paid Tuition Assistance up to $5,250/year
• Generous Medical, Dental, Vision and RX
• Free Healthcare through Marathon Health
• Pet Insurance
• Up to 5% Match Retirement Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off Programs & MORE!

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) is the grantor agency for federal Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) #72. The General Manager leads FTZ #72, an economic development engine serving 41 central Indiana counties, and is responsible for its strategic direction, operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, marketing, and stakeholder engagement. As part of the IAA Commercial Enterprise team, the General Manager ensures the FTZ program aligns with and advances IAA’s strategic priorities, including economic development, revenue generation, regulatory compliance, and community engagement.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

Work is performed under the supervision of the Operating Director, GIFTZ / Director of Properties. Performance is evaluated through reports, meetings, and achievement of agreed-upon strategic objectives.

The General Manager is responsible for the overall management and success of FTZ #72, including leadership of direct reports and adherence to IAA and GIFTZ policies. This role regularly leads special assignments and high-level projects supporting Commercial Enterprise and broader organizational goals.

Key administrative responsibilities include:

• Executing and managing FTZ agreements, contracts, legal documents, and program filings.
• Overseeing financial functions including budgeting, forecasting (CapEx & OpEx), accounts payable and receivable, procurement, and coordination of financial statements in partnership with the IAA Finance team.
• Preparing and managing reporting requirements, including the FTZ Board Annual Report, program performance reports, and materials for GIFTZ and IAA Board meetings.
• Supporting Commercial Enterprise initiatives beyond FTZ-specific duties, including revenue-generating activities and property-related opportunities.
• Identifying and supporting professional development needs within the GIFTZ team.
• Driving performance management, staff engagement, and a strong culture aligned with IAA’s Strategic Pillars.
• Supervises direct reports, sets goals, ensures training requirements are achieved, monitors and approves leave time and timecard requests.
  • Provide oversight and direction to direct reports.
  • Coach, counsel, mentor, and develop direct reports, including oversight of performance reviews and providing career development planning and opportunities.
  • Empower direct reports to take responsibility for their job and goals, delegating responsibility and expecting regular feedback and accountability. \
  • Lead direct reports to regularly exercise the organization’s five (5) Strategic Pillars of Customer Service, Economic Development, Stability & Sustainability, Workforce Development, and Community Engagement.
• Performing additional duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead and manage the FTZ #72 program across its full-service area, ensuring effective operations, program growth, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Ensure full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations related to FTZ merchandise movement, storage, and tracking.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for FTZ team members, including performance planning, accountability, and cross-training.
• Support strong relationships with FTZ Operators, Subzone Operators, tenants, brokers, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate and timely management of program documentation, reporting, and legal/financial records.
• Lead marketing and program promotion efforts in coordination with IAA Public Affairs.
• Maintain customer satisfaction with internal and external partners.
• Prioritize and manage complex, multifaceted work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and deadlines.
• Uphold IAA’s Strategic Pillars through all aspects of leadership and decision-making.

Outreach/Education/Marketing:

• Promote and expand awareness of FTZ #72 by educating local, regional, and state economic development organizations; civic partners; and the business community.
• Assist companies evaluating or pursuing FTZ status by providing program information, application guidance, and coordination with consultants.
• Lead GIFTZ marketing initiatives, including campaigns, presentations, website oversight (INzone), and development of collateral materials in coordination with IAA Public Affairs.
• Respond to program inquiries, engage political and civic representatives, and maintain reporting from marketing and outreach activities.
• Support efforts to position FTZ #72 as a key contributor to regional economic development.

Regulation Compliance:

• Serve as the primary resource for communicating and interpreting CBP regulations as they apply to active FTZ Operators.
• Monitor operator activities for compliance with inventory control procedures, security, record retention, and FTZ-specific operational requirements.
• Oversee audit processes and provide guidance to ensure ongoing program adherence and corrective action where needed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a BS degree with a major in Business, Accounting, International Trade, or Aviation Administration or similar applicable degree.
• Considerable experience in CBP compliant inventory control preferred.
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience supervising direct reports, preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of warehouse & production operations, preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of CBP regulations related to the FTZ program, preferred.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the transportation and distribution industry.
• Considerable knowledge in the use of Microsoft Suite.
• Strong management & organizational skills.
• Considerable experience & success in project management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Required Licenses, Certificates, Conditions

• Valid Indiana driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Pass the requisite airport physical for this position.
• Pass the requisite airport drug/alcohol screening tests.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to walk, sit, use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, balance, stop, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25+ pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Operate a motor vehicle with a valid driver’s license. Use of a computer and other personal assistance devices (tablets or mobile phone) are a must for this position.

Work Environment: This position is performed within an office environment at least 80% of the time. The other 20% the employee will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. With multiple worksites the noise level varies from the office environment and the outside environment. The incumbent in this position is expected to work independently and as part of the team.

DIRECT REPORTS

The following positions will report directly to the incumbent of this position:

• The FTZ Marketing Manager and the Facilities & Operations Coordinator

COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS

• The public, tenants’, co-workers, other departments, supervisors and subordinates.
• General warehouse clients, industrial park owners and site developers, and FTZ & Subzone Operators.
• U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), IEDC and other state governmental entities, Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs), Regional Economic Development Organizations (REDOs), County Commissioners & representatives, State Senators and Representatives, FTZ Board, Bureau of Census, and other federal departments.
• Suppliers, contractors, consultants, utilities, and solicitors.
• GIFTZ Board and IAA Board members and Senior IAA management.
• CEO’s, CFO’s, COO’s, Presidents of large companies and Employment agencies
• Freight Forwarders, Business Alliance Groups and professional fraternities and business groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.).
• News media.