Senior Manager, Airside Operations  

About Us

LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) is the private developer and manager of the state-of-the-art Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport. With our new award-winning $5B terminal now complete, LGP is seeking talented individuals to help us achieve ongoing excellence in terminal operation and guest experience.  Get onboard and join the team transforming the NYC travel experience. 

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Airside Operations leads and manages the comprehensive Airside Operations Program at Terminal B, with full accountability for strategic direction, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across all airside activities. This role is responsible for the end-to-end coordination of airside operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and seamless movement of passengers, aircraft and all associated ground service support, while upholding LGP’s high standards for safety, service, and facility performance.

As a senior leader, this individual will have cross-functional direction and guidance  to a team of operations supervisors, fosters strong partnerships with key stakeholders, and proactively addresses complex operational challenges. Serving as a principal decision-maker during emergencies and irregular operations, the Senior Manager must bring sound judgment, strategic agility, and exceptional communication skills to a dynamic, high-pressure environment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversight of all airside activities to ensure seamless passenger/aircraft movement, operational efficiency, and alignment with LGP’s guest experience and safety standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison between LGP and key stakeholders for all related airside operations, including airlines, ground handlers, and vendors, leading proactive collaboration and issue resolution to maintain service continuity and operational excellence.
• Lead performance management efforts by monitoring KPIs, analyzing operational data, and conducting joint inspections to identify trends and drive data-informed, strategic improvements in facility performance and operational efficiency.
• Act as the key operations representative for airside maintenance activities and capital projects. Ensure operational requirements are incorporated into planning and execution phases, minimizing passenger disruption and protecting airside integrity.
• Function as Incident Commander when needed during Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations and irregular operations, leading response strategies to protect safety, minimize disruption, and restore normalcy swiftly.
• Support the training and development of operations personnel to ensure adherence to safety protocols, SOPs, and service delivery expectations. Conduct performance evaluations and apply policies consistently to drive accountability.
• Develop, lead, and execute the Terminal B Winter Operations Plan, inclusive of a common use aircraft de-icing management strategy, providing strategic oversight to ensure operational readiness, continuity of service, and stakeholder coordination during inclement weather. Drive proactive planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional response efforts to mitigate operational disruption and ensure safety and efficiency throughout the winter season.
• Leads fiscal planning and budgeting activities, including development of long- and short-term capital forecasts, workforce plans, and resource allocation aligned with terminal strategic objectives.
• Leads and enforces strategic policies and operational standards that enhance organizational effectiveness, service delivery, and the passenger experience.
• Leads the development, and implementation of updates to the Airside Management Plan and all other relevant airside documents, maintaining currency with evolving regulations, risks, and industry best practices.
• Oversees the design and execution of change management and organizational readiness strategies for airside operations, ensuring seamless adoption of new policies, processes, and technologies within the terminal environment.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives and perform additional duties as required to advance Terminal B’s mission, operational integrity, and guest experience objectives.
• Conducts Safety Management System (SMS) investigations, overseeing root cause analysis and action planning in response to incidents, near-misses, and operational anomalies.
• Performs additional duties as required, contributing to the terminal’s strategic direction and resilience in a dynamic operational environment.

Competencies

• Proven capability in designing and leading operational programs that mitigate risks and meet industry best practices.
• Experience in emergency preparedness, incident investigations (SMS), and crisis response.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to translate complex issues into clear messaging.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver clear  and strategic presentations to senior leadership.
• Influences decisions across levels of the organization through data, insight, and leadership presence.
• Builds and maintains high-trust relationships with internal and external stakeholders including tenants, regulatory bodies, and operational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, forecasts, and resource planning in alignment with strategic priorities.
• Knowledge of SMS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Transportation, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in airport or airline operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing airside functions.
• Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, airfield layouts, aircraft types, and ramp operations.
• Proven experience managing IROPS, emergency response, and multi-agency coordination.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in airport systems such as AODB, gate management, resource scheduling, and reporting tools.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed. Specifically, during inclement weather such as winter weather events.

Primary Work Location: LaGuardia Airport, NY

Employee Status: Regular Full Time (onsite)

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action

LaGuardia Gateway Partners provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Further, it is the policy of LaGuardia Gateway Partners to undertake affirmative action in compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements.