Assistant Director, Operations

Assistant Director, Operations, GRB

Vantage Group is a global leader in airport and transportation investment, development, management, and advisor services. Since 1994, Vantage's corporate and network-wide team has managed an award-winning portfolio, building strong partnerships that integrate global expertise and local know-how to solve complex transportation challenges at every network location. Over three decades, Vantage has built a track record of creating customized solutions to transform airports and transportation centers that benefit the passengers, stakeholders, and communities they serve. Vantage is a wholly owned strategic platform of Investcorp Corsair Infrastructure Partners for capital deployment in the airport and transportation sectors. Visit vantagegroup.com to learn more.

The Assistant Director, Operations, GRB, is responsible for the safe, secure, compliant, efficient, clean, and reliable operation of Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) by providing leadership and oversight for airport operations, airfield and landside maintenance, terminal and facility maintenance, housekeeping, airport infrastructure, regulatory and environmental compliance, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure planning and capital project support. The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Managing Director (EMD) and other applicable stakeholders to translate GRB's strategic priorities into business development plans, growth objectives, revenue initiatives, marketing programs, air service development efforts, and measurable results.

Leadership, Strategic Direction and Risk Management

Supports the Executive Managing Director (EMD) in developing and implementing GRB's strategic priorities and annual business plans by translating organizational strategy into operational objectives, departmental priorities, work plans, and performance measures.

Provides leadership across airport operations, maintenance, facilities, housekeeping, and infrastructure functions, fostering a coordinated "whole airport" approach that supports a safe, secure, efficient, clean, welcoming, and guest-focused environment.

Establishes a proactive operating culture focused on planning, preventive action, continuous improvement, early identification of risks and deficiencies, and timely resolution of issues.

Identifies operational risks, emerging needs, resource requirements, and improvement opportunities, and provides recommendations to the EMD.

Acts as the EMD's designate when assigned, ensuring continuity of leadership and airport operations.

Represents GRB with business organizations, industry partners, tenants, airlines, tourism agencies, economic development organizations, and community stakeholders to advance opportunities that benefit the airport and its partners.

Models and promotes the leadership, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and collaboration expected throughout GRB and ensures adherence to these standards across the organization.

GRB Operations Strategy

Provides overall leadership for the safe, secure, efficient, and compliant operation of the airport, ensuring compliance with all applicable FAA, TSA, federal, state, local, county, and airport requirements.

Leads and directs employees across assigned functions, including operations, maintenance, facilities, housekeeping, and other operational areas.

Oversees environmental compliance and environmental management activities, coordinating responses to environmental matters and incidents with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.

Develops and manages operating and capital budgets, including labor forecasting and resource planning, and monitors performance against approved budgets.

Establishes and monitors key performance indicators, service levels, maintenance metrics, cleanliness standards, compliance measures, asset performance metrics, and other operational performance standards.

Operations

Leads the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of required airport operational and regulatory plans and programs, including: Airport Certification Manual (ACM), Airport Security Program (ASP), Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), Snow and Ice Control Plan / Snow Removal Plan, Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP), and other required FAA, TSA, federal, state, and local operational plans, procedures, programs, and manuals.

Collaborates with the Airport Security Coordinator (ASC), TSA, public safety agencies, airlines, tenants, and other stakeholders to ensure operational and security requirements, access controls, procedures, and security directives are effectively implemented.

Oversees airfield inspections, condition reporting, NOTAM issuance and management, corrective actions, operational restrictions, and related activities necessary to maintain safe and compliant airport operations.

Develops and maintains standard operating procedures for routine, irregular, and emergency operations.

Provides oversight of snow and ice control operations to ensure safe and reliable airfield and landside conditions during winter weather events.

Ensures airport safety practices and risk mitigation measures are in place and that incidents, hazards, trends, and operational deficiencies are investigated, documented, communicated, and addressed appropriately.

Facilities, Maintenance & Asset Management

Oversees maintenance of airfield infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting systems, pavement, signage, markings, drainage systems, and related assets.

Oversees maintenance of terminal facilities, building systems, roadways, parking facilities, grounds, landscaping, and other airport-owned infrastructure.

Establishes and monitors preventive, predictive, scheduled, and corrective maintenance programs for airport facilities, infrastructure, vehicles, equipment, and systems.

Leads asset management practices that assess asset condition, lifecycle, reliability, criticality, capacity, maintenance requirements, and future rehabilitation or replacement needs.

Establishes service standards, inspection protocols, work priorities, performance expectations, and response measures for maintenance, facilities, housekeeping, and operational teams.

Prioritizes maintenance and work-order activities to balance immediate operational requirements with long-term asset preservation, rehabilitation, replacement, and capital investment needs.

Emergency Management

Provides senior leadership during emergencies, irregular operations, severe weather events, security incidents, infrastructure failures, and other significant operational disruptions.

Maintains 24/7 on-call availability for significant operational, safety, security, infrastructure, weather, and emergency matters requiring senior airport leadership.

Ensures operational readiness by maintaining appropriate staffing, equipment, procedures, communications systems, resources, and stakeholder coordination before disruptions occur.

Leads the development, maintenance, implementation, and testing of the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).

Coordinates emergency preparedness activities with relevant stakeholders and partner agencies.

Oversees the planning and execution of emergency exercises, drills, tabletop exercises, and other preparedness activities required by regulations or identified by GRB leadership.

Ensures lessons learned from incidents and exercises are documented and translated into corrective actions, updated procedures, training initiatives, equipment enhancements, or infrastructure improvements.

Serves as a primary operational contact for stakeholders during significant operational and emergency events.

Coordinates operational communications during major incidents and works with the EMD and designated communications personnel on stakeholder, guest, public, and media communications.

Chairs and participates in airport safety, security, emergency preparedness, construction, tenant, and other stakeholder committees and working groups.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field.

8 to 10 years of progressive multi-disciplinary airport experience. Certified Member (C.M.) or Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation preferred. Valid driver's license required. Ability to obtain and maintain all required airport security clearances and access privileges.

Skills & Capabilities

Superior knowledge of operational functions and principles that result in a safe, secure, effective and efficient airport operation

Strong ethical leadership

Superior interpersonal and negotiating skills in both internal and external settings

Significant experience developing policies and procedures that ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and international best practices

Experience in project management required, including the delivery of large scale, high value projects or initiatives

Excellent oral and written communications

Excellent analytical troubleshooting and creative problem-solving skills, with good judgment and sound decision-making in the absence of complete information

Proven ability to support rapidly shifting business demands, increase efficiency and streamline new processes through analysis and innovation

Curious about the "why" and able to thrive in ambiguity to bring options and provide recommendation

Demonstrated ability to lead effectively during operational disruptions, emergencies, and time-sensitive situations while maintaining a focus on safety, compliance, service delivery, and stakeholder coordination.

Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including finance, customer service, production, and employee management

What We Offer

The expected annual compensation for this position includes a base salary of USD $115,000 to $140,000, plus eligibility to participate in the Company's annual incentive program. Beyond competitive compensation, we offer career progression opportunities, access to a global team of talented professionals, and boundless opportunities to make your mark within our organization. If you share our sense of adventure