Airport Planning Manager (Planning & Development Team Leader) - Aviation Department

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The City of Phoenix Aviation Department operates the Phoenix Airport System which consists of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, and Phoenix Goodyear Airport. The Department has created a new position in the Planning & Environmental Division (P&E) to oversee the planning processes in support of facility needs and capital improvement projects for all three airports. This senior-leadership position will ensure that capital investment across terminals, airfield, landside, and support facilities are aligned with the airports' long-term growth, operational needs, and regulatory requirements.

The Airport Planning Manager will oversee staff and consultants responsible for preparing Project Definition Documents (PDD) in support of capital project decision-making, and will monitor funding and implementation status of projects through coordination with internal and external stakeholders. The position will also work on special planning projects as assigned and assist with various grants management and compliance responsibilities.

The essential duties of this position include:

• Support the CIP evaluation and programming process through accurate and timely communications, participating in the CIP Steering Committee, technical direction, and review of PDDs and coordination with stakeholder divisions.
• Apply advanced knowledge of airport planning, design, engineering, and construction processes in the development of PDDs which address high level scope, budget, phasing strategies, constructability, feasibility, and operational continuity.
• Oversee staff and consultants supporting PDD development.
• Maintain effective relationships with key internal CIP stakeholders responsible for finance, technology, maintenance, engineering, and Aviation leadership.
• Contribute to the leadership and success of P&E.
• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging regulations, policies and trends impacting airport development and programming.
• Manage special projects and studies in support of various administration, grants planning, environmental, land use, airspace, and noise initiatives.
• Prepare and deliver effective presentations to a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Review, process, and organize consultant scopes, invoices, and overall project management responsibilities.
• Coach, mentor, and supervise staff as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and prioritize, especially under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage good relationships with a diversity of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare effective planning communication, including presentations and planning graphics.
• Demonstrated ability in analyzing conceptual project costs, enabling actions, design effectiveness, and delivery methods.
• Demonstrated ability to review airport planning and development concepts and analyze them for standards compliance, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Knowledge of FAA rules and regulations related to planning management, grants administration, and airport development.

SALARY

Pay and Hiring Rang: $97,780.80 to $144,476.80 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 071. 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 .

BENEFITS

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here 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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Five years of responsible experience in urban planning, business assistance, capital improvement, design and/or construction projects at a level which required supervision and participation in the planning 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.
• 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, click here .
• The City job description can be found here .

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Three or more years of supervisory experience.
• Five or more years of recent airport planning experience.
• Recent experience preparing and reviewing PDDs.
• Recent experience facilitating or supporting CIP processes.
• Experience leading group decision-making processes.
• Experience with budgeting, financial planning, and federal/state grant administration.
• Master's degree and/or professional certification (AICP, AAE or PE).

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes July 15, 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.

HOW TO APPLY

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.

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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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or by text at View phone number on click.appcast.io . You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form .

REFERENCE

Planning & Dev Team Ldr, JC:23510, ID# 62039, 06/15/2026, USM, GO, Benefits:007

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

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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.