Assistant Director of Airport Security: Badging and Permitting - Denver International Airport

Assistant Director For Airport Security

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $115,683 -$165,000. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

In this position you can expect to work on site at Denver International Airport five days a week. Specific scheduling requirements for this position include 24/7 on-call as the Airport Security Coordinator on a rotational basis with other team members.

About DEN

Since opening on Feb. 28, 1995, Denver International Airport (DEN) has become one of the world's busiest airports. In 2025, 82,427,962 passengers passed through DEN, making DEN 4th busiest airport in the U.S. and the world's 10th busiest airport. DEN is Colorado's primary economic engine, generating $47.2 billion in annual economic impact for the state. At DEN, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We celebrate individuality and strive to keep Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA) at the center of all that we do.

Airport Security is a section of the Airport Operations Division of Denver International Airport (DEN) and is comprised of two (2) distinct units: Badging & Permitting (B&P) and Compliance & Enforcement (C&E). The Assistant Director of B&P will have the opportunity to influence critical badging, permitting and security programs, enhance customer service, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster strong partnerships and communication throughout the airport community.

The ideal candidate will bring exceptional leadership presence and sound judgment, with the ability to lead complex operational programs, manage high-impact projects and contracts, deliver a customer-focused service model, and advance security technology solutions that strengthen compliance, efficiency, and the airport stakeholder experience.

As an Assistant Director for Airport Security, your responsibilities will include:

• Oversee DEN's two Badging Offices, ensuring collection of required regulatory information, including Criminal History Record Checks (CHRCs), Security Threat Assessments (STAs), FBI Rap Back program, citizenship, and related records, to support annual issuance of 40,000+ Airport ID badges and vehicle permits.
• Serve as a Security Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Identity Management System (IDMS), badging, permitting, and related security programs, representing Airport Security in TSA regulatory meetings, VIP visits, exercises, projects, and stakeholder engagements.
• Partner with DEN Business Technologies to develop and enhance access control systems, IDMS, biometric authentication, computer-based training, and other security-related technology systems.
• Oversee, manage, and enhance DEN's Authorized Signatory Program for new and existing companies operating at DEN.
• Serve as one of two Airport Security unit leaders, overseeing fiscal accountability, section recommendations, O&M and CIP budgeting, fiduciary controls, contract administration, vendor performance, and SLA compliance.
• Develop, implement, and track performance metrics for Airport Security's Badging and Permitting programs, including SIDA badging and training, identity management, vehicle permitting, SAVE, visitor badges, eBadge, digital queue management, violation notices, and the Authorized Signatory Program, to monitor wait times, throughput, staffing, workload trends, service outcomes, and improvement opportunities.
• Communicate unit decisions, actions, and recommendations to internal and external customers and stakeholders through a variety of channels, including emails, letters, in-person and virtual presentations, program guideline development, operational procedures, and website updates, while promoting professional outreach, responsive customer service, clear service expectations, performance monitoring, and training.
• Advise on, support, and ensure compliance with federal regulations, security directives, applicable laws, and airport security requirements by interpreting and applying CFRs, TSRs, TSA directives, the Airport Security Program, DEN Rules and Regulations, airport policies, Operating Instructions (OIs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and personnel requirements.
• Oversee review, approval, or disqualification of Airport ID badge applicants based on CHRC, FBI Rap Back, and STA results.
• Lead innovation, continuous improvement, and modernization across Badging and Permitting operations by evaluating systems, workflows, service levels, stakeholder needs, and technology-enabled opportunities to improve performance, automation, efficiency, and customer experience.
• Promote a high-performing, energized team culture through regular engagement with direct reports, supervisors, and staff, reinforcing accountability, open communication, operational alignment, shared ownership, and two-way feedback.
• Serve as an alternate Airport Security Coordinator (ASC)and liaison with TSA and other federal and local law enforcement agencies to support regulatory coordination, incident response, operational readiness, and compliance visibility.
• Fulfill local and federal security-related data and records requests, including Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests, while protecting Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.

Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:

• Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Security certified and/or a AAAE Certified Member
• Exceptional project management experience, with demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning through implementation, change management, and sustained operational results
• Strong expertise in security technology systems, including the ability to evaluate, implement, enhance, and optimize access control, identity management, biometrics, training platforms, and other technology-enabled security solutions
• Demonstrated experience supervising/managing teams in an environment that is regulated by local, state and/or federal requirements
• Extensive experience in contract management and budget oversight, including vendor accountability, service level performance, procurement coordination, and stewardship of operational and capital resources
• Exceptional leadership experience with a proven ability to inspire teams, develop supervisors and staff, drive accountability, navigate change, and build a high-performing, service-oriented culture
• Experience with stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements and operational needs while delivering clear communication, responsiveness, and a positive experience for internal and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills, including experience developing metrics and reports
• The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently to diverse internal and external audiences
• Attention to detail, bringing high level precision and organization while ensuring accuracy and consistency across all responsibilities

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management, Business Management, Communications or a related field.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of progressive and supervisory experience in airport operations, airport management, or experience at a commercial airport or a military facility environment at an Administrator or supervisor level or higher.
• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• License/Certifications: This job requires driving. Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
• Completion of Airport Security Coordinator (ASC) classroom training by a source recognized and approved by the Transportation Security Administration within six months of employment.
• Completion of intermediate and managerial National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) training to fulfill Section Chief and potential Incident Commander responsibilities within six months of employment.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of