Senior Airport Operations Manager - Airport Operations Center (AOC)

About Our Job

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.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers competitive pay commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $120,000 - $165,000/year. 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

Location & Schedule

In this position you can expect to work on-site five days a week at Denver International Airport (Airport Office Building). The standard schedule for this position is Monday - Friday; however, schedule and shifts will vary to ensure coverage seven (7) days a week and may adjust with short notice to ensure support for emergencies or events. This position may also require extended or additional work hours for snow duty and other emergencies (straight time overtime pay).

Who We Are & What You’ll Do

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.

Denver International Airport (DEN) is seeking an experienced Senior Airport Operations Manager to lead and shape our new Airport Operations Center (AOC). The AOC is a unified, cross-functional hub designed to enhance airport efficiency and resilience. By leveraging data-driven insights and proactive information sharing, the AOC anticipates and mitigates operational challenges, provides 360-degree situational awareness across all airport functions, sets priorities, and supports an exceptional customer experience. In this leadership role, you will have the unique opportunity to build and develop the AOC, bringing diverse work units together to create a collaborative, high-performing operations environment that drives innovation and operational excellence.

Specifically, as the Senior Airport Operations Manager, you will:

• Stakeholder Coordination : Lead a team and system that serves as the central coordination point for daily airport operations. The AOC will maintain continuous awareness of the airport’s operational environment, predicting what will happen and bringing stakeholders together to support timely decision-making and maintain efficient airport operations. This will include direct stakeholder engagement, timely and accurate notifications, coordination of virtual or in-person meetings to ensure collaboration, and analysis of data points to identify and mitigate potential issues.

• Compliance and Quality Assurance : Ensure daily operations align with regulatory requirements, quality or customer experience standards, and safety requirements. When there are disruptions to the smooth operation or flow of the airport, coordinate response from necessary partners and ensure a quick return to normal operations. When an event becomes an airport emergency, ensures the response of the airport and other agencies to effectively coordinate and manage in compliance with National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards.

• System Performance Monitoring : Track and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) for airport operations. Identify performance trends and use data insights to guide proactive strategic decision making. Ensure individual work units are accountable for optimal airport performance outcomes.

• Data Analysis and Reporting : Collect, interpret, and analyze operational data to produce reports and presentations for leadership. Highlight KPIs and system efficiencies. Assist in budget creation and tracking, invoice approvals, expenditure monitoring, and staffing analysis.

• Team Building and Management: Hire, lead, and develop a high-performing AOC team. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations to ensure operational excellence.

• Policy and Procedure Development: Create and implement policies, procedures, and operational protocols for the AOC to ensure consistency and compliance across airport functions.

• 24/7 Operational Readiness: Develop staffing plans, escalation protocols, and processes to maintain continuous operational coverage and situational awareness.

• Perform Other Duties as Assigned

What You’ll Bring

Strong collaboration with many workgroups and stakeholders is the basis of our success in moving toward DEN’s shared vision, mission, and goals. 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. Successfully developing and leading the Airport Operations Center and establishing its work will be a great source of satisfaction for you.

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

• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of systems used for communication, coordination, documentation, and data gathering.

• Airport Knowledge: Strong understanding of how the airport operates and what disrupts it. This includes what various groups are responsible for and what systems are critical to airport operations.

• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Proficiency in analyzing data, identifying root causes, and implementing effective solutions. Experience in strategic planning and operational process improvement within large-scale environments

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders including management, contractors, airlines, and maintenance teams. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Organizational Ability: Ability to build and lead a team of professionals, develop Standard Operating Procedures, multitask, working in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and ensuring system integrity.

• Policy & Procedures: Ability to develop policy and procedures for your team that will ensure they are continually looking ahead to anticipate potential issues and have the tools and authority to implement actions for the airport that will mitigate those issues.

• Emergency Management Familiarity: Understanding of emergency management principles and incident command systems to support coordination during disruptions or emergencies.

• Training & Certification: Complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training, Incident Command System (ICS) training, and obtain Airport Security Coordinator (ASC) certification recognized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within one year of hire.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirements: 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: Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

Additional Information

FBI Background Check: FBI criminal background check is required for all positions at Denver International Airport (DEN). Employees are also required to report any felony convictions and/or moving violations to maintain this clearance and be eligible for continued employment. By position, a pre-employment physical/drug test may be required.

Snow/Emergency Duties: Denver International Airport is a 24/7/365 team operation. If weather conditions warrant or an emergency crisis occurs, all DEN employees can be required to work extended hours and/or shifts.

Application Deadline

This position is expected to stay open until Sunday, March 22, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than 3/22/26 at 11:59 p.m. to ensure consideration.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CX2821 Airport Operations Manager Senior

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here .

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$115,683.00 - $196,661.00

Target Pay

$120,000 - $165,000/year

Agency

Denver International Airport

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

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Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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