WHO WE ARE

Passionate about People, Place, and Performance, Vantage Airport Group is a leading investor, developer, and manager of airports and transportation infrastructure around the world. Since 1994, Vantage has made more than 30 airports more efficient, profitable, sustainable, and connected to the communities they serve. Its current network is composed of 13 active airport and rail station operations, in locations ranging from large capital cities and tourist destinations to smaller destinations in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.  

Notable network locations include the award-winning new $5.1B LaGuardia Terminal B in New York, named the 2022 World’s Best New Airport Terminal by Skytrax, and major concessions programs at Chicago Midway International Airport, Kansas City International Airport’s new terminal, and Philadelphia’s historic William H. Gray III 30th Street Station. Together, Vantage airports served 53 million passengers in 2022, traveling on 160 different airlines to 265 global destinations. Vantage is a wholly owned strategic platform of Corsair Infrastructure Partners for capital deployment in the airport sector.  

Vantage’s latest airport terminal project is the $4.2B development of a new world class international Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), now underway. The Vantage-led team at JFK Millennium Partners is developing Terminal 6 in two phases, with the first gates opening in 2026 and construction completion in 2028. This new, 1.2 million square foot international terminal on the north side of JFK will feel like a boutique luxury hotel, featuring bright and airy check-in and arrivals areas, NYC-inspired shopping, dining and amenities, premium lounges, and generous seating areas. The redevelopment will transform the guest experience at Terminal 6 while offering numerous opportunities for minority, women-owned (MWBE), service-disabled, veteran-owned (SDVOB) and local business enterprises (LBEs).   

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the JFK Terminal 6 & 7 Redevelopment Project, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), JMP will be focused on supporting the redevelopment and eventual operations of the new terminals.  This role will be tasked with developing and delivering on an extraordinary plan to deliver the Company’s strategic priorities in the areas of operational, guest service excellence and financial execution of the companies plan, including delivering outstanding safety, security and operational performance, an exceptional and seamless experience across all stakeholders, maximizing commercial revenue through aeronautical and non-aeronautical programs, and implementing processes and driving metrics across the organization and its partners.  The COO will be a collaborative leader with political acumen and able to deliver excellent operational performance and business goals.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Team

• Work alongside the CEO and top leadership team to develop, refine and implement the organization’s Strategic Plan
• Contributes to the effectiveness of the senior leadership team through a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach; coordinates with other departments in establishing and carrying out terminal projects, including capital projects
• Keeps the CEO fully informed on important and relevant issues in a timely manner; prepares and presents reports on departmental performance as requested by the CEO
• Represents the airport externally with government and industry stakeholders in a variety of settings, including negotiating with airlines, concession tenants, labor unions, the client, authorities, subcontractors, etc.
• Models and promotes honest and ethical conduct within the leadership team and throughout the organization; appropriately handles actual or apparent conflicts of interest, meets standards of full disclosure, and consistently acts in the organization’s long-term interest, serving to preserve and enhance JMP and Vantage’s reputation
• Provides executive leadership in emergency situations, and in coordination with appropriate authorities; consistently cultivates a culture of safety and security
• Motivate and equip direct reports for optimal performance and work collaboratively to establish individual development plans

Functional Areas:

Terminal Operations

• Ensures that Terminals 6 & 7 operate safely, securely and efficiently, complying with all regulations, policies and contractual obligations while applying best practices in airport management
• Reviews and compares performance against operating plans, standards, and customer service expectations as stipulated in contractual documents and in airline agreements; works to solve problems and overcome recurring issues to meet business requirements and achieve desired service levels
• Ensures processes are in place to track, evaluate, and report on inspections, repair requests, incidents / claims / accidents relevant to Operations
• Develops specific short- and long-term goals and objectives for the Operations group, including preparing supporting budget requests and financial estimates
• Develops performance measurements for key areas of operations; works with functional leads to use performance results to drive a culture of continuous improvement
• Develops and recommends corporate policies relevant to the department and that comply with contract and regulatory requirements
• Makes effective use of technology in operations
• Develops tenders for outsourced services; negotiate and contract with approved vendors in support of Company’s MWBE goals
• Reviews departmental effectiveness, assesses staffing needs, and develop recommendations for organizational change, including succession planning
• Oversees and administers multiple staff teams and contractors that contribute to Terminal 6 & 7 operations, including facilities, IT, commercial and marketing and operations

Budgets and Capital Projects

• Develops and manages the operational and capital budgets within the department; ensures that variance analyses and forecasts are prepared as required
• Directs, controls, and oversees budget spending, planned projects, and labor efficiency; takes the lead in prioritizing the work of the department and provides timely reports regarding departmental deliverables
• For capital projects, provides the analytical justification that supports investment and liaises effectively with project teams to ensure project execution on time and on budget

Risk

• Identifies and reports on operational risks, and develops risk mitigation plans
• Leads the development and implementation of the Safety Management System for the applicable Terminals
• Maintains compliance with safety, security and regulatory standards, including maintenance of relevant records
• In conjunction with other departments and external stakeholders as needed, leads, develops and implements an Emergency Response Plan.

Construction Phase Liaison

• Provides design and construction phase input to ensure operational considerations are taken into account
• Collaborates with the Project Team on operational matters in relation to the phased construction of the new Terminals 6, including coordination, testing, commissioning and implementation
• Liaises with the Project leads to jointly ensure that the applicable terminal operates safely, securely and efficiently, complying with all regulations, policies and contractual obligations during construction phasing

People Leadership

• Motivates and equips direct reports for optimal performance, and works collaboratively to establish individual development plans
• Reviews departmental effectiveness, assesses staffing needs, and develops recommendations for organizational change, including succession planning
• Creates a culture that puts value on the customer experience, and promotes professional excellence at all times
• Maintains effective communications within area of responsibility; keeps employees informed regarding organizational and departmental plans and progress
• Ensures appropriate training plans are in place and implemented for all staff and contractors for their respective area of responsibility and in accordance with company policies
• Takes effective action on personnel issues

Customer Experience

• Fosters a focus on processing passengers safely and expediently with a goal of positive inbound and outbound passenger experiences
• Creates a culture that drives delivering an exceptional guest experience across all Terminal 6 & 7 stakeholders and promotes professional excellence at all times. Develop the commercial program to achieve best-in-class revenue and service performance. Utilize technology and sales performance information to actively manage business performance
• Keeps abreast of guest experience and operational excellence trends in the industry and in similar industries with a focus on ensuring Terminal 6 remains at the forefront of innovation and performance excellence
• Reviews and compares performance against operating plans, standards, and customer service expectations as stipulated in contractual documents and in airline agreements; works to solve problems and overcome recurring issues to meet business requirements and achieve desired service levels

Other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position may be assigned by the CEO, JMP.

Education and qualifications 

• At least 10 years’ experience a senior operations role, ideally in an aviation or airport setting with at least 5 years in management position 
• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or college in aviation, business administration, or other relevant field 
• Experience working effectively in a regulated environment 
• Exceptional written and verbal communications and relationship building skills 
• Organization and planning skills crucial for multi-tasking while prioritizing and executing tasks 
• Ability to diffuse and manage situations in high pressure situations   

ABOUT YOU 

You have strong operational skills combined with the ability to build solid, effective relationships with all levels of stakeholders, project management and organizational experience, and your professional experience is supplemented by a relevant degree from an accredited university.  This role suits a collaborative team player who can also work independently, is self-motivated, enthusiastic and comfortable working with a diverse set of stakeholders. You are calm under pressure, and deftly apply your practical experience, technical expertise, and innovative ideas to the success of the operations and the support of the senior leadership.   

Additionally, you have: 

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• Exceptional attention to detail and time management
• A keen sense of what is required to continually improve the customer journey while ensuring safety, security and operational excellence are maintained
• Strong communication and organizational skills for interactions all levels of management and the ability to multitask in a busy work environment
• A preference for working with an entrepreneurial, fast-paced team
• Demonstrated superior business acumen coupled with strategic, analytical and creative skills
• An ability to manage multiple projects, without compromising quality
• A passion for learning

WHAT WE OFFER

In addition to a competitive compensation and benefits package, career progression, and access to a global team of talented professionals, we are growing and offer boundless opportunities to make your mark.  If you share our sense of adventure, come, and join us for the journey.

The salary range for this role is $250,000 - $300,000 USD.

TO APPLY

Please visit our Careers page at www.vantageairportgroup.com and follow prompts to apply with your cover letter and résumé.

All qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in the US will be considered.

At Vantage Airport Group, we seek and welcome unique backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and skills. As a global organization, we are always looking for differentiated points of view. We know that a diverse, inclusive and empowered workforce is essential to our shared success, and we invite you to join us for the journey.

For more information about Vantage Airport Group, please visit:  www.vantageairportgroup.com