Chief Commercial Officer (LGP)

About Vantage Group

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 Role
The Chief Commercial Officer, LaGuardia Gateway Partners (CCO, LGP) is responsible for the development and implementation of the organization's commercial concession business development and marketing and communications strategies that drive revenue, business growth and profitability, and guest experience initiatives to drive a world class experience. 

The CCO, LGP serves the executive team of LGP with responsibility for optimizing non-aeronautical  revenue streams within all airport facilities to be managed by LGP. The CCO, LGP leads and oversees commercial development, marketing, including air services development, and community outreach and stakeholder involvement. With a focus on maximizing value and meeting or exceeding customer expectations, the CCO, LGP achieves enhanced revenues from specialty retail, duty-free, food and beverage, news and gifts, e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, and other innovative Terminal B initiatives.

Able to lead a diverse workforce, the CCO, LGP fosters a culture of service quality, continuous improvement and safety by working collaboratively to develop and achieve performance objectives in keeping with international airports’ best practices. A seasoned business leader, the CCO is responsible for identifying commercial and business risks, and consulting appropriately to develop risk mitigation plans. As part of the LGP executive team, the CCO is accountable for driving performance, building effective teams, and championing LGP's approach to excellence in airport terminal management

Primary Responsibilities:

Executive Team

• Serves as the champion for profitable revenue growth that drives increased shareholder value.
• Functions as a business partner and counselor to the CEO and other leaders in the organization, developing and implementing new initiatives designed to advance the Company’s overall agenda, including the development, refinement and implementation of the strategic plan.
• Acts as a leader within the organization, representing the executive team and championing organizational goals and objectives both internally and externally.
• 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 LGP's reputation.
• Provides executive leadership in emergency situations, and in coordination with appropriate authorities; consistently cultivates a culture of safety and security.

Functional Area

• Business Development and Marketing.
• Develops and implements a long term comprehensive strategic commercial marketing plan for Terminal B, drawing on best practice in the industry, to drive revenues, including identification of areas of focus where commercial revenues can be increased.
• Oversees and leads business development, market research and marketing of Terminal B facilities, properties and services.
• Develops strong working relationships with the Company’s Shareholders; represents and positions Terminal B at the most senior levels with key government and industry contacts.
• Forges strategic relationships with airlines and commercial stakeholders; leads or oversees the structuring and negotiation of all Terminal B key commercial agreements (including airline rates, fees and charges).
• Builds Terminal B’s profile through leading the Communications and Marketing function; promotes the Company through industry events, community outreach, marketing campaigns, and other stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Develops and grows all Terminal B revenue bases which may include air service for passengers, customer satisfaction programs, parking strategies, commercial properties, e­ commerce and digital marketing and concessions.
• Implements processes to monitor and enhance the performance of all commercial services and products.
• Ensures the smooth day to day functioning of all Terminal B commercial and retail areas, including property management, pricing decisions, and contract management Prepares, procures and/or administer all sub-contracts in accordance with the terms of relevant agreements, including duty free/duty paid and specialty retail, food and beverage, banking services, office and other space rentals, and advertising.
• Promotes safety in all respective departments and throughout the organization.
• Construction Phase Liaison.

Growth and Development of LGP

• Develops and implements programs to promote delivery of service excellence and ensure commercial thinking is central to both LGP's and concessionaires' behaviours and actions.
• Proactively manages business partner relationships to create ''win-win" opportunities and develop Terminal B as a location of choice.
• Builds on current processes to ensure Terminal B has the optimum mix of operators, that customer satisfaction levels are increasing, and that revenue growth objectives are being achieved.
• Gathers current information on key competition and critical business issues facing the airport commercial functions and develops risk mitigation plans to address.

Environment/ Sustainability

• Fosters a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability within Commercial. / Business Development.

People Leadership

• 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.
• Reviews departmental effectiveness, assesses staffing needs, and develops recommendations for organizational change, including succession planning.
• Motivates and equips direct reports for optimal performance, and works collaboratively to establish individual development plans.
• 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.

Other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the position may be assigned.

Primary Qualifications:

With a Business degree (aviation/business/operations related) or equivalent, you have at least 15 years of progressive multi-disciplinary airport operations experience, including 10 years in a management role.

About You:

• Ability to foster ongoing relationships with network airports and stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of financial/budget management.
• Curious about the “why” and able to thrive in ambiguity.
• Public speaking and presentations skills for a variety of audiences, including board and executive level.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary operational audits and showcase effective leadership.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of project management & delivery techniques.
• Demonstrable business acumen.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills for the resolution of operational problems.
• Able to be a self-starter and make effective decisions with minimal supervision.
• A team player focused on effective operational performance in a complex environment.
• Aptitude for critical problem solving and conflict resolution, with the ability to maintain objectivity and impartiality.
• Ability to multitask, manage time and respond well under pressure (e.g., emergency situations, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to travel within North America and Internationally as required.

Primary Work Location: LaGuardia Airport

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 position is $225,000 - $300,000.

To apply  Please visit our Careers page at:

https://www.vantagegroup.com/careers/ 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 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.