Salary : $167,003.00 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: 1109
Business Area: 2111 - Airport Management
Personnel Area: 2440 - Airport Management
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATIONThe Economic Development Department's Airports Division is hiring a Program Manager to lead the Airports Lease Administration Team at the City's two general aviation airports: Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and Brown Field Airport. The team provides comprehensive real estate and property management services for approximately 1,420 acres across both airports. It also negotiates private development agreements and manages a portfolio of approximately 300 aeronautical and non-aeronautical real estate agreements.
This management-level position reports to the Chief of Airports and oversees a team of three staff members. The Program Manager is responsible for directing all leasing activities at both City airports and ensuring compliance with City and State requirements, as well as Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The position also leads complex real estate negotiations, supervises and develops staff, and plans and directs highly complex real estate transactions requiring advanced professional knowledge and expertise. In addition, the Program Manager provides leadership and direction while developing and implementing policies and procedures.
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement. This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies within the Department.
Key Areas of Responsibility:- Management of EDD's Airports Division Lease Administration Team.
- Oversight of Real Estate Portfolio (Approximately 300 agreements).
- Negotiating complex real estate transactions.
- Supervising and developing staff.
- Planning and directing difficult, highly complex special projects.
- Developing Lease Administration policies and procedures
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in business administration, real estate, business management, airport management or a related field, and
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in local government real estate administration; Or any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Any combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.
- Experience negotiating, interpreting and administering complex aeronautical and commercial lease agreements, licenses, permits and other real estate agreements;
- Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex workloads while establishing priorities, driving accountability and meeting critical deadlines;
- Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences, including various levels of City management and members of the public;
- Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment;
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions;
- Knowledge of public sector real estate principles, laws and government processes;
- A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility and innovation in government;
- Collaborative skill in working with other city departments, businesses, the public, and other government agencies;
- Ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment;
- Strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills;
- Technologically proficient, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Zoom.
- Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high performing teams;
- Strong interpersonal leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders;
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment, with tight time constraints, addressing the needs of multiple stakeholders; and,
- Demonstrated exceptional ability to manage and motivate people and teams.
Desirable Qualifications:The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- Accreditation or Certification by the American Association of Airport Executives, or willingness to pursue;
- Leasing or management experience at a public airport.
Benefits:The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
- , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
- A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
- 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
- Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
- Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
- Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
- Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
- Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
- Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
- Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
- City-paid life insurance.
For additional details, please review the or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.
Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.
Click Here to Apply:
The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
- , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
- A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
- 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
- Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
- Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
- Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
- Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
- Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
- Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
- Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
- City-paid life insurance.
For additional details, please review the or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.
