GENERAL SUMMARY

The Sr. Director of Properties provides strategic leadership for the Indianapolis Airport Authority's (IAA) commercial real estate portfolio and property assets, reporting to the Executive Director of the IAA. This role oversees property development, leasing, asset performance, and land-use strategy across the airport system to support aviation growth, economic development, and long-term revenue generation.

The position leads complex lease negotiations and development transactions, manages strategic relationships with airlines, tenants, developers, government agencies, and community stakeholders, and ensures alignment between commercial operations and the IAA's strategic priorities. The role also supports airport master planning, terminal and airline space planning, capital development initiatives, and future land development opportunities.

This position oversees a diverse portfolio that includes airport land, terminal leaseholds, airline support facilities, office and warehouse properties, hangars, and cargo facilities. There is collaboration with the Indianapolis Maintenance Center, and the Indianapolis International Airport Westin hotel (tentative opening late 2027), etc. Additionally, there may be some collaboration with the Commercial Enterprise team on projects related to the Greater Indianapolis Foreign Trade Zone. The Sr. Director is responsible for maximizing asset value, operational performance, customer experience, and financial results across these properties.

In addition, this Senior Director provides leadership for departmental operations, including budgeting, capital planning, property systems, compliance, and team development, while serving as a visible representative of the IAA within the aviation industry and central Indiana business community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Property & Portfolio Management

• Lead the development and execution of long-term commercial real estate, land use, and facility strategies across IAA properties and commercial assets.
• Drive portfolio performance through revenue optimization, asset utilization, and alignment with organizational goals and Board priorities.
• Partner with executive leadership on airport master planning, terminal development, airline space allocation, and airline use agreements.
• Identify and evaluate emerging trends in aviation, commercial real estate, hospitality, and economic development to support sustainable growth and innovation.
• Provide strategic oversight of key commercial assets, including the Indianapolis International Airport Westin hotel.

Leasing, Development & Stakeholder Relations

• Lead lease negotiations, renewals, amendments, and development agreements with airlines, tenants, developers, and strategic partners/stakeholders.
• Oversee lease administration, contract compliance, property records, billing coordination, and reporting in partnership with Finance and Legal teams.
• Support commercial development transactions, including land releases, appraisals, due diligence, and coordination with FAA and governmental agencies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airline partners, tenants, municipalities, developers, and regional business leaders.
• Resolve tenant and operational issues while maintaining a high level of customer service and collaboration.

Economic Development, Capital Projects & Operational Performance

• Advance strategic economic development initiatives that strengthen central Indiana's business ecosystem and reinforce the airport system's role as a regional economic engine
• Champion capital improvement projects that enhance and modernize airport facilities and commercial assets within the Properties portfolio
• Oversee operational and financial performance for commercial properties and related business units, including budgeting and P&L accountability.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, and capital investments to ensure achievement of financial and strategic objectives.
• Promote operational excellence, sustainability, customer experience, and community engagement across all property and development activities.

Leadership & Organizational Collaboration

• Provide oversight and direction to direct reports.
• Coach, counsel, mentor and develop direct reports, including oversight of performance reviews and providing career development planning and opportunities.
• Empower direct reports to take responsibility for their job and goals, delegating responsibility and expecting regular feedback and accountability.
• Lead direct reports to regularly exercise the organization's five (5) Strategic Pillars of Customer Service, Economic Development, Stability & Sustainability, Workforce Development and Community Engagement.

• Collaborate with Operations, Planning & Development, Finance, Legal, and other departments on enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Represent the IAA through preparation of Board materials and participation in industry associations, stakeholder meetings, and community engagement activities.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with lease obligations, procurement standards, FAA regulations, state requirements, and IAA policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate property documentation, agreements, systems, and reporting to support transparency and operational accountability.
• Understanding of FAA regulations will be critical to the success of this role.

• Perform other related functions, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Real Estate or related field.
• Minimum Ten (10) years of progressively responsible commercial property management experience, including demonstrated success in managing tenant relationships, lease compliance/quality and budget / P&L responsibility.
• Minimum eight (8) - ten (10) years of experience managing, supervising and directing professional staff.

• Excellent decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to read and understand laws, regulations, and legal documents and to disseminate appropriate information to staff regarding same
• Experience in project management with the ability to establish plans, set priorities, coordinate activities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, and manage resources to achieve goals.
• Strong written and verbal communications with all levels of workplace with excellent listening skills.
• Strong knowledge of customer service best-practices in land and property leasing.
• A valid driver's license and demonstrated good driving record.

• Ability to listen and communicate; exercising good judgment to form decisions and carry out assigned duties.

• Proficient in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.).
• Excellent organizational skills to manage their own work but also assist others.
• Must be able to maintain extreme confidentiality.
• Basic understanding of accounting / financial principles.
• Able to consistently deliver accurate information, data and analysis.

• Skill in implementing a change effort or transforming revenue management processes and introducing best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to use tools and methodologies to drive business process improvements and deliver solid business and revenue-generating results.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience building, evaluating, and clearly presenting complex business transactions
• Proven negotiation and management skills with ability to quickly analyze business problems and diagnose business strengths and weaknesses, identifying key issues and developing strategies and plans in support of IAA's strategic pillars.
• Ability to systematically evaluate business opportunities and target those opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive business results and revenue.
• Ability to prioritize multiple concurrent projects.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to walk, sit, use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, balance, stop, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25+ pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Operate a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license. Use of a computer and other personal assistance devices (tablets or mobile phone) are a must for this position.

• Work Environment: This position is performed within an office environment at least 90% of the time. The other 10%, the employee will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. With multiple worksites the noise level varies from the office environment and the outside environment. The incumbent in this position is expected to work independently and as part of the team.

DIRECT REPORTS

• Properties positions; a total of three positions with oversight to third party contracts / employment base