Airports Division Assistant Manager / Deputy Spaceport Director

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above. Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank): October 17, 2026 Full/Part-Time: Full time

Job Type: Regular

Compensation: Salary range is $95,000 - $115,000.

Job Description: Basic Purpose: Assists the Airports Division Manager in administering and managing the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics' Airports Division mission and responsibilities and provides leadership, coordination, and professional guidance for staff responsible for airport engineering, planning, programming, construction, inspections, standards, and airport development activities. Serves as Deputy Spaceport Director for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport, supporting administration, operations, capital project management, planning, development, and strategic initiatives. Coordinates airport and spaceport programs with airport sponsors, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), consultants, local officials, tenants, governmental agencies, and other aviation and aerospace stakeholders. Supports the Airport Construction Program, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), airport and spaceport planning, infrastructure investment, funding initiatives, operational coordination, business development, and compliance with applicable federal and state requirements. The position requires strong leadership, communication, organization, and project management skills; in-state and occasional out-of-state travel. Position will be based in Oklahoma City but employee will be expected to travel to the spaceport in Burns Flat two days a week. Typical Functions: Assists the Airports Division Manager with administration of policies, procedures, work plans, budgets, and other administrative or resource needs. Provides leadership, professional guidance, and coordination to Division staff. Supports the establishment of priorities, coordinates activities, reviews work products, and monitors program and project progress. Coordinates engineering, planning, programming, construction, inspection, and airport development activities across the Division. Prepares, delivers, or reviews presentations, reports, correspondence, recommendations, and other materials for Department leadership. Performs special projects and other duties as assigned. Airport Planning, Development, Engineering, Construction and Stakeholder Engagement: Assists Division staff with oversight of the Airport Construction Program and related airport infrastructure activities from planning and design through construction and closeout to include CIP development, funding priorities, and infrastructure investment recommendations. Reviews preliminary engineering reports, cost estimates, plans, specifications, schedules, pay requests, inspections, documentation, and status reports. Provides guidance and technical assistance on airport design, construction, maintenance, pavement management, project scope, cost, schedule, and compliance as well as FAA orders, regulators, and standards to external stakeholders such as airport sponsors as well as to the Airports Division team. Coordinates with airport sponsors, consultants, contractors, FAA personnel, and Department staff to resolve technical, administrative, and project delivery issues. Provides guidance on master and system planning, airport layout plans, obstruction evaluations, environmental processes, facility requirements, demand and capacity analysis, land use compatibility, sustainability, airport standards, and related planning activities. Oversees the collection, analysis, maintenance, and distribution of airport system data, GIS information, aviation charts, airport directories, and other planning resources. Supports pro-growth aviation development activities at airports across the state and helps airport sponsors with crafting of business plans, recruitment efforts, and marketing strategies to highlight business development opportunities. Coordinates with the FAA and other agencies regarding airport and spaceport projects, federal funding, planning, standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Represents the Department at airport, spaceport, community, professional, educational, and intergovernmental meetings. Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport Operations and Business Development: Provides leadership and coordination for Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport operations, maintenance, safety, security, emergency management, and continuous improvement initiatives. Works with the Spaceport Director and Department leadership on strategic planning, business development, tenant and customer relationships, marketing, and event preparation. Coordinates external community, educational, governmental, and industry partnerships that support the growth and development of the Spaceport. Supports development and maintenance of spaceport operational requirements, minimum standards, rules, regulations, rates, charges, and other guiding documents. Leads Spaceport business development activities to recruit new aviation/aerospace and non-aeronautical tenants and grow/support the existing tenants located on the facility.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of airport and spaceport planning, development, operations, construction, maintenance, and capital improvement programming. Knowledge of FAA regulations, orders, advisory circulars, policies, procedures, design standards, and federal and state airport improvement programs. Ability to interpret and apply federal and state requirements to airport and spaceport projects and programs. Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to prepare, review, and present technical and administrative information. Self-starter with the ability to establish priorities, coordinate assignments, resolve issues, and make sound recommendations to management. Ability to develop effective working relationships with airport sponsors, FAA personnel, consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, tenants, local officials, and the public. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to use or understand GIS-based airport data and mapping systems. Ability to travel for airport and spaceport site visits, inspections, meetings, training, conferences, and other Department business.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in aviation, airport management, airport planning, civil engineering, construction, transportation, public administration, aerospace, or a closely related field. Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in airport engineering, airport planning, airport management, airport construction, aviation programs, airport or spaceport development, transportation, or a related field. Experience providing leadership, coordination, or professional guidance to staff, project teams, or stakeholders. Experience working with airport sponsors and/or federal or state aviation agencies.

Preferred Qualifications: Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation through the American Association of Airport Executives, or ability to attain the designation. Experience with FAA Airport Improvement Program, airport capital improvement programming, airport construction programs, or federal/state airport funding. Experience working directly with the FAA and public airport sponsors. Experience in aviation/airport business development and economic development leading expansion and recruitment efforts. Experience with GIS platforms such as ArcGIS.FAA private pilot certificate and/or Part 107 UAS certification. Experience with construction projects and contractor interactions. Experience in a public-sector aviation, aerospace, or aeronautical agency. Experience with operating water/wastewater systems or utilities.

Equal Opportunity Employment: The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.