Manager, Airport Relations

Description

On April 28, 2021, Avelo took flight as America’s first new airline in nearly 15 years – ushering in a new era of affordable, convenient, and reliable air travel. Founded and led by airline industry veteran, Andrew Levy, along with a team of world-class airline executives, we endeavored to build a different and better kind of airline with one mission in mind: “To inspire travel” and we’ve done so with industry-leading reliability and a caring Soul of Service. If you are looking for the opportunity to join a new and exciting airline that offers the chance to truly make your mark on aviation history, keep reading!

PURPOSE: The Manager of Airport Relations will develop and maintain all aspects of the relationship with airport/communities we serve or expect to serve through communication, negotiations, and administration of our agreements that promote our company values and maintain customer service excellence. This position also is a key role in purchasing for operations at the airport and a critical link to the government agencies involved with the airports we serve or intend to serve.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with each assigned Airport and Airport Leadership Team.
• Regular communication and visits to airports, compliance with all due dates in the various agreements for reporting, payment, advance schedules, and other required information.
• Lead and/or Attend Airline/Airport Affairs Committee Meetings
• Coordinate routine performance meetings regarding cost and routes with Airport Leadership and Network Planning.
• Develop and implement strategies for reviewing and analyzing airport budgets, airport capital projects, and lease agreements, to identify and negotiate reductions in them with the guidance of Leadership.
• Actively coordinate and collaborate with airports higher performance to support our intended Customer experience.
• Develop and implement strategies for negotiating airport use and lease agreements and more complex development agreements under the guidance of Leadership.
• Reduce costs to operate at the airport we service.
• Develop and maintain a cost analysis for each airport.
• Understand the financial drivers of the cost model of each airport and provide alternatives to Leadership to evaluate cost savings opportunities.
• Participate in all airport decisions to the extent possible which will benefit our operations and economic return.
• Maintain understanding and the impacts of Airport’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), financially, operationally, and / or politically.
• Ensure impacts are addressed within the airline at the appropriate time and in the appropriate area.
• Ensure all projects are incorporated into the airline’s planning processes including budgeting and operations planning in future schedules.
• Negotiate lower costs at airports related to future projects and airport design.
• Maintain and monitor cost per enplanement or cost per departure statistics by airport and the impact of potential airport projects.
• Evaluate capital project scope and delivery approach for projects on behalf of the Airline in coordination with appropriate internal teams.
• Serve as the Airline’s representative for the Airport for all Administrative, Financial, and Planning Activities.
• Communicate with internal departments on Airport's current and forecasted rates.
• Coordinate with Finance, Airports and Operational Teams, Marketing, Communications, and Planning Teams.
• Maintain records and perform financial analysis. Develop models as necessary.
• Negotiate airport agreements for all airport support buildings and off airport real estate.
• Serve as the Corporate liaison to airport/facility landlord within respective portfolio.
• Work closely with commercial and operational departments to ensure adequate space is available to meet the plan.
• Develop and lead relationships with local, state, and federal politicians to ensure Avelo is in good standing at its airports and can effect change if/where possible.
  
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of finance, aviation/airline management or related experience.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of real estate assets.
• Contracting or related experience with contract negotiations and review of contract language.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
• Knowledge of financial analysis and modeling including knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data
• Ability to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning and resource allocation.
• Skilled in translating detailed information into high-level overview.
• Ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information.
• Conduct in-person, video, and audio meetings as necessary for procedure updates, problem solving, and reporting.
• Large group presentations to high impact audiences.
• Balancing and sequencing multiple objectives.
• Working under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Up to 50% travel to airports.
  
  
  

May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Responsibilities and duties may change when circumstances dictate. (e.g., emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technical developments)