SARASOTA MANATEE AIRPORT AUTHORITY
JOB TITLE: Chief of Staff (COS)
REPORTS TO: President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
DEPARTMENT: Administration
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Grade: E55
Closing Date: Monday, 02/09/2026 **
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Salary Range: $146,001- $210,000
JOB SUMMARY
Serves in a senior leadership role to support the President, Chief Executive Officer providing high level executive support, managing strategic initiatives, and serving as a key liaison with stakeholders and key partners. Oversees large, cross-functional projects from development to execution aligning teams, improving processes, and ensuring organizational goals are met.
Work is performed under the supervision of the President, Chief Executive Officer and requires independent judgment, discretion, initiative, and collaborative ability.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Acts as an operational extension of the President, Chief Executive Officer to drive long-term strategic initiatives and ensure Departmental goals align with the Airport's broader mission.
Leads and oversees major strategic projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, driving decisions, and tracking progress from development to completion.
Manages diverse programs and initiatives, bringing stakeholders together, removing obstacles, and ensuring timely, effective execution.
Serves as a strategic partner and liaison, preparing leaders for meetings, managing communications, and translating vision to action.
Addresses critical issues, troubleshoots roadblocks, and resolves complex organizational challenges.
Ensures that the President, Chief Executive Officer's priorities are addressed promptly and adequately; ensures organizational activities align with the organizational vision.
Manages the flow of information between the President, Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Leadership Team to streamline decision making.
Tracks key metrics and organizational progress, often serving as a facilitator for Senior Leadership Team meetings and Board interactions.
Consults frequently with the President, Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Leadership Team to identify issues affecting the airport. Works with staff to solve problems and find solutions, bridging gaps and facilitating collaboration across Departments.
Cultivates strong relationships with airlines, federal agencies, local government, businesses, and the community.
Acts as a bridge between Departments and key partners to align goals and resolve issues.
Performs other related duties as required.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Personal Computer and other electronic devices.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Where "preferred" is indicated, the qualification is not essential.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management or related field.
Master's degree in aviation management or other related field, preferred.
Seven (7) years' experience in an airport management capacity of which at least three (3) years must be engaged in large scale program/project oversight.
Licenses and Certifications:
Certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) or Airports Council International (ACI), preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of airport operations.
Ability to navigate complex and dynamic environments with flexibility and adaptability.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
Excellent time management skills.
Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.
Exceptional project and program management.
High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management.
Understanding of airport-specific challenges, including regulatory compliance, safety standards, and stakeholder relationship.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, FAA rules and regulations and airport policies regarding airport operations, safety, and security,
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Analytical and data-driven decision- making skills.
Strong ability to plan, organize, assign, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with fellow team members, executives, officials, employees, consultants, tenants, the public, and other key partners.
Physical Requirements:
The Chief of Staff must be diligent in adhering to all work-related safety rules, procedures and regulations and take the precautions necessary to comply with the Airport Authority safety policy.
Mental Requirements:
As an Chief of Staff, the employee must have the mental capacity to provide support to all departments; must be capable of successfully interacting with employees, outside agencies and the general public, develop and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, fellow employees, outside agencies and the general public and have the mental capacity to provide support to the President, CEO.
Environmental Requirements:
The Chief of Staff works in an office environment, and inside the airport terminal.
Summary Clause:
The duties and responsibilities listed in this job class specification are intended only as illustrations of the various duties to be performed and are not all inclusive. The omission of other specific duties does not exclude them from being performed by the, Chief of Staff if the duties are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job class specification does not constitute an employment contract between SMAA and the Chief of Staff and is subject to change at the discretion of the Airport Authority.
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.