It Director Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Airport IT Director

 Salary Range: $143,207 - $179,144

 Posting Expires: July 9. 2026

 General Description and Classification Standards:

The Innovation Research & Development Director in the Aviation Information Systems (AIS) Department is responsible for driving technology research and innovation strategies that align with the airport's business objectives. This role leads the evaluation and implementation of emerging technologies, ensuring they enhance operational efficiency, passenger experience, and long-term IT sustainability. The Director will oversee a team of IT professionals, researchers, and engineers to conduct thorough analyses of technology trends and solutions while collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical foundation in enterprise IT, innovation frameworks, and emerging technologies, coupled with leadership skills to foster a culture of continuous technological advancement. 

Supervision Received:

Reports to Chief Data Officer (CDO) with broad autonomy to develop and implement research driven technology initiatives.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. 

Strategic Technology Leadership

     o Develop and execute an innovation strategy aligned with business and operational objectives.

     o Identify and assess cutting-edge aviation IT solutions, including artificial intelligence, automation, IoT, and geospatial technologies.

     o Provide thought leadership on the adoption and scaling of emerging technologies within AIS.

     o Advocate for funding and resource allocation to support R&D initiatives.

Research & Development Execution

     o Lead and manage a cross-functional team in researching, piloting, and deploying innovative IT solutions.

     o Analyze industry trends, competitive landscapes, and regulatory requirements to inform technology investments.

     o Establish partnerships with research institutions, technology vendors, and industry leaders to drive innovation.

Solution Evaluation & Implementation

     o Oversee proof-of-concept projects, ensuring rigorous testing and alignment with business goals.

     o Develop business cases, ROI analyses, and feasibility studies for proposed innovations.

     o Ensure that new technology solutions meet security, compliance, and operational resilience standards.

Stakeholder Collaboration & IT Governance

     o Work closely with airport operations, security, airlines, and government agencies to align technology initiatives with operational needs.

     o Drive stakeholder engagement by translating complex IT concepts into business-friendly solutions.

     o Ensure compliance with IT governance frameworks, cybersecurity policies, and regulatory requirements.

Data Management & Analytics Innovation

     o Oversee the integration and governance of research-generated data, ensuring data quality, accessibility, and alignment with enterprise-wide data strategies.

     o Implement AI-driven analytics and predictive modeling tools to enhance decision-making  capabilities.

     o Establish data-sharing frameworks and platforms that support cross-functional research and development.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

     o Develop KPIs and performance metrics to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

     o Foster a culture of continuous learning by identifying opportunities for process improvements and emerging technology training.

     o Conduct periodic reviews of implemented technologies to ensure optimal performance and scalability.

Additional Responsibilities

Represent AIS at industry conferences, technology forums, and innovation summits.

Prepare reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations for executive leadership.

May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

 Leadership & Strategy: Ability to develop and execute long-term technology innovation strategies aligned with business objectives.

 Research & Analysis: Strong skills in evaluating market trends, assessing technology feasibility, and conducting cost-benefit analyses.

 Project Management: Expertise in managing complex IT projects, including proof-of-concept development, vendor coordination, and enterprise-level deployment.

 Data Analytics & AI Integration: Proficiency in leveraging data-driven insights and implementing AI-driven analytics for predictive decision-making.

 Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Strong ability to translate complex technical information into business-friendly language and engage stakeholders at all levels.

 Negotiation & Vendor Management: Experience in contract negotiations, vendor selection, and managing relationships with external service providers.

 Problem-Solving & Innovation: Creative problem-solving skills to drive innovative technology solutions and process improvements.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience 

Master's degree in computer science or engineering (equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis). 7 years' of leadership/management experience.
Preferred Requirements - The ideal candidate is a visionary IT leader with a strong background in emerging technologies, digital transformation, and data-driven innovation, capable of driving strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and fostering partnerships to advance aviation IT solutions.

Education & Certifications: Master's in IT, Computer Science, Business, or related field. Certifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, PMP, AWS/Azure Architect, or AI/ML-related credentials preferred. 

 Industry Experience: Aviation, transportation, or public sector experience with knowledge of FAA regulations, cybersecurity standards, and airport IT ecosystems.

 IT & Innovation Leadership: Proven success in enterprise-wide innovation, AI, IoT, automation, cloud migration, and digital transformation.

 Data Strategy & Analytics: Experience with big data, predictive modeling, AI/ML, and business intelligence tools (Tableau, Power BI, Snowflake).

 Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Strong ability to manage executive relationships, negotiate vendor contracts, and drive cost-effective IT investments.

 Change Management & Transformation: Expertise in leading digital transformation, implementing agile methodologies, and ensuring user adoption.

Work Environment 

Lifting Requirements: 

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta ("COA") that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

 The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran's status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.