Program Manager Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $92,300.00 - $175,400.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191720
Agency: Aeronautics Commission
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online.
Class Code:: AH55
Position Number:: 61000801
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN13
Hiring Range - Min.: $100,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $140,000.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? The SC Aeronautics Commission is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.
The Program Manager III serves as the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission's Program Manager of Airport Development and Deputy Director of SC Aeronautics. This position is responsible for directing and administering statewide airport development, grant management, and airport maintenance programs that support South Carolina's public-use airport system. This position provides leadership and oversight statewide aviation infrastructure investments, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, engineering standards, and agency objectives. This position may also manage facility capital improvement programs, and maintenance initiatives.
As Deputy Director, this position assists the Executive Director in the administration and strategic management of agency operations, policies, programs, and personnel. The Deputy Director exercises delegated authority on behalf of the Executive Director and provides executive-level leadership to advance the Commission's mission of fostering safe, efficient, and economically beneficial aviation infrastructure and air transportation services throughout South Carolina.
Responsibilities of Program Manager III (Deputy Director):

• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implements management policies and initiatives and promotes teamwork.
• Lead the planning, administration, and oversight of state airport development programs, including airport capital improvement grants, maintenance grants, aviation infrastructure initiatives and a statewide aviation education grant program. Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, state requirements, engineering standards, and agency policies while maximizing investment in South Carolina's public-use airport system and supporting aviation workforce development and educational outreach initiatives.
• Provide professional engineering leadership and technical expertise for airport planning, design, construction, maintenance, and capital improvement projects. May review engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, and project documentation.
• Represent the agency before airport sponsors, local governments, consultants, contractors, professional organizations, legislative bodies, and federal agencies. Coordinate activities among stakeholders to advance aviation infrastructure, economic development, and transportation objectives throughout South Carolina.
• Oversee the statewide program to promote and maintain land use compatibility around airports. Collaborate with local governments, planning agencies, and stakeholders to integrate aviation considerations into land use planning. Provide guidance, technical expertise, and resources to address land use conflicts and mitigate risks to airport operations and safety. Advocate for policies and practices that preserve the operational integrity and long-term viability of South Carolina's airports.
• Following state procurement guidelines, lead selection and oversight of statewide airport maintenance contracts that support the safety, preservation, and operational readiness of South Carolina's public-use airports. Develop technical specifications, scopes of work, bid documents and contract requirements for airport pavement maintenance, airfield electrical maintenance, vegetation control, obstruction management, pavement marking, automated weather observation stations (AWOS) and other airport maintenance activities. Coordinate with airport sponsors and contractors on the availability and administration of this program.
• Assist the Executive Director in the strategic planning, administration, and management of agency programs, personnel, budgets. and operations. Exercise delegated authority on behalf of the Executive Director and provide leadership in the development and implementation of agency policies. initiatives, and strategic objectives.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, airport engineering, aviation management, construction management, or a closely related field.
• Experience in the management of airport/transportation related capital improvement programs.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be capable of statewide travel.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.
Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with relevant software including Microsoft products, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and ArcGIS.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare technical reports, presentations, correspondence, and policy recommendations.

Additional Comments

• Position may require overnight travel.
• Position may require employee to work evenings, weekends, and during emergency situations.
• Position requires routine driver duties.
• Position requires up-to-date certifications.
• Position requires essential declaration.

The SC Aeronautics Commission is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
The SC Aeronautics Commission offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

1. Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click for additional information.
2. 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
3. 15 days sick leave per year
4. 13 paid holidays
5. Paid Parental Leave
6. S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
7. Retirement benefit choices *
   1. State Retirement Plan
   2. State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, airport engineering, aviation management, construction management, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess experience in the management of airport/transportation related capital improvement programs?

• Yes
• No

04
Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to this position.
05
Do you possess a valid Class D driver's license, or if you do not already have one, do you have the ability to obtain a Class D driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you willing to complete routine driver duties?

• Yes
• No

07
Are you willing to travel for work when required?

• Yes
• No

08
Are you willing to travel overnight?

• Yes
• No

09
Are you willing to work evenings, weekends and during emergency situations?

• Yes
• No

10
How did you hear about this position?

• SC State Jobs Website - jobs.sc.gov
• Indeed.com
• LinkedIn.com
• A current employee
• A former employee
• Other (please specify below)

11
If you answered "other" to the question above, please specify where you heard about this position below.
Required Question