Airport IT Operations Director

We’re the New Terminal One (NTO) at John F. Kennedy International Airport, a bold and exciting project to develop a world class, international terminal that can serve as a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the greater United States. The $9+ billion first phase is the largest single asset project financing in US history. It will be built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the former Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK’s south side. Construction will take place in phases, with the first phase, including the new arrivals and departures hall and first set of new gates, expected to open in 2026.

NTO will set a new standard for design and service and aspires to obtain a global Top 5 Skytrax rating as one of the finest ten airport terminals in the world.

The New Terminal One will be:

• a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal
• Sustainably designed and future focused
• Featuring expansive, naturally lit public spaces
• Cutting edge technology and an array of amenities
• Designed to enhance the customer experience
• Compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world.

Who You Are:

We are on the hunt for a visionary Airport IT Operations Director to lead our airport's IT landscape into the future. With your hands firmly on the helm, you'll be the architect of our IT operations, ensuring that our technology infrastructure is not just robust but also cutting-edge, aligning with the dynamic needs of airport operations and enhancing the travel experience for passengers.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Strategic Leadership: Craft and steer the IT strategy, syncing it with the airport's broader objectives. Your plans will not only be forward-thinking but also grounded, designed to elevate every aspect of our airport's IT operations.
• Infrastructure Oversight: Command the development, deployment, and maintenance of our critical IT infrastructure. This isn't just about keeping the lights on; it's about innovating and optimizing to ensure our systems are resilient and future-ready.
• Operational Excellence: From flight information systems to baggage handling, you'll ensure that every IT component operates flawlessly, supporting seamless airport operations and delivering top-notch passenger experiences.
• Incident Management: Be the calm in the storm, developing protocols that swiftly tackle IT incidents, minimizing their impact and ensuring the airport's operations hum along smoothly.
• Team Leadership: Guide, mentor, and inspire your IT team, fostering a culture where collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence are the norm.
• Compliance and Security: Ensure we're not just meeting but exceeding regulatory requirements and security standards, safeguarding our operations and our passengers' data.
• Vendor and Stakeholder Relations: Build strong bridges with IT vendors and stakeholders, ensuring that every partnership is productive and aligned with our high standards and service level expectations.
• Innovation and Improvement: Keep a pulse on emerging tech trends, advocating for and integrating innovations that can refine our IT operations, enhance efficiency, and elevate the passenger experience.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in concert with various airport departments, ensuring IT strategies and solutions are perfectly tuned to the broader operational symphony of the airport.

What We are looking for: 

• Leadership Prowess: You're not just leading; you're inspiring, driving your team towards excellence with a clear vision and supportive guidance.
• Strategic Acumen: With a strategic mindset, you're adept at aligning IT initiatives with overarching organizational goals, crafting plans that are as pragmatic as they are visionary.
• Problem-Solving Expertise: Challenges don't faze you. You're a problem-solver, skilled at untangling complex IT issues and devising effective solutions.
• Project Management Mastery: Your project management skills are top-notch, ensuring IT projects are delivered on time, within budget, and above expectations.
• Communication Skills: Articulate and persuasive, you're as comfortable presenting to the board as you are translating tech-speak for non-technical colleagues.
• Technological Fluency: You're well-versed in the latest IT infrastructure and service management best practices, with a keen eye on how emerging technologies can be harnessed.
• Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, IT, or a related field sets the foundation for your expertise.
• Experience: With at least 8 years in the IT trenches and 5 in a leadership role, you've honed your skills in a complex, preferably aviation-focused IT environment.
• Technical Expertise: Your technical skill set is comprehensive, covering everything from network infrastructure to cybersecurity, especially within the unique context of airport operations.
• Airport/Aviation/Airline experience preferred. 

Where You Will Work:

We are located in Building 111 in Jamacia Queens. As NTO progresses towards its operational phase, your role will transition to the vibrant and dynamic environment of JFK International Airport, where you will be directly involved in the day-to-day activities of this state-of-the-art international terminal.

What We Offer:

Joining NTO you will be part of a transformative and ambitious project. We offer:

• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• A 401(k) plan with employer matching, investing in your future.
• Access to ongoing professional development opportunities.
• A diverse range of discounts and perks through our partner programs.
• An inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, community engagement, and collaboration.
• A unique opportunity to be part of a project that will redefine airport excellence on a global scale.

Our values and commitment:

New Terminal One at JFK is a consortium of labor, operating and financial partners. NTO will be built by union labor, and we are committed to local inclusion and labor participation with a focus on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious goals for creating opportunities for local, minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE), and service-disabled veteran-

owned businesses (SDVOB).

We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation,

marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. We

celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce.