GENERAL MANAGER OF AIRPORT OPERATIONS-2026 (Airside Operations)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

General Manager of Airport Operations

Department of Aviation

Bureau of Airside Operations

Number of Positions:1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: BX22 $112,440.00/year

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 6/25/2026

Under direction, the class is managerial in nature planning and directing the operations of a functional area at O'Hare International Airport or Midway International Airport, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Plans and directs the activities of Airfield Operations at O'Hare Airport

* Oversees and coordinates the work of area supervisors to ensure conformance to established schedules, governmental regulations and department policies

* Reviews and evaluates the work performance of supervisory personnel, recommending disciplinary action when needed Coordinates and participates in human resources activities (e.g., interviewing, employee relations)

* Directs and monitors training programs for subordinate staff to ensure adherence with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and department work requirements

* Establishes and maintains operational budgets for assigned areas

* Develops and implements procedures to track budget expenditures and prepares financial reports

* Reviews work summaries submitted by supervisory staff and generates comprehensive activity reports

* Serves as liaison with airport tenants and concessionaires and responds to inquiries regarding the status of repair and maintenance issues

* Represents the department at meetings with federal, state, and local agencies and performs other, related duties as required.

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: O'Hare International Airport

10510 W Zemke Rd

Days: Monday-Friday

Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM; hours and days may vary due to operational needs

NOTE: The candidate(s) selected for hire must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment (STA).

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Nine (9) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; OR Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a directly related field, PLUS seven (7) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a directly related field, PLUS five (5) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Aviation Management, or a directly related field, PLUS four (4) years of airport or airfield operations work experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

NOTE:

* A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

* Must obtain airfield certification within six months of hire

* The candidate selected for hire must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment (STA).

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 6/25/2026