Airport Director at COUNTY OF MERCER – TRENTON, New Jersey

AIRPORT DIRECTOR

TRENTON MERCER AIRPORT (TTN)

LOCATION: Ewing, NJ

SALARY: $172,882

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Unclassified (At-Will)

POSITION(S) AVAILABLE: 1

OVERVIEW:

The Airport Manager serves as the accountable executive forTrenton–Mercer Airport (TTN), Part 139–certificated, county-owned commercialservice airport. Reporting to Mercer County Executive leadership, the AirportManager has delegated authority to operate the airport as a complex publicenterprise and serves as the Airport Sponsor's authorized representative to theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal, state, and localregulatory agencies.

The Airport Manager has full responsibility for airport operations,regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, capital planning and delivery,commercial development, organizational leadership, and external stakeholderrelations. This role requires a seasoned executive capable of exercising sound judgmentin a highly visible, politically nuanced environment while positioning theairport for long-term operational, financial, and institutional resilience.This position isbeing recruited at a pivotal moment as the airport advances a multi-yearcapital redevelopment program and long-term strategic transformation.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT (2025–2030):

Trenton–Mercer Airport is entering a defining period of transformation.The airport operates at the intersection of commercial air service, generalaviation, federal compliance obligations, and strong community interest andengagement.

A recently completed Master Plan identifies a multi-year redevelopmentprogram, including construction of a new passenger terminal of approximately125,000 square feet, a structured parking facility, a new Aircraft Rescue andFirefighting (ARFF) facility, a new air traffic control tower, and a newlighting vault.

Design of the new terminal is complete, construction of the ARFF facilityis underway with anticipated completion in 2026, and design of supportinginfrastructure is advancing. In parallel, the airport's fixed-base operatorsare planning significant private-sector investments.

The airport is currently served by Frontier Airlines and historicallysupported 404,289 enplaned passengers in 2018. Estimated enplanements for 2025are approximately 340,000, with long-range projections of 476,507 enplanedpassengers by 2035. Mercer County is seeking to strengthen air service, advancesustainable revenue-generating initiatives, and establish a durable financialframework capable of supporting future capital investment.

The Airport Manager is expected to lead this next chapter withdiscipline, credibility, and strategic foresight.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Executive Leadership and Governance: Serve as the senior executiveaccountable for all airport outcomes. Exercise delegated authority forday-to-day decision-making while maintaining alignment with County leadership.Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing organization; establish performanceexpectations, accountability frameworks, and succession planning. Provideclear, timely, and credible communication to elected officials, Countyadministration, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Regulatory Compliance, Safety, and Operations: Serve as theAirport Sponsor's primary representative to the FAA and other regulators.Ensure full compliance with Part 139, Airport Improvement Program GrantAssurances, Transportation Security Administration requirements, and applicableenvironmental obligations. Maintain effective safety management systems,emergency preparedness, ARFF readiness, and security programs. Direct airfield,terminal, landside, and general aviation operations to ensure safe, reliableperformance under normal and emergency conditions.
• Financial Stewardship and Revenue Strategy: Lead developmentand execution of the airport's operating and capital budgets consistent withfederal requirements and County guidance. Oversee revenues, expenses, leases,and airline agreements. Establish and maintain a long-term financial frameworkthat balances capital affordability, airline competitiveness, regulatorycompliance, and revenue diversification. Partner with the County ChiefFinancial Officer to implement financial controls, forecasting, and reportingconsistent with FAA standards and industry best practices.
• Capital Planning and Project Delivery: Serve as the accountable executivefor all capital programs, including FAA-funded projects and major redevelopmentinitiatives. Provide executive oversight of consultants, contractors,schedules, budgets, and risk management. Lead grant application,administration, and compliance activities to ensure continued eligibility forfederal funding.
• Airline, Tenant, and Commercial Relations: Act as the seniorpoint of contact for airlines, tenants, concessionaires, and business partners.Lead negotiation and administration of leases, permits, and operatingagreements. Foster a commercial environment that supports air service retentionand growth, private investment, and non-aeronautical revenue developmentconsistent with the airport's strategic objectives.
• Community and External Affairs: Serve as the airport's principalpublic representative. Proactively engage surrounding communities, electedofficials, regulators, and business partners with transparency andprofessionalism. Address community concerns while maintaining operationalintegrity and regulatory compliance.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS – FIRST 24 MONTHS:

• Organizational Leadership and Talent Development: Written organizationalassessment; documented staffing and succession plans; and periodic writtenupdates on leadership development and organizational performance.
• Capital Program Leadership and Delivery: Written capitalprogram governance frameworks; quarterly capital status reports addressingscope, schedule, budget, risk, and mitigation; and written confirmation ofcontinued FAA compliance.
• Financial Framework and Long-Term Sustainability: Written multi-yearfinancial framework integrating operating performance, capital affordability,airline rates and charges, and revenue diversification, supported by forecastsand scenario analyses.
• Airline, Tenant, and Commercial Confidence: Written airlineengagement and air service strategies; documented summaries of major agreements;and written recommendations supporting commercial and private-sector investmentdecisions.
• Community, Stakeholder, and Public Trust: Written communityengagement strategies; documented responses to significant stakeholder issues;and written briefings to County leadership on stakeholder sentiment andemerging risks.
• Executive Credibility and Governance: Regular written executive briefings;decision memoranda supporting major actions; and clear written communicationsreinforcing transparency, accountability, and executive credibility.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor'sdegree in aviation management, public administration, business, engineering, ora related field
• Progressivesenior-level leadership experience at a commercial service airport or a comparabletransportation infrastructure enterprise
• Demonstratedexperience with FAA Part 139 compliance and Airport Improvement Program (AIP)Grant Assurance obligations
• Subjectto initial and ongoing background investigations
• Abilityto obtain and maintain all required security credentials
• Possession of, and ability to maintain, a valid driver'slicense
• Ability to establish residency in Mercer County, New Jerseywithin one (1) year of appointment and maintain residency thereafter, inaccordance with County residency requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline
• Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation or the ability toobtain
• Senior executive experience at a commercial service airport, includingleadership through capital development and organizational change

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH MERCER COUNTY:

Mercer County is committed to supporting our employees with a competitiveand comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Access to health and wellness coverage
• Enrollment in State Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans
• Generous paid time off and leave programs
• Opportunities for training, continuing education, and tuition assistance

Mercer County EEO/ Civil Service Statement & Residency Requirements:

Mercer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

As a Civil Service employer under the State of New Jersey, all candidates must comply with New Jersey Civil Service Commission regulations and guidelines. Mercer County residency is required. Non-residents must establish residency within one (1) year of employment.

Mercer County is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, specifically in accordance with the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.