Vice President Air Service Development and Corporate Communications
Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority
Application
Details
Posted: 23-Jan-25
Location: Asheville, NC
Type: Full Time
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
Additional Information:
Employer will assist with relocation costs.
Internal Number: 173
Welcome to the Asheville Regional Airport Team! The Asheville Regional Airport is an economic engine for the Western region of North Carolina and is a vital partner for industries across the state and beyond. With business opportunities including real estate, land development, and general aviation, the sky’s the limit at AVL.
AVL values its employees’ strengths and abilities, ethical behavior, diversity, creativity, innovation, and sound judgment. They commit to providing employees with rewarding work and a positive work environment based on trust, respect for each other, and open communication. The airport invests in its community and reaches common goals by building strong relationships. It is an exciting time to help lead the air service development, corporate communications and customer experience at Asheville Regional Airport, moving this fast-growing airport into the future.
If you are a self-directed, strategic, and customer-focused professional who can build relationships and influence business outcomes, read on!
Overview of Requirements:
The Vice President Air Service Development and Corporate Communications is directly responsible for all air service development and corporate communications goals and functions. The position is responsible for the development, planning, implementation, and/or administration of the following strategic functions: (1) air service development activities; (2) marketing and public relations programs; (3) strategic brand development and customer experience processes and programs; and (4) in-terminal advertising revenue generation for the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. Oversees the following departments: Air Service Development, Marketing & Public Relations; and Guest Services. Provides leadership and strategic direction to staff in these departments to ensure organizational goals are met. The position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and will be responsible for the following duties.
Responsibilities and Essential Functions
Directly plans, implements and oversees air service development for the organization: · Develops and implements an annual air service development strategic work plan.
· Performs/coordinates ongoing and creative market analysis to support the expansion/retention of air service; and to identify strengths, threats, opportunities and weaknesses.
· Shares information routinely to support operational and financial decision-making and to ensure that air service growth can be operationally supported with airport infrastructure.
· Develops and recommends tactical methods to improve service to existing city market pairs and other potential airline city markets.
· Monitors airfares, schedules, and airline-related information and trends.
· Maintains and publishes airline-related schedules and statistical information, including monthly reports for senior management and the board.
· Develops and maintains productive and positive relationships with airline network planners (with incumbent airlines and potential future airlines).
· Develops and communicates relevant and timely information for airline network planners to aid in their decision-making. Acts as a liaison between airline network planners, President & CEO, and Chief Administrative Officer.
· Develops collaborative relationships with business groups to support air service growth and retention, such as regional tourism and economic development organizations.
· Manages the air service incentive policy, and monitors regulatory issues related to commercial air service.
· Manages air service consultant relationship and scope of work (if applicable).
Directs public information, corporate communications and media relations activities for the organization: · Serves as the primary airport spokesperson and Public Information Officer for news media and develops staff for backup.
· Develops and manages system for news media inquiry / response.
· Ensures appropriate and timely news is released to the media, utilizing up-to-date and effective distribution methods.
· Maintains and updates (at least annually) the Crisis Communication Plan, and trains staff appropriately.
· Ensures public information requests/complaints receive timely response.
· Schedules and coordinates press conferences, as needed.
· Makes public presentations to various interest groups.
· Provides the Executive team with corporate communications support, as needed.
Oversees the Marketing & PR department to ensure annual goals are met: · Works with the Marketing & PR team to develop and implement an annual marketing & public relations plan that aligns with the organization’s strategic goals.
· Ensures marketing & public relations strategies are within budget and on brand.
· Seeks and nurtures relationships to develop cooperative marketing & public relations efforts with partner organizations, such as airlines and local chamber, economic development, and tourism groups.
· Ensures airport representation at appropriate industry and local events.
· Measures and communicates results to senior staff as they relate to organizational strategic goals.
· Provides strategic direction to the Marketing & PR department.
Oversees the Guest Services & Advertising Sales department to ensure annual goals are met: · Works with the guest services team to develop and implement an annual departmental plan that aligns with the organization’s strategic goals.
· Develops annual advertising sales revenue goals and bonus structure for the guest services and advertising manager, and monitors progress throughout the year. Recommends adjustments due to unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances.
· Ensures that Guest Services and the Marketing & PR departments are working together to develop positive guest experiences as appropriate.
· Ensures guest services and advertising sales strategies are within budget and on brand.
· Provides support and direction as needed for all guest services programs and functions, including volunteer programs.
Member of senior management team: · Oversees the annual budgeting process for marketing/public relations and guest services/advertising sales departments and provides routine oversight of the budgets.
· Participates in short- and long-range planning of projects and programs.
· Provides information/updates to the Authority Board as required.
· Establishes benchmarks to measure team performance.
· Is an active leader for the organization’s strategic plan, ensuring departments’ annual plans and action steps are aligned, measured and moving the organization forward.
· Performs other duties as needed and assigned, including special projects.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities · Manage multiple and diverse activities and projects.
· Read and interpret detailed information.
· Ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports and presentations.
· Specialized ability to analyze and visualize data – both primary and secondary sources.
· Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
· Develop and implement policies and procedures.
· Positively interact with Authority management and staff, consultants, legal counsel, and representatives of local, state and federal agencies.
· Ability to contribute to a team environment to achieve success for the organization.
· Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and other general office equipment is necessary. Experience with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, required. Experience with Tableau and other data visualization tools preferred.
· Ability to provide administrative and professional leadership and direction to staff.
Education and Experience Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Relations, Strategic Communications or a relevant related field is required.
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Relations, Strategic Communications or related field desired. • Preferred Certifications: Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E), U.S. Airport Professional (U.S.A.P.), or International Airport Professional (IAP).
• Experience managing large departments and/or teams.
• Minimum of seven years professional experience in air service development, business development, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years experience in management.
• Experience in an airport and/or governmental environment preferred, specifically with air service development expertise.
AVL Benefits
Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, long and short-term disability, accident and critical illness insurance. AVL employees are also members of the State pension plan and are required to contribute 6% to the North Carolina Retirement System. This position is eligible for 12 paid holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and professional leave. Additional benefits 401(k) contribution of 5% by AVL, cell phone allowance, vehicle allowance, and longevity bonus.
The Authority’s benefits are excellent, and salary is commensurate with experience.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, resume, five-year salary history, and a list of three professional references in one PDF document to Lisa Belt of Steven Baldwin Associates at:
In your cover letter, please specifically address your experience and accomplishments in the areas noted in the “Responsibilities & Essential Functions” section above.
Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm February 20, 2025.
About Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority
The Asheville Regional Airport is an economic engine for the Western region of North Carolina and is a vital partner for industries across the state and beyond. With business opportunities including real estate, land development, and general aviation, the sky’s the limit at AVL.
Growth and change have been consistent themes at Asheville Regional Airport for years, and 2024 was no exception, as the airport experienced continued passenger growth serving over 2 million passengers. AVL is the third largest airport in North Carolina and is on the list as one of the fastest growing airports in the country for the past seven years.
Named as a significant regional partner, it is easy to understand that the Asheville Regional Airport has a tremendous effect on the local economy. The North Carolina department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation reported in the January 2025 State of Aviation report that AVL contributes $3.86 billion in annual economic impact to the region. The airport supports 22,475 jobs, contributes $324 million in tax revenue to the region, and more than $1 billion in personal income.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this world-class airport and contribute to its future success.