Director, Slots and Infrastructure Management

Airports Council International (ACI) is the only global trade representative of the world’s airports. Established in 1991, ACI represents airports interests with Governments and international organizations such as ICAO, develops standards, policies, and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.

ACI is recruiting for the position of Director, Slots and Infrastructure Management.

The ideal candidate:

• Has working knowledge of the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG)
• Is a seasoned expert on airport slot policies, processes and the economics of airport capacity ;
• Has a solid track record of developing evidence-based policy discourse on behalf of the airport industry and/or other aviation stakeholders;
• Possesses both management and technical acumen to manage consultants employed by ACI and to provide guidance to junior staff;
• Is a strong communicator both oral and written;
• Enjoys travelling internationally;
• Represents the ACI World values of Integrity, Member Focus, Professionalism and Teamwork

The location

Reporting to the Vice President, Economics the position remote and offers a unique opportunity to work in a global environment for the delivery of services and advocacy activities for the airport industry and broader aviation community.

About this opportunity:

The Director, Slots and Infrastructure management possesses extensive experience in distilling complex business and regulatory concepts and propelling this intellectual capital for the purpose of driving evidence-based decision making on behalf of the airport industry. In addition to advancing the economic policy agenda of airports in coordination with other stakeholders, the candidate will be a strong communicator with consensus building skills and possessing expert-level authorship in drafting text and discourse for both specialist audiences and/or the general public.

Primary responsibilities:

Policy, program development and services

• Lead ACI’s policies, positions, and briefing material on airport slot policies, including evidence-based analyses and related policy recommendations for lawmakers;
• Prepare reports, deliver presentations, and policy positions to advocate for airport interests in the field of airport slot policy and capacity management;
• Coordinate the activities of strategic and technical working groups on the slot allocation regime at the global level;
• Support ACI World’s engagement at ICAO by drafting working and information papers and by engaging with national delegations, regulators and observer organizations on behalf of the airport industry;
• Develop an international network of subject matter experts in airport operations, finance, technology, law and sustainability to develop policies that enhance the efficiency of capacity utilization and the overall aviation ecosystem;
• Coordinate the development of institutional research and strategic analyses related to infrastructure capacity needs and efficient slot allocation policies and criteria;
• Manage consultants employed by ACI in areas of subject matter expertise; Oversee deliverables and budgetary aspects of contracts to ensure quality outputs;
• Other assignments as directed by the VP, Economics.

Represent ACI as a subject-matter expert

• Partner, liaise and manage activities with other international organizations (e.g. IATA, WWACG, ICAO, ACI regional offices, etc.), airport operators and private companies in the exchange of information, best practices and joint deliverables;
• Deliver presentations as subject matter expert and in support of capacity building and advocacy initiatives for ACI Members, regulators and other stakeholders;
• Act as instructor for the ACI World Airport Slots course in tandem with Global Training Services
• Contribute to agenda development of conferences and meetings; Represent ACI in meetings and other related fora in area of subject matter expertise;
• Other assignments as directed by the VP, Economics

Committee and expert group management

• Act as Secretary for the ACI World Expert Group on Slots (EGS);
• Serve on the Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB) as ACI World Secretariat;
• Lead and/or coordinate the work of the technical Airport Slot Working Groups (ASWGs);
• Support the Vice President, Economics on activities related to the ACI World Economics Standing Committee (WESC) and other airport member working groups;
• Work closely with Director, Economic Policy to map policy synergies between airport capacity management with economic pricing and financing issues;
• Other assignments as directed by the VP, Economics

Technical knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Working knowledge of the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG) required;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a infrastructure policy, slot management, aviation development or airport operations and capacity management expert;
• Of which: 2 years experience in the management, supervision and development of staff;
• Advanced university degree in economics, business, engineering, political science, finance, law, public policy or aviation-related studies with a significant policy analysis component at an advanced level;
• Advanced analytical and drafting skills to interpret economic and financial realities related to airport capacity that impact the airport bottom line – Drivers of the aeronautical and non-aeronautical businesses;
• Strong communication, consensus-building, and presentation skills; the ability to develop coalitions and partnerships with other stakeholders, in an international multi-cultural environment;
• Strong computer skills; Advanced proficiency in the full MS Office suite (Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Word).