Manager of Airport Systems - City of Philadelphia

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. 
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:
•    Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
•    Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
•    Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
•    Benefits - We care about your well-being.
 

The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is managed by the Department of Aviation of the City of Philadelphia. PHL is the only major airport serving the nation's 7th largest metropolitan area and is a large hub airport that serves over 25 million passengers per year.  Twenty-seven airlines, including all major domestic carriers, offer nearly 323 daily departures to more than 120 destinations worldwide.  Located 7 miles from downtown Philadelphia, the Airport is easily accessible and convenient to many tourist sites, business centers, and cultural hubs. The Airport is self-sustaining and uses no local tax dollars.  PHL is one of the largest economic engines in the region, generating $16.8 billion to the economy and accounting for 106,000 full-time jobs annually.  The Airport Information Technology department is headed by the Airport Chief Information Officer (CIO).   Airport IT is responsible for the strategic direction of IT services at the Airport, management of all Airport IT infrastructure, and the operational support for hundreds of different Airport related systems that serve the needs of the airlines, TSA, FAA, and passengers.

The Manager of Airport Systems is responsible for managing a portfolio of Airport tenant and passenger facing systems and services including the Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS), Queue Management System (QMS), Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS), airport operational databases (AODB), Digital Content Management System (CMS), and other critical IT applications that ensure the efficient operation of the airport. They will coordinate application integration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of that portfolio and serve as a champion, advisor, and liaison to Airport partners and key stakeholders for the development and effective use of Airport applications, as well as the primary contact for application vendors and service providers. Additionally, they will coordinate business processes between their area and other IT Operations teams and facilitate key divisional processes including incident and problem management, change management, knowledge management, service process design, and performance analysis. 
As a member of the IT Operations leadership team, the Manager of Airport Systems will help lead the division in empowering an agile, digital airport and elevating technology as a strategic asset.  They are expected to work with the Director of IT Operations, VP for IT Systems & Infrastructure, and other divisional and departmental leaders to drive cultural and technological transformation within Airport IT and promote a collaborative, human-centered, innovative, accountable, transparent, and inclusive culture within IT.

Essential Functions
Management

• Build, support, and expand a culture that is supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion where employees from all backgrounds can succeed and thrive.
• Manage contract staff with the Airport Systems group.
• Conduct research on emerging products, services, protocols, and standards in support of the functions within Airport Systems.
• Prepare area budget and evaluate costs and performance of existing and new initiatives.
• Assist in the development and implementation of major project timelines.

Operations

• Consult with Airport partners and key stakeholders on design and implementation of new and re-designed systems to ensure that technology solutions meet functional requirements, system compliance, and interface specifications.
• Manage complete software lifecycle, including gathering requirements, analysis, design, application deployment, testing, implementation, maintenance, user follow up, support, and project management.
• Plan, prioritize and manage the activities of the Airport Systems team to provide administrative and technical direction in support of the Airport’s operations and ensure efficient utilization of resources and completion of work to standards.
• Lead project work of varying complexity and priority. Actively participate in, or lead, workgroups and meetings at the department, division, or Airport level.
• Analyze performance of activities within their area, document resolutions, identifies and remediates problem areas, and devises and delivers solutions to enhance the quality of area’s systems and services.
• Identify and execute continuous improvements to process and systems and champions infrastructure automation in all facets of computing platforms.
• Track and analyze service trends and generate reports for internal and external audiences.
• Provide consultation to team members and leadership during emergencies, including availability outside of regular working hours.

Relationship Building

• Build strong and collaborative Airport partnerships for systems support, including building and maintaining relationships with key constituents, creating, leading, or participating in “communities of practice,” working groups, planning or assessment sessions, and other collaborative efforts with key application stakeholders.
• Collaborate on and/or lead initiatives focused on promoting digital dexterity across the airport, raising awareness of current Airport IT services and other available or emerging technology tools, and enhancing training and development opportunities.

Participation & Support

• Maintain awareness of current practices, future trends, and best practices in Airport systems and services.
• Represent Airport IT and participate in the airport community by serving on working groups, project teams, and committees.

Additional Duties

• Perform other IT-related duties as requested.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Essential Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing enterprise-level applications and systems.
• Strong written and oral communication skills (including ability to present ideas in user-friendly, business-friendly and technical language) and interpersonal skills with a focus on rapport-building, listening and questioning skills.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities, including ability to anticipate, identify, and solve critical problems.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Ability to build effective relationships and strong commitment to working collegially and collaboratively with constituents at all levels in a diverse and distributed environment.

Additional/Desirable Skills & Abilities

• Experience managing complex applications and integrations.
• Experience in analyzing, documenting, and modifying business requirements.
• Demonstrated progressive experience in the management of a system administration team.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Ability to conduct research into a wide range of computing issues as required.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Experience working in an airport, government IT environment or equivalent size organization.

We care more about what you know than how you learned it.  That said, while a specific degree is not required, we believe a bachelor’s degree is a strong foundation for this position.  Five years of relevant experience in system and application administration, with at least three years of recent managerial experience, is required.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000

Important: To apply, candidates must provide a cover letter and resume.

Work Setting: in-person (onsite)

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
•    We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
•    Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
•    Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
•    Generous retirement savings options are available
•    Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
•    Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023, eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
•    Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.