Manager of Real Estate, Aviation & Ground Transportation

Job Description:

Manager of Real Estate, Aviation & Ground Transportation

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

MANAGER OF REAL ESTATE, AVIATION & GROUND TRANSPORTATION

(REAL ESTATE MANAGER)

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The open eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Real Estate Manager positions within John Wayne Airport or the County of Orange. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT

Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Large Airports in the J.D. Power 2024 and 2025 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, John Wayne Airport (JWA) has been a major cornerstone of Orange County for more than 100 years. Located in beautiful Southern California, we currently serve approximately 11.7 million annual passengers. We strive to provide a superior guest experience to ensure travel is convenient and stress-free. The County of Orange owns and operates the airport and the service area includes more than three million people within 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County and beyond.

As a medium hub airport, we have commercial flights to more than 40 nonstop destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Eleven commercial airlines and two air cargo airlines fly out of the Airport. It is home to nearly 500 general aviation (private, non-commercial) aircraft, representing 60% of total operations, and includes two full-service fixed base operators and one limited use general aviation facility.

• Mission: Connecting People, Places and Opportunities.
• Vision: To be an airport of choice by creating exceptional experiences.
• Core Values: REACH
  • R espect
  • E nvironmental Stewardship
  • A ccountability
  • C ollaboration
  • H onesty

To learn more about working at John Wayne Airport, click here. To learn more about the County of Orange, click here.

COMMERCIAL & REVENUE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

The Commercial & Revenue Development division within John Wayne Airport (JWA) is responsible for strategic planning, implementation, operation, and monitoring of revenue-generating business activities on airport property. The division is responsible for all commercial real property contracts involving John Wayne Airport, including tenant development projects both inside and outside of the airport terminals. The division performs various cross-functional activities related to the airport’s property management and commercial development program, including managing various activities of aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue-producing agreements and strategy. The Commercial & Revenue Development division also evaluates and assesses the effectiveness of business partner relationships to ensure high customer service and operations.
THE OPPORTUNITY

The Airport Commercial Development Concessions Manager (Real Estate Manager) reports directly to the Deputy Director for Commercial & Revenue Development and manages and administers strategic programs of John Wayne Airport in accordance with the mission, vision, and values as articulated by the Airport Director and approved by John Wayne Airport. The position ensures compliance with federal, state, and local ordinances governing airport commercial programs, Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs (ACDBE), and airport revenue development and management, to enhance the airport's economic portfolio and customer experience.
The position is a leadership role within the Commercial & Revenue Development division, overseeing the commercial airline contracts, ground transportation concession leases, and all general aviation real estate. The role requires a self-starter who can strategically and effectively manage the day-to-day functions of both the position and the team. It requires knowledge of all areas of Airport Business & Properties, with specific responsibility for planning, managing, integrating, innovating, and leading the revenue-generating program at JWA. This includes rental car agreements, ground transportation, commercial airlines, general aviation fixed-base operators, airline club lounges, golf course development, and automated vending. This role will also review proposed tenant development concepts, concessions development, report concession sales, and identify growth opportunities. Additionally, this position will develop various Requests for Proposals (RFP) and contract documents, manage lease amendments, and bring on new tenants throughout all phases of development, opening, and operations.

The incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Revenue Development
• Developing Business Plans to drive Non-Aeronautical Revenue
• Customer Service, Tenant Relationships, and Lease Compliance
• Property Management
• Real Estate Development
• Long-Range Real Estate Planning

Additionally, the position will be responsible for developing all procedures and data/software systems to lead and develop the Commercial Real Estate Program, including but not limited to Commercial Real Estate operating procedures, performance reporting, Operational Readiness, Activation, and Transition (ORAT) program development and implementation. The position will work with the local business community and aviation industry to incorporate best practices into the concessions program at JWA.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have five (5) or more years of Airport Properties or Airport Business Development experience within a medium or large commercial airport , with at least two (2) years managing aviation real estate, such as Airline Agreements, including General Aviation FBO’s, and experience in leasing airport properties, lands, buildings, and/or property management, concession planning development, revenue generation, tenant build outs, and staff development. This experience must demonstrate two (2) years of supervisory experience.
A Bachelor’s degree in b usiness, finance, public administration, land use/urban planning, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
A Master’s degree or higher in b usiness, finance, public administration, land use/urban planning, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Although not required, a Certified Member of AAAE, Project Management Professional (PMP), and/or a Certified Property Manager (CPM) certification is highly desirable.
In addition to the desirable qualifications of the classification, the successful candidate must also possess the following core competencies:

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

• Demonstrate proficiency in financial modeling and revenue strategy, including analyzing data, preparing financial reports, researching contracts, and monitoring industry returns to identify opportunities to optimize revenue and improve customer service
• Demonstrate ability to manage airport commercial procurement and leases by enforcing compliance, overseeing tenant relations and property operations, interpreting real estate documents, and applying FAA and Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (ACDBE) best practices
• Ability to mentor and develop the Commercial & Revenue Development team while leading the Aviation Program, including ground transportation, general aviation, retail, and other concessions
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the Aviation Program's customer service performance and appearance while overseeing the development of marketing and promotional programs to drive performance, utilizing technology and data analytics to monitor the business performance of tenants and concessionaires
• Ability to develop, navigate, and monitor tenant development projects with various County divisions to ensure timely completion of tenant construction and ability to oversee tenant space design and compliance with airport design standards with airport stakeholders and tenants
• Demonstrate ability to manage lease data systems by maintaining accurate records, tracking critical dates and KPIs, ensuring timely tenant notifications and reporting, and coordinating with other airport and County divisions

SUPERVISION & LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Experience effectively aligning team and individual goals to meet organizational objectives
• Management and coordination of various human resource activities related to direct staff, including, but not limited to, performance appraisals, training, and positive coaching and mentoring
• Ability to exercise sound managerial judgment that reflects skillful information gathering and analysis
• Ability to anticipate potential sources of conflict and proactively identify solutions that mitigate risks
• Manage through the use of collaborative techniques, encouraging creativity in developing solutions for new and routine issues

STRATEGIC PLANNING & PROBLEM SOLVING

• Ability to continually assess business partner relations to ensure efficient and effective operations and customer service
• Ability to evaluate applicable governing real estate regulations to determine impacts to JWA and recommend action as appropriate
• Ability to evaluate and anticipate resources necessary to construct long-term property management planning
• Ability to use sound reasoning skills to identify and analyze problems by gathering relevant information and considering a broad range of issues related to property management
• Ability to develop and/or support the creation of a business plan for its Real Estate portfolio

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

• Ability to work positively and effectively to resolve issues and collaborate within internal teams, County of Orange agencies, and or external constituents
• Ability to represent the organization effectively and communicate articulately, while demonstrating organizational integrity
• Maintain cooperative relationships and deal tactfully within and across organizational lines
• Present technical and conceptual information clearly and articulately, both orally and in writing, on complex policies, regulations, and guidelines to a wide variety of audiences
• Ability to communicate mission, vision, and values to the concessions team and areas for continuous improvement

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications and the physical & mental requirements, as well as the environmental & working conditions for the Real Estate Manager.

LICENSE REQUIRED
The successful candidate must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment.

AIRPORT ACCESS REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate must clear a background check which includes a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Security Threat Assessment (STA). Airport Access Badge must be maintained and renewed every two (2) years.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview (SOI) | Exam (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job.

Eligible List | Score Groups
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Please note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information.

Veterans Employment Preference (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional frequently asked questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Michelle Bocicor at [email protected] or (949)252-5174.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:

• Retirement: Benefits are provided through the Orange County Employees' Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
  http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information.
• Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
• Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
• Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
• Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
• 457 Defined Contribution Program

*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 4/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$116,251.20 - $161,012.80 Annually