How to hire an airport manager

How to hire an airport manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step airport manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an airport manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new airport manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The airport manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An airport manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, airport managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of airport managers.

   Type of Airport Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Airport Manager		$13-29
   Traffic Operator	A Traffic Operator coordinates all logistic shipments and associated operations. You will be required to oversee all payments and credit negotiation demands within traffic management... Show more	$11-25
   Transportation Director	Transportation Directors are responsible for managing an organization's transportation operations. They are involved in supervising transportation projects, monitoring performance, research workflow processes, conduct strategic meetings with stakeholders, administer the budgeting process, and ensures programs comply with state and federal regulations... Show more	$14-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Complaints
   • Business Demands
   • Human Resources
   • Revenue Projections
   • Customer Service
   • TSA
   • Rental Counter
   • Training Programs
   • Car Fleet
   • Federal Aviation Administration
   • Airfield Operations
   • Business Relationships
   • Facility Maintenance
   • DOT

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage RFP activity for car rental and taxicab service concessions.
   • Manage and facilitate passenger check-in processes, luggage handling, and deplaning and boarding processes for timely departures.
   • Manage requests of VIP customers, travel groups, special needs individuals and formulate solutions for improve handling to head office.
   • Construct domestic and international reservations, perform ticket transactions, facilitate passenger check-in and manage departure and arrival gates.
   • Increase revenues by initiating business development projects to bring in new FBO capital.
   • Close FBO for next day operating accordance.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your airport manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An airport manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, airport managers' average salary in utah is 32% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level airport managers earn 55% less than senior-level airport managers.
   • Certifications. An airport manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an airport manager's salary.

   Average airport manager salary

   $42,405yearly

   $20.39 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level airport manager salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing an airport manager job description

   An airport manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an airport manager job description:

   Airport manager job description example

   Here at Avis Budget Group we're more than just rentals-although over 70 years of experience and 11,000 locations in 180 countries has taught us a thing or two about that. We're shaping the future of the mobility industry with our innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our globally recognized brands - Avis, Budget, Budget Truck and Zipcar - connect people to more. This means more convenience, more options and more time on the road for our customers. But we also connect our employees to more: opportunities, benefits, support, collaboration and most importantly-power to change the future. Sound your speed? Come join our family.
   
   Join Avis Budget Group, a global leader in mobility, as an entry-level Operations Manager Trainee, where you will learn how to lead front-line teams in an exciting airport car rental operation.
   
   Through our structured, hands-on learning program immersed in the operation, we'll teach you how to increase financial profitability, maximize operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction and lead teams of people. After completing training, you will supervise one or more of the daily operations and sales functions to ensure maximization of fleet, revenue, customer satisfaction and employee management.
   
   You'll continue to work closely with managers and mentors who will teach you all of the skills you'll need to grow and advance your career in our Fortune 500 company, with a clear career path from an entry level Operations Manager all the way to an Area Vice President.
   
   We offer a competitive wage and benefits package: Total potential annual compensation of $50,000 ; Use of a company vehicle which includes gas, insurance and maintenance; access to comprehensive medical plan, 401K and other voluntary group benefits. We also offer employee discounts, including a discounted purchase of a rental car.
   
   We believe in connecting our employees to more: opportunities, benefits, support, collaboration and most importantly - power - to change the future. Sound your speed? Come join our family.
   What we're looking for:
   Recent graduate with bachelor's degree OR associate's degree plus at least two years' supervisory experience. Ability to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, work well in a team environment with a positive attitude, and make independent decisions. Valid driver's license and good driving record. Flexibility to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. Willingness to work outdoor in weather conditions with moderate noise level.
   Extra points for this:
   One year of experience providing high quality customer service
   
   Avis Budget Group is an equal opportunity employer - M/F/Veterans/Disabled.
   
   This role requires the ability to frequently stand, sit, walk, drive, and type. This advertisement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment. This advertisement describes the general nature and level of this position only. Essential functions and responsibilities may change as business needs require.
   
   Use of company vehicle subject to company policy. This position may be with any affiliate of Avis Budget Group.
   
   Avis Budget Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
   
   Minneapolis
   
   Minnesota
   
   United States of America

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find airport managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your airport manager job on Zippia to find and recruit airport manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit airport managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new airport manager

   Once you've found the airport manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new airport manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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