Ready to lead the next chapter of aviation in Lawrence, Kansas? The City of Lawrence is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking General Manager to provide executive leadership for Lawrence Regional Airport (LWC).
The General Manager serves as both a visionary leader and a hands-on operational executive, guiding the airport into its next era of innovation and growth. This role is responsible for shaping and executing long-term strategies that expand infrastructure, attract economic opportunity, and strengthen the airport’s regional impact. The General Manager leads airport planning, operations, and regulatory compliance, while overseeing capital improvement planning, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordination, leasing, real estate development, and major projects. This position carries executive authority over airport strategy, capital planning, regulatory coordination, and external advocacy on behalf of the City and Airport. As the airport’s chief ambassador, the General Manager builds strong relationships with the FAA, Airport Advisory Board, tenants, contractors, and the broader community, ensuring LWC remains a safe, efficient, and forward-thinking gateway for the region.
Responsibilities
Operations, Maintenance & Safety: Manages daily operations and airfield maintenance while supervising operational staff. Coordinates emergency preparedness, snow removal, and regulatory compliance. Oversees FAA and TSA safety programs and ensures all operations meet state and federal standards. Provides executive oversight of airport safety, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance programs, while maintaining consistent onsite leadership as airport activity increases and staffing levels grow and organizational structures evolve in response to expanded services.
Economic Development: Drives economic development through partnerships and marketing strategies. Pursues funding through federal, state, and private sources, managing the grant lifecycle from research to compliance. Supports aviation-related business development and logistics activity consistent with the airport’s role in the regional economy. Emphasizes revenue generation beyond traditional T-hangar and ground lease activity through aviation-related business development, partnerships, and strategic use of airport assets to support long-term financial sustainability.
Strategic Planning & Capital Improvements: Leads the airport’s long-range infrastructure and capital improvement strategy. Oversees project planning, grant compliance, and alignment with the City’s CIP and FAA requirements. Maintains and updates the Airport Master and Layout Plans to guide sustainable growth. Leads coordination of FAA CIP requests and grant documentation, and establishes airport policies, procedures, and performance standards that support effective program delivery and long-term organizational effectiveness. Oversees on-call engineering services and consultant coordination for capital projects. Supports future aviation initiatives, including drones and other uncrewed aircraft systems, as part of long-term economic and industry development efforts.
Property Management: Provides executive oversight of airport real estate strategy and oversees airport leasing, property acquisition, and compliance with all tenant agreements. Manages easements and development-related real estate activity, including consultant and contractor coordination.
Stakeholder Engagement: Advocates on behalf of the airport and acts as the primary liaison to the FAA, KDOT, Kansas Association of Airports (KAA), Airport Board, tenants, and the public. Prepares reports, manages procurement, and ensures excellent customer service. Supports city boards, attends industry meetings, and expands community engagement through outreach, events, and activities that strengthen public awareness of the airport’s role and value. Coordinates research, innovation, and partnership opportunities with the University of Kansas and other educational institutions, as appropriate.
Budget Management: Develops in coordination with Municipal Services & Operations Department, the annual operating budget and ensures alignment with operating objectives and strategic initiatives. Provides executive oversight of airport financial planning, resource allocation, and fiscal performance. Coordinates planning, development, and implementation of the Capital Improvement Program. Administers and ensures that plans, specifications, contracts, project oversight, accounting and record retention, and other related documentation comply with the FAA Programs.
Competencies
Strategic Execution: Develops long-term strategies and successfully leads projects from concept through completion, with executive accountability for outcomes related to airport operations, capital programs, and organizational priorities.
Change Management: Leads through complexity and transition, adapting plans and guiding teams to achieve results in dynamic regulatory, operational, and industry environments.
Team Leadership: Builds, coaches, and inspires a high-performing team; models professionalism and accountability while providing executive leadership across airport functions and external partners.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Serves as an advocate for airport and City priorities at the local, state, and federal levels. Builds and maintains productive relationships with regulatory agencies, tenants, contractors, city leadership, and the public; fosters transparency and alignment through effective engagement.
