Senior Manager, Airport Communications Center

Port of Portland
$115,500.00 - $169,500.00 Annually
life insurance, parental leave, vacation time, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
United States, Oregon, Portland
7200 Northeast Airport Way (Show on map)
Jan 27, 2026
The Position The Port of Portland is hiring a Senior Manager of Airport Communications Center This senior manager position provides strategic direction and leadership for the Airport Communications Center (ACC). It is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating plans and initiatives in support of staff, systems, and processes that are essential to safe and effective public safety and security operations. From the hiring manager: The senior manager for the Airport Communications Center sets strategy and provides leadership for a critical public safety department at PDX. You would lead a team of highly dedicated professionals responsible for dispatching first responders, triaging medical calls, managing the response to infrastructure breakdowns, and assisting PDX travelers. You also will manage the transition to a new department structure and provide direction on technology and system improvements to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. Essential Job Duties Key Responsibilities Operational Responsibilities. Provide overall leadership, management, strategic direction, and day-to-day support to staff within the ACC. This includes, but is not limited to, management of ACC leadership staff, oversight of all ACC systems, procedures, and call center management, and development of ACC strategic objectives and work plans. Responsible for collaborating with IT and the PDX Innovation Director on technology plans and system improvements. Assist ACC Managers and Supervisors with the management of all ACC staff and with addressing system administration issues as they arise. Set the strategic objectives for the continuous improvement of both processes and employee performance; manage the development and maintenance of a comprehensive training and certification program for all staff; address deficiencies and implement disciplinary procedures. Mentor ACC Managers and Supervisors and lead them through strategic issues and continuous process improvement for the overall department and in support of the Aviation Business Plan and Port strategic goals. In alignment with the Aviation Business Plan and the Public Safety & Security Work Plan, maintain high awareness of the latest developments of industry technology, information technology, and organizational design, making recommendations for improvements, updates, and upgrades to all systems within the ACC while ensuring compatibility with existing and planned technologies. For represented staff, promote positive labor-management relations and ensure compliance with labor contracts and Port, Police Department, and Communications Center policy; address contract grievances in a timely manner; assist with labor agreement strategies and negotiation; oversee the hiring process for dispatchers; interact with stakeholders and be a positive liaison for all ACC issues; represent the ACC on Port, local, regional and national working groups at meetings. Full job description available upon request. Minimum Qualifications Eight (8) + years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of Emergency Dispatch, Operations Dispatch, or Public Safety. Five (5) + years' mid-level management experience in public safety and operations dispatch; experience as a public safety or operations dispatcher is preferred; or the equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience. Bachelor's Degree - Business/Public Administration, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Communications, Operations, or Maintenance Management. (Additional experience may substitute for the education qualifications.) Master's degree preferred. Successful clearance of a pre-employment background check (Red Badge and CJIS). Driver's License. Pre-employment drug screening. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Advanced experience - emergency communications protocols for law enforcement (EMS and Fire) Advanced experience - Computerized maintenance management systems and theories Advanced experience - Labor best practices Advanced experience - Leadership & Team Management Advanced experience - Budgeting and strategic planning Supplemental and Selection Information Selection Process: (tentative schedule): A minimum qualification evaluation of the education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until this role closes on 2/8/2026. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials. Our goal is to notify candidates who are selected for interviews by 2/16/2026. We will then schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation at the beginning of January. Panel Interviews will be held afterward. About us: At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change! Do you have questions about this job? Contact us: careers@portofportland.com Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence. Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination. Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process. Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions. ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal