The Airport Director serves as the accountable executive for TrentonāMercer Airport (TTN), Part 139ācertificated, county-owned commercial service airport. Reporting to Mercer County Executive leadership, the Airport Manager has delegated authority to operate the airport as a complex public enterprise and serves as the Airport Sponsorās authorized representative to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
The Airport Director has full responsibility for airport operations, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, capital planning and delivery, commercial development, organizational leadership, and external stakeholder relations. This role requires a seasoned executive capable of exercising sound judgment in a highly visible, politically nuanced environment while positioning the airport for long-term operational, financial, and institutional resilience. This position is being recruited at a pivotal moment as the airport advances a multi-year capital redevelopment program and long-term strategic transformation.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT (2025ā2030):
TrentonāMercer Airport is entering a defining period of transformation. The airport operates at the intersection of commercial air service, general aviation, federal compliance obligations, and strong community interest and engagement.
A recently completed Master Plan identifies a multi-year redevelopment program, including construction of a new passenger terminal of approximately 125,000 square feet, a structured parking facility, a new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) facility, a new air traffic control tower, and a new lighting vault.
Design of the new terminal is complete, construction of the ARFF facility is underway with anticipated completion in 2026, and design of supporting infrastructure is advancing. In parallel, the airportās fixed-base operators are planning significant private-sector investments.
The airport is currently served by Frontier Airlines and historically supported 404,289 enplaned passengers in 2018. Estimated enplanements for 2025 are approximately 340,000, with long-range projections of 476,507 enplaned passengers by 2035. Mercer County is seeking to strengthen air service, advance sustainable revenue-generating initiatives, and establish a durable financial framework capable of supporting future capital investment.
The Airport Director is expected to lead this next chapter with discipline, credibility, and strategic foresight.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Executive Leadership and Governance: Serve as the senior executive accountable for all airport outcomes. Exercise delegated authority for day-to-day decision-making while maintaining alignment with County leadership. Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing organization; establish performance expectations, accountability frameworks, and succession planning. Provide clear, timely, and credible communication to elected officials, County administration, regulators, and stakeholders.
Regulatory Compliance, Safety, and Operations: Serve as the Airport Sponsorās primary representative to the FAA and other regulators. Ensure full compliance with Part 139, Airport Improvement Program Grant Assurances, Transportation Security Administration requirements, and applicable environmental obligations. Maintain effective safety management systems, emergency preparedness, ARFF readiness, and security programs. Direct airfield, terminal, landside, and general aviation operations to ensure safe, reliable performance under normal and emergency conditions.
Financial Stewardship and Revenue Strategy: Lead development and execution of the airportās operating and capital budgets consistent with federal requirements and County guidance. Oversee revenues, expenses, leases, and airline agreements. Establish and maintain a long-term financial framework that balances capital affordability, airline competitiveness, regulatory compliance, and revenue diversification. Partner with the County Chief Financial Officer to implement financial controls, forecasting, and reporting consistent with FAA standards and industry best practices.
Capital Planning and Project Delivery: Serve as the accountable executive for all capital programs, including FAA-funded projects and major redevelopment initiatives. Provide executive oversight of consultants, contractors, schedules, budgets, and risk management. Lead grant application, administration, and compliance activities to ensure continued eligibility for federal funding.
Airline, Tenant, and Commercial Relations: Act as the senior point of contact for airlines, tenants, concessionaires, and business partners. Lead negotiation and administration of leases, permits, and operating agreements. Foster a commercial environment that supports air service retention and growth, private investment, and non-aeronautical revenue development consistent with the airportās strategic objectives.
Community and External Affairs: Serve as the airportās principal public representative. Proactively engage surrounding communities, elected officials, regulators, and business partners with transparency and professionalism. Address community concerns while maintaining operational integrity and regulatory compliance.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS ā FIRST 24 MONTHS:
Organizational Leadership and Talent Development: Written organizational assessment; documented staffing and succession plans; and periodic written updates on leadership development and organizational performance.
Capital Program Leadership and Delivery: Written capital program governance frameworks; quarterly capital status reports addressing scope, schedule, budget, risk, and mitigation; and written confirmation of continued FAA compliance.
Financial Framework and Long-Term Sustainability: Written multi-year financial framework integrating operating performance, capital affordability, airline rates and charges, and revenue diversification, supported by forecasts and scenario analyses.
Airline, Tenant, and Commercial Confidence: Written airline engagement and air service strategies; documented summaries of major agreements; and written recommendations supporting commercial and private-sector investment decisions.
Community, Stakeholder, and Public Trust: Written community engagement strategies; documented responses to significant stakeholder issues; and written briefings to County leadership on stakeholder sentiment and emerging risks.
Executive Credibility and Governance: Regular written executive briefings; decision memoranda supporting major actions; and clear written communications reinforcing transparency, accountability, and executive credibility.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelorās degree in aviation management, public administration, business, engineering, or a related field
Progressive senior-level leadership experience at a commercial service airport or a comparable transportation infrastructure enterprise
Demonstrated experience with FAA Part 139 compliance and Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant Assurance obligations
Subject to initial and ongoing background investigations
Ability to obtain and maintain all required security credentials
Possession of, and ability to maintain, a valid driverās license
Ability to establish residency in Mercer County, New Jersey within one (1) year of appointment and maintain residency thereafter, in accordance with County residency requirements
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced degree in a relevant discipline
Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation or the ability to obtain
Senior executive experience at a commercial service airport, including leadership through capital development and organizational change
Ewing, New Jersey, 08628
United States