Magnifica Air · 2 hours ago
Aviation Real Estate and Facilities Director
Orlando, FL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
7+ years expMagnifica Air is redefining the future of travel with a focus on seamless journeys. The Aviation Real Estate & Facilities Director will lead all activities related to acquiring, developing, and managing airport properties and facilities, ensuring compliance with operational goals and regulations.
Airlines/Aviation
Hiring Manager
Brad Lambert
Responsibilities
Identify and evaluate land, terminal, and facility opportunities aligned with network and growth strategies
Lead lease, purchase, and development negotiations with airport authorities, municipalities, or FBOs
Ensure agreements comply with FAA grant assurances, airport layout plans (ALPs), and Part 121/139 operational requirements
Manage lease renewals, rent escalations, and property performance across multiple airports
Consider future Air Mobility Requirements and ensure facilities meet future needs based on known regulatory and airport requirements
Oversee planning, design, and construction of terminals, hangars, maintenance bases, training centers, and corporate offices
Coordinate with architects, engineers, and construction managers to deliver facilities on time and within budget
Develop and maintain a facility master plan supporting route expansion and operational efficiency
Ensure all facilities support safety, security, and passenger experience goals consistent with Part 121 standards
Collaborate with FAA, TSA, and airport operations to ensure regulatory compliance
Manage environmental and permitting processes including NEPA, zoning, and building codes
Maintain accurate site plans and documentation required for audits and certifications
Serve as primary liaison with airport property offices, port authorities, and local governments
Represent Magnifica Air in airport board meetings, tenant councils, and infrastructure planning discussions
Maintain relationships with FBOs, fuel providers, and ground-handling vendors
Design and oversee communication workflows after start of operations to ensure visibility into airport construction and regulatory issues, including noise abatement
Develop and oversee the real estate and facilities capital budget
Manage budget to +/- 5%
Build ROI-driven business cases for new facilities or lease expansions
Track facility costs and optimize lease portfolios to improve financial performance
Support executive leadership in network and hub planning
Coordinate with VP Tech Ops to assist in the oversight of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) for all owned or leased facilities
Implement GSE preventive maintenance programs to ensure safety, reliability, and asset preservation
In coordination with the Directors of Safety and Security, ensure compliance of all facilities with security, OSHA, fire, and airport safety regulations
Hire, train, and lead facilities project management staff
In coordination with the VP of Guest Service, select and manage consultants, contractors, and service providers
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence
Assist and lead all real estate, facilities, and operational readiness activities for each new base start-up
Develop a repeatable process and template to ensure a timely entry into service of any facility related to a new base. This should include square footage standards for each department based on number of departures anticipated
Secure required space (gates, ticket counters, crew rooms, operations offices, ramp areas) in partnership with airport authorities
Oversee build-out, installation, and activation of base facilities to ensure operational readiness
Coordinate cross-functionally with Flight Ops, Inflight, Tech Ops, Ground Ops, IT, and People teams to ensure seamless base activation
Establish opening-day critical path timelines and manage execution across internal and external stakeholders
Oversee procurement of all Ground Support Equipment (GSE) required for each new and existing station
Define equipment requirements based on reliability, operational needs, safety standards, and fleet specifications
Develop sourcing, maintenance, and standardization strategies for GSE and other base-required equipment
Lead vendor selection, negotiate pricing and service terms, and manage purchasing, delivery, and onsite commissioning
Ensure all equipment meets regulatory, operational, and safety standards
Manage asset tracking, warranty compliance, inventory, and lifecycle planning for GSE and station equipment
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in business administration, Real Estate, Aviation Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field, preferred
7–10 years of experience in airport property management, aviation real estate, or facilities development
Proven experience negotiating airport lease agreements and working with airport or government agencies
Experience in planning, design, and construction oversight of aviation or transportation facilities
Deep knowledge of airport real estate practices and FAA operating regulations
Strong budgeting, capital planning, and financial analysis skills
Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities
Ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously
Strong leadership and team development capability
Ability to travel domestically as needed
Preferred
10+ years in airport property management, aviation real estate, or airline facilities operations
Experience negotiating airport leases or development agreements
Strong understanding of FAA/TSA regulations, airport planning, and capital project management
Proficiency in MS Office and project management tools; AutoCAD familiarity preferred
Experience with FAA Part 139 and Part 121 environments preferred
Company
Magnifica Air
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase