Vice President of Public Safety

TheRaleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) a growing and forward-thinking airport serving one of the nations most dynamic regions is seeking a strategic and proactive leader to serve as its nextVice President of Public Safety. TheVice Presidentprovides executive leadership for the airports comprehensive public safety program overseeing law enforcement aircraft rescue and firefighting airport security & traffic control emergency operations and communications within a complex 24/7/365 aviation environment.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer the Vice Presidentensures operational readiness regulatory compliance and coordinated safety and security responses promoting professionalism accountability and ongoing improvement. This position offers the opportunity to shape strategy strengthen partnerships and guide multidisciplinary teams in maintaining a safe secure and resilient airport system.

About the Organization:

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939. The cities of Durham and Raleigh along withDurham and Wake counties each appoint two members to the board. The Airport Authority operates much like a small city and is similarly classified as such due in part to the fact that it has its own law enforcement and fire departments. The Authority employs 463 full-time and 35 part-time staff. The campus hosts approximately 5000 badge-holding employees who work for vendor partners (e.g. food/beverage/retail concessionaires airlines rental car companies as well as a variety of janitorial maintenance and engineering/architectural contractors).

Served by 19 airlines RDU offers flights to over 80 nonstop destinations across the United States Canada Mexico Europe and the Caribbean. Major carriers are American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines and newer entrants like Breeze Airways

. As RDU welcomes more guests adds new airlines and increases the number of destinations it serves capacity-related enhancements that will allow the airport to prepare for growth are underway.Vision 2040 isthe long-range roadmap the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority follows when making decisions about major campus construction projects. Vision 2040 calls for RDU top reserve existing infrastructure while planning for the future. Key highlights include the construction of a new 10000-foot runway capacity-driven terminal modifications and expansion ground transportation parking roadway construction and general aviation facilities. Details on the expansion are here : The Authority works closely with a number of federal agencies that have a presence at Raleigh-Durham International Airport including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

About the Community:

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is locatedat the western edge of Wake County midway between the cities of Durham and Raleigh in North Carolina. Wake County is home to 11municipalities including the capital city of Raleigh. Accessed by I-40 and four major U.S. highways Wake County is the most populous county in the state with a population of 1.2 million and growing. Consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work in America Wake County offers 11 principal colleges and universities includingNC State University. Wake County is also the center of state government with the Capitol Building legislature and many government offices located in the City of Raleigh.

Known as the City of Oaks Raleigh has received numerous awards recognizing its excellence economically culturally and 2025 the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh the #1 Best-Performing Large City in the U.S. citing its strong job growth and tech sector performance. U.S. News WalletHub and other national outlets have consistently named Raleigh a top city for real estate remote workers veterans and college students while also ranking it among the best places to live in America. Additionally Raleigh has received accolades in environmental leadership including Smart Cities awards and recognition for its urban agriculture and climate initiatives. Culturally Raleighs vibrant arts scene and food culture have earned praise fromSouthern LivingTravel Leisure and AAA with local chefs such as Ashley Christensen and venues frequently receiving national attention.

Raleigh has more than 9000 acres of parkland and almost 1300 acres of water offering recreational activities year-round. A nationally acclaimed greenway system spans more than 180 miles providing walking jogging and hiking trails that connect many of the City of Raleighs 200 parks and Town of Carys 30 parks.Dorothea Dix Park commonly known as Dix Park is Raleighs premier urban oasisa sprawling 308-acre landscape featuring rolling meadows mature oak groves and panoramic skyline views right on the edge of downtown. Highlights include the Southeasts largest adventure playgroundthe newly opened Gipson Play Plaza with climbing towers a sensory maze water features and picnic grovesand sprawling open fields perfect for picnics drones disc golf dog walking and sunset strolls.

The NHL Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Mudcats Low-A Baseball NC FC Mens and NC Courage Womens pro soccer teams attract visitors throughout the year and serve as an entertainment hub for community members and visitors alike.Raleighs cultural scene includes renowned institutions like the NC Opera NC Symphony and Carolina Ballet in addition to three major state museums that showcase the citys rich heritage in arts history and natural sciences.

Neighboring Durham County with a population of 326000 and located in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina is home toResearch Triangle Park and is one of the most economically competitive regions in the world. Research and development from many private and federal labs have fueled business and economic growth in Durham County and has made the region a world leader in life sciences information technology and clean technology. Consistently ranked among the top places to live work and play Durham is a magnet for talent which helps attract innovative companies working in high-growth industries. Also called the City of Medicine Durham has long been known for world-class medical facilities including top-ranked Duke University Medical Center and an industry-leading pharmaceutical sector. The healthcare industry in Durham County includes more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices with a combined payroll that exceeds $1.2 billion annually. More recently Durham County has become a hotspot for entrepreneurs and high-tech startups propelled by the launch of American Underground a startup incubator and accelerator.

Durham boasts a premier performing arts center and the Durham Bulls AAA baseball addition to Duke University Durham is home to North Carolina Central University the nations first public Historically Black College and University now a major center for biotech and bio-manufacturing R&D and Durham Technical Community College a key partner in preparing a competitive workforce. Private investment flourishes redeveloping former tobacco and textile warehouses and historic buildings into mixed-use developments filled with trendy housing options restaurants artist studios retail spaces and small businesses.Research Triangle Park(RTP) located just 6.5 miles from the RDU Airport is a 7000-acre special county research and production district encompassed on three sides by the city of Durham with a portion in Wake County and served by a Durham postal substation. RTP houses more than 170 major research companies employing 39000 full-time employees and 10000 contract workers.

About the Department and Position:

Raleigh-Durham International Airports Public Safety Department delivers integrated safety security and emergency response services essential to the airports continuous operations. The Public Safety Department includes airport law enforcement Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) airport security officers emergency management and the Airport Communications Center. The Public Safety Department works in close coordination with federal partners including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) United States Secret Service (USSS) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as state and local agencies to support regulatory compliance operational readiness and coordinated response capabilities within a complex and growing aviation environment.

TheVice Presidentprovides executive leadership for the airports public safety operations advancing the organizations mission vision and core values while ensuring safe secure and resilient airport operations. TheVice Presidentshapes strategic direction and guides the development implementation and continuous improvement of operational plans policies and programs that enhance effectiveness across public safety functions. Specific responsibilities include setting operational priorities allocating resources overseeing budgeting processes preparing reports and recommendations for executive leadership and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and sound business practices. TheVice Presidentregularly coordinates with airline leadership tenants federal partners local agencies and other stakeholders to support safe and efficient airport operations.

Overseeing a workforce of more than 150 employees theVice Presidentdirectly supervises three senior leadersthe Police Chief Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Operations/Communications Centerand provides strategic oversight across these operational areas. Because public safety is critical to airport operations this position is designated as Essential and theVice Presidentis required to be onsite during airport incidents such as emergencies or severe weather events.

Additionally theVice Presidentestablishes policies and standards oversees performance and provides leadership during significant incidents or emergencies when executive direction is required.

Key Position Priorities include but are not limited to:

RequiredQualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree

The Successful Candidate:

Salary and Benefits:
The hiring range is$with a full range of $00. Salaries are determined through a compensation calculation that evaluates experience and credentials for all positions. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority provides anexcellent benefits package.

To applyplease visit and click on theVice President of Public Safety Raleigh-Durham Airport Authoritytitle.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Developmental Associates LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process visit select Client Openingsand scroll down to Important Information for Applicants.