Airport Art Program Manager

About the Role

San Diego International Airport is looking for an Airport Arts Program Manager focused on public art to join the Marketing, Arts & Air Service Development team. This role is responsible for shaping and delivering public art experiences across the airport campus, helping create a memorable cultural impression for travelers and the local community.

The position covers the full lifecycle of art initiatives, from early concept planning through installation. You will work closely with artists, vendors, contractors, internal departments, and external stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered smoothly within an airport environment.

What You’ll Do

• Lead public art projects from planning through completion while keeping timelines and budgets on track.
• Negotiate and manage agreements with artists and outside vendors.
• Identify potential future art locations and opportunities that align with the airport’s arts master plan.
• Work with internal teams, permitting groups, and public art networks to ensure compliance and align with best practices.
• Organize arts program activities and oversee assigned program areas, including schedules and budget tracking.
• Run project meetings and manage processes for Calls for Submissions, RFQs, and RFPs when needed.
• Support community engagement efforts such as workshops, public meetings, and outreach activities.
• Assist the Airport Arts Advisory Committee and help keep its work aligned with program objectives.
• Create and carry out maintenance and conservation plans for the public art collection.
• Drive Authority vehicles as needed to move equipment across the airport campus.

Skills and Attributes

This role calls for strong project leadership, clear communication, sound judgment, and the ability to build productive relationships across many groups. You should be comfortable solving problems, adapting to changing conditions, and coordinating multiple moving parts at once.

Work Location and Schedule

The role is based at San Diego International Airport, including the new Airport Authority Administration building and terminal areas near the waterfront. It follows a hybrid arrangement, with on-site attendance required based on department needs and remote work available on other days as determined by the department.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring salary range is $108,646 to $124,942 per year, with a full range of $83,574 to $133,718 per year. Benefits include 14 paid holidays, 18 to 33 days of PTO, parental and child care support, salary continuance for family and parental leave, tuition reimbursement, retirement options including a pension plan and a 457 defined contribution plan, and an employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account.

Additional wellness perks include access to on-site gyms, outdoor workspaces, fitness discounts, volunteer-time rewards, financial wellness advisors, and walking trails near campus.

Application Timing

Applications are due by July 13, 2026, and will be reviewed after that date.

Requirements

You should bring at least five years of progressively responsible experience in the development, coordination, administration, or management of civic or community arts and culture programs, public or fine arts programs, cultural events, or arts education programs, along with any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in art, art history, arts administration, business administration, public administration, or a closely related discipline is required.

Preferred qualifications include a graduate degree in architecture, arts, arts administration, cultural management, construction management, public art studies, or a related field, as well as professional credentials such as a General Contractor License, PMP, or LEED AP.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, be able to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle policy, and complete a fingerprint-based background investigation plus required training and testing for use of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio, and telecommunications equipment. Driving is an essential function of the job, and an acceptable driving record is required.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

The Authority provides equal employment opportunity regardless of protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law and offers reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need accommodation during recruitment, you should inform the Talent Acquisition Partner.

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 to 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers and may be required to participate in disaster service activities assigned by law or employer.