- Company Name
- CLEAR
- Job Title
- VP, Airport Affairs & Business Development
- Job Description
-
**Job Title**
VP, Airport Affairs & Business Development
**Role Summary**
Lead CLEAR’s airport growth strategy and serve as the senior ambassador across the aviation ecosystem. Define market priorities, build a high‑value airport pipeline, and manage the full partnership lifecycle—from outreach and RFPs to commercial negotiations and operational handoffs. Elevate CLEAR’s brand with airport, aviation, and regulatory leaders while monitoring industry trends to drive long‑range growth.
**Expectations**
- Execute new airport partnerships (e.g., X per year) weighted by strategic value.
- Increase domestic market penetration percentage.
- Achieve 100 % renewal of existing agreements.
- Position CLEAR as a thought leader in airport passenger experience and secure identity.
**Key Responsibilities**
1. Define and lead the commercial strategy for airport partnerships, including market prioritization, partnership model assessment, competitive landscape analysis, and long‑term planning.
2. Build, drive, and convert the growth pipeline by identifying high‑value opportunities and engaging senior airport, aviation, and regulatory stakeholders.
3. Represent CLEAR at industry events, regulatory forums, and partner meetings to elevate the brand and shape policy discussions.
4. Own the partnership lifecycle: outreach, relationship development, RFP management, commercial modeling, deal negotiation, contract execution, and handoff to operations.
5. Establish partnership governance and best‑in‑class infrastructure for communication, data sharing, performance management, and joint planning.
6. Collaborate with operations leadership to champion airport partner needs and ensure exceptional member experiences.
7. Monitor aviation and airport trends, identify risks, and develop proactive mitigation and adaptation strategies.
**Required Skills**
- 10+ years of senior experience in airport affairs, aviation business development, corporate real‑estate, or related fields.
- Proven negotiation of complex commercial agreements (leases, operating agreements, multi‑party structures).
- Recognized thought leader with experience representing organizations before government, regulatory bodies, and senior aviation stakeholders.
- Exceptional stakeholder management: diplomatic, political acumen, long‑term relationship building.
- Advanced proficiency in executive communication tools (PowerPoint, Excel, Google Workspace) and data‑backed narrative development.
- Strong verbal and written communication; ability to influence at the executive level across functions and geographies.
- Project management skills for prioritizing diverse initiatives with urgency and sound judgment.
- Willingness to travel up to 75 %.
**Required Education & Certifications**
- Bachelor’s degree (required).
- Advanced degree preferred (MBA, MPA, JD).