Commercial & Revenue Development Manager

SARASOTA MANATEE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Code:   3014

Grade:        41

Starting Salary Range: $88,917 - $102,254

Salary Range: $88,917 - $133,376

Closing Date: 08/14/2026

JOB TITLE:       Commercial & Revenue Development Manager

REPORTS TO:     Senior Vice President, Commercial & Revenue Development

DEPARTMENT:   Commercial Revenue Development (“Commercial” or “CRD”)

 

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision from the Senior Vice President, Commercial & Revenue Development (“SVP”), serves as part of the department's leadership managing the Authority's commercial portfolio, including commercial real estate, airlines, concessions, parking, rental cars, ground transportation, general aviation, and strategic business development initiatives.

Assists in developing and implementing commercial strategies that maximize airport assets, diversify revenue streams, enhance customer experience, and support the Authority's long-term financial sustainability and regional economic development objectives. Leads complex commercial negotiations, manages high-profile business relationships, oversees key commercial programs, and serves as a trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President on strategic commercial initiatives.

Maintains effective communication and collaboration across the Authority while serving as a key liaison with tenants, business partners, government agencies, and the public. Requires comprehensive knowledge of airport operations, commercial real estate, and property management. Exercises a high degree of initiative, independent judgment, and strategic decision-making in managing complex commercial matters and advancing the Authority's business objectives.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Lead development and implementation of commercial strategies, business plans, market analyses, and revenue optimization initiatives supporting the Authority's long-term strategic objectives.

 

• Manage, market and oversee commercial airport properties, general aviation, concessions (rental car, parking, food & beverage, retail, advertising, vending ground transportation, etc.), including maintaining databases and ensuring agreement compliance.

 

• Draft, negotiate, interpret, administer, and monitor commercial agreements, including leases, licenses, permits, concession agreements, operating agreements, and other contractual documents. Coordinate with the Authority's Legal Department to facilitate timely contract development, review, interpretation, negotiation, and administration while protecting the Authority's business interests.

 

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) and business processes to enhance efficiency, accountability, consistency, and service excellence.

 

• Develop and maintain commercial revenue forecasts, financial models, and executive performance dashboards to support strategic decision-making. Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to revenue growth, tenant performance, commercial portfolio performance, lease compliance, and business development initiatives.

 

• Prepare financial analyses, feasibility studies, market research, pro formas, and business cases to support commercial negotiations, capital investments, and revenue-generating opportunities. Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

 

• Oversee the airport t-hangar leasing program and waiting list, including meeting with prospective tenants, billing, maintenance requests, reporting, revenue forecasting, ensuring agreement compliance. Prepare occupancy and turnover reports, and recommend policy and procedure updates as needed.

 

• Assist SVP to develop and maintain working relationships with Economic Development organizations, local governments, Chambers, local businesses, and specific industries critical to airport growth.

 

• Responsible for efficiently managing various aspects of long- and short-term projects.

 

• Assist with developing and managing the department’s operating and capital budgets, as well as creating and monitoring commercial revenue forecasts. Prepare executive briefings, Board agenda items, business cases, and presentation.

 

• Lead negotiations for airport requests for proposals, bids or qualifications, concession agreements, leases, and parking lot management agreements in coordination with Authority’s attorneys and other appropriate staff.

 

• Manage the oversight, care and maintenance of SMAA vehicle storage.

 

• Administer tenant leasehold improvement processes through the tenant construction permit procedure to ensure compliance with agreements and the Authority’s minimum standards, rules and regulations.

 

• Manage ground transportation permitting, agreement compliance, investigate complaints, and recommend resolutions. Ensure all agreements comply with local laws and state statutes.

 

• Oversee the parking management agreement for contractual compliance, commercial performance, financial reporting, customer service, and continuous operational improvements. Investigate complaints, property damage claims, budget requests and recommend appropriate resolutions to SVP.

 

• Manage rental car concessions for compliance, investigate customer complaints, property injury/damage claims, operational concerns and recommend resolutions to SVP.

 

• Responsible for airport properties property tax obligations and relevant compliance, tax notices and payments.

 

• Research and prepare analytical studies to determine opportunities and potential impact of revenue streams, sometimes soliciting consultants and appraisers to forecast best alternatives.

 

• Conduct frequent inspections of Authority owned properties for agreement, insurance, and safety compliance. Investigates any associated property damage or personal injury accidents and interfaces with appropriate insurance representatives.

 

• Advertise available airport commercial properties; publish legal notices and auction announcements for contents removed from evicted tenants; and prepare bills of sale and receipts for auctioned goods.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of airport policies, procedures, and economic development practices (preferred).
• Knowledge of basic accounting and computer operations.
• Ability to plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate airport properties and business development activities, and analyze data and trends affecting the airport.
• Ability to lead staff, delegate tasks, set clear expectations, monitor and manage performance, and provide feedback.
• Ability to coordinate team efforts, resolve conflicts, and maintain accountability.
• Ability to draft, negotiate, interpret, administer, and enforce commercial agreements while balancing business objectives, legal considerations, and sound risk management practices.
• Strong communication skills for conveying priorities and instructions.
• Ability to work independently on complex and confidential tasks.
• Ability to make decisions aligned with airport rules, regulations, and ordinances.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and provide excellent public service.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Real Estate or related field and five (5) years of professional experience in commercial real estate administration and/or commercial properties management, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

 

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• A valid Florida driver’s license and the ability to drive airport vehicles to obtain access to airport/landside/airside facilities, and the AOA movement areas.

• Must obtain and maintain access to the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA).
• AAE, CM, USAP, CCIM, CPM or similar professional designations are highly
• Experience at a small, medium or large hub commercial service airport is strongly
• As an employee, you are deemed to be essential personnel as part of Authority’s emergency response, and must respond to airport incidents, as requested/required.