Chief Legal Officer

Who are we?

Yes, we’re an airport, but that’s only part of the story. Without question, we are an organization on the precipice of great change, and on an upward trajectory that shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. We are a pivotal player in the economic health of our region, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We are about one year into an 8–10-year revitalization project, MoreRNO, that will change the face of our airport for decades to come. We’re not the City. We’re not the County. We’re not the airlines or the rental cars or the taxicabs or the shop owners. We are 290+ hard-working, innovative, and passionate people who take enormous pride in the work we do to operate the airport and to ensure that we have all the pieces in place to get people (and goods!) where they need to go in a safe, reliable, and secure fashion. This is an exciting role in a dynamic industry, and every day offers opportunities for leadership. There’s no shortage of excitement on our end. Intrigued? Read on…

Who are You?

Of course, you are a tenured Legal Executive! You have a demonstrated commitment to cultivating a positive, collaborative work environment that values teamwork, honesty, respect, recognition, integrity, innovation, versatility, and excellence. You thrive on a challenge, and love to be part of something that’s complex and are successful in providing legal support and advice to the Board of Trustees, Executive Leadership Team, and other RTAA staff. You understand how to operate from an enterprise business perspective to provide strategic legal leadership for the Airport Legal Development division in support of the RTAA’s strategic priorities. You are a seasoned executive who is excited to lead the RTAAs’ legal team. You appreciate the value of teamwork and bring your best self to work every day. You thrive in a position where no two days are alike, where your work makes a real difference, and where your efforts are central to the success of the big picture. You are committed to making a daily, positive contribution to your workplace’s culture. There is one position open, and both internal and external applicants will be considered.

The Position

This position is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction as it relates to the Authority’s legal functions and services. The position serves as a member of the Executive Management Team, reporting to the President/CEO. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this position provides highly responsible and complex management support to the President/CEO and works in close coordination with other members of the Executive Leadership Team to achieve the alignment of the division’s operations in support of the RTAA’s strategic priorities.

This is an executive position providing policy-level assistance in the management, development, operation of the airport’s ancillary facilities and legal services for the benefit of the airport.

Key Accountabilities – Operations Management
• Implements the goals, objectives, and procedures established in coordination with the President/CEO. Carries out directives and policies of the President /CEO.
• Assists the President/CEO in the formulation of policy concerning legal affairs.
• Assists the Commercial Division in lease and contract negotiations between RTAA and the airlines, the FAA, and other airport tenants.
• Manages, coordinates and oversees all legal activities of the airport, retains outside counsel and manages their assignments.
• Assists in negotiation for the purchase of real estate to be acquired by the airport and prepares and reviews all appropriate legal documents to close the transaction.
• Provides consultation to airport staff and Board on general legal questions that arise in the daily administrative operation of the airport. Reviews and finalizes the preparation of all legal documentation submitted to the Board for approval.
• Assures compliance with Nevada’s Open Meeting Law, advise the Board on legal matters, and participates in board member orientation.
• Provides assistance, as necessary, in the solution of large and complex complaints, investigations, and other discrepancies or problems through effective operational policy interpretation, in accordance with Authority interests.
• Consults on the establishment of operating rules and regulations relating to the use of airport buildings, grounds, and services. Determines priorities and directs the implementation of corresponding activities.
• Consults in the planning, interpretation, and administration of leases, permits, and contractual agreements for the use of airport facilities, services, and the occupancy of airport space.

Key Accountabilities – Grants
• Provides strategic direction and oversight of the Authority’s grant funding, ensuring appropriate management of projects in compliance with various grant requirements.
• Works with professional associations (internal and external) and government affairs professionals to plan and implement legislation efforts aimed at increasing grant participation.
• Works with community leaders, Board members, politicians, and business leaders, as necessary, to carry out the Authority’s stated goals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Extensive knowledge of, and ability to understand, interpret, advise, and apply, federal, state, regional, local, and aviation law, regulations, policies, standards, and practices of complex, specialized, and diverse business transactions and processes.
• Knowledge of Nevada Revised Statutes with emphasis on the Nevada Open meeting Law.
• Advanced ability to exercise sound, expert, independent judgments, provide accurate counsel, and reach appropriate conclusions within broad policies and guidelines.
• Strong ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies, and other written materials.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Communication - Engages and inspires employees to action Authority-wide through clear and persuasive communication; influences stakeholders to advance strategies; Listens actively (demonstrates nonverbal behaviors that shows respect for others’ ideas); Promotes an environment which fosters open sharing of opinions on tough issues.
• Strategic Thinking - Stay up to date on industry trends and competitive best practices; Able to identify long-term (2 years) risks to key objectives and develop plans to mitigate them.
• Team Leadership - Works cross departments to effectively influence deploying Authority resources; Adapts leadership style to match the needs of the situation, team or individual; Develops successors across departments; Demands “one team” environment to drive cross-functional collaboration.

Miscellaneous

• Fosters employee relations as established by the Airport Authority
• Adheres to and upholds all Airport Authority rules, policies, and procedures adopted by the Airport Authority (e.g. harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, etc.)
• Represents and conducts self in a professional manner.
• Maintains and supports a high level of customer service to peers, partners and passengers.
• Adheres to safe operating procedures set forth by the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and OHSA.
• Other assignments and/or duties as directed by a member of management.

How to apply: Please read the following carefully. We want you to be successful, and there are certain things that you need to know. We use your application (not your resume) to determine whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications. To find out more, visit https://renoairport.breezy.hr/

Minimum Qualifications: Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited school of Law.

Required Experience: Twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years of extensive management experience with exposure to contract administration, property management and airport management. Knowledge of federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations governing the administration of airports and with Nevada law. Minimum three to five (3-5) years’ experience in supervising direct reports. Airport legal experience is strongly preferred.

Required Licensing: Knowledge of Nevada Revised Statues related to airports and public boards. Possess, or obtain prior to employment a valid driver’s license. Note: License(s) must be maintained throughout employment.

Required Cover Letter: A cover letter and resume must be attached to the application that addresses the applicant’s skills as a leader, how his/her education and experience qualify them for this role, and how they will benefit and advance the mission, vision and values of the RTAA.

Entry Salary: $210,000 – $275,000 annually. Initial salary placement will be based upon experience and qualifications. This is a management at-will position, which is salaried and is exempt from overtime.

Benefits: The RTAA offers a competitive wage and benefit package and provides a high-quality work-life balance. Employee benefits include 100% employer paid contributions to the Nevada PERS retirement program; 100% employer paid health insurance for the employee; paid vacation and sick leave; and 14 paid holidays per year.

Selection Procedure

Pre-Employment Requirements: The RTAA requires each candidate to successfully complete employment history verification prior to being considered for employment. All employment offers are subject to successful completion/passing of a drug-screening test, a fingerprint criminal history records check, and security badging test.

Review of Application: After submission, the application will be reviewed to determine if it is complete and if minimum qualifications are met. For those applicants found to meet minimum qualifications, the next step of the process will be an application evaluation. It is essential that applications include detailed information regarding education and experience to enable evaluation of the application.

Interview Process: Based on the application evaluation process, only the most qualified applicants will be considered for an interview. The interview process may include an initial panel interview, followed by subsequent assessment exercises to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks and/or employment interviews with other RTAA personnel.

Pre-Employment Requirements: The RTAA requires each candidate to successfully complete employment history verification prior to being considered for employment. All employment offers are subject to successful completion/passing of a drug-screening test, a fingerprint criminal history records check, and an Airport Security Badging test.

A fully completed official online RTAA Employment Application must be submitted through an online process. This position will remain open until we have received enough applications to make a hiring decision, so apply right away. To apply, visit: www.renoairport.com/careers.

Please read the following carefully! We want you to be successful, and there are certain things that you need to know. We use your application (not your resume!) to determine whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications.

Tips For Success

• For each job, use the “Experience: Work History” section to carefully describe your work experience, education, training, and any other information you’d like us to know. Please attach a resume and a cover letter.
• Make sure you clearly state how you meet the minimum qualifications listed on the job announcement.
• Please provide at least five years of employment history. If you had more than one position with the same employer, list each position separately along with the time or dates you were in each position.
• Explain any gaps of employment of 6 months or more in the work history section. To do this, just add a ‘New Position’ and write ‘Unemployed’ for the Company and what was occurring under the 'Title' (e.g., unemployed, student, etc.), and list dates.

Questions about the application, recruitment, and/or selection process, the physical demands of the position, or requests for a reasonable accommodation, should be addressed to the RTAA People Operations Office at (775) 328-6450.

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority welcomes, values and respects diversity and inclusiveness practices that honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.

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Last updated on Oct 7, 2024