Chief Technology Officer

About Us

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is an award-winning, medium-hub commercial service airport that served more than a record-breaking 11\.1 million passengers in 2025 and is one of the top 50 airports in the United States for passenger traffic. Sixteen airlines serve RSW with nonstop service to more than 70 markets, including Canada and Germany. The economic impact of the airport is $8\.3 billion annually to the Southwest Florida region and more than 60,000 jobs. Page Field (FMY), an FAA-designated reliever airport, provides services to general and business aviation and accommodated more than 160,000 aircraft operations in 2025\. Base Operations at Page Field is an award-winning, fixed-based operator and has been recognized for its customer service and facilities.

Terminal Expansion projects are currently underway at RSW to improve the airport travel experience by consolidating the security checkpoints, adding concession space and providing passengers more amenities and options. In addition, a new Concourse E is being constructed with 14 gates, as well as other terminal, landside and airside improvements.

The Position

The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) is seeking a highly qualified and visionary leader for the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This executive leadership position is responsible for the strategic direction and administrative oversight of all IT infrastructure and services at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field (FMY).

The anticipated annual salary for the ideal candidate is between $170k and 195k.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Aviation Management, Business Administration, or closely related field
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in the information technology field, with at least three years in a senior leadership role overseeing complex IT projects and end-to-end development, testing, and governance of enterprise-level disaster recovery and business continuity plans
• Five years of supervisory or managerial experience in a high-volume, 24/7 infrastructure environment (e.g., airport, transportation, or government)
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Must Successfully pass a federal background check to obtain and maintain airport Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) clearance
• A valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the department's adherence to ITIL best practices, with a primary focus on Service and Change Management. This role will lead the strategic implementation of a robust Configuration Management Database (CMDB) to enhance operational oversight and drive continuous improvement across all airport IT functions
• Manage shared tenant services, ensuring essential infrastructure, internet, and telecommunications are delivered to air-service customers at competitive market rates
• Direct the strategic management and operational integrity of the Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) across all gates and check-in counters
• Accountable for the oversight and optimization of an $8 million annual operating budget; strategically forecast spending and manage precise financial planning to maximize the impact of IT investments, making sound economic decisions that support LCPA’s operational needs while maintaining cost-effectiveness
• Mange approximately 200 IT contracts, overseeing the end-to-end procurement lifecycle to include vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management, ensuring that all technology investments are cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with the airport’s operational goals
• Develop and refine the airport's comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data
• Ensure strict adherence to mandates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the State of Florida, the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy, and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)while overseeing security audits, incident response protocols, and organization-wide security awareness

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

Lee County Port Authority personnel are designated by tier levels and may be called upon to assist with an emergency or unforeseen event at any time. Employees may be called to fulfill duties that are outside their normal scope of work to assist in resuming airport operations and flight activities.

Overview Of Benefits

Please review full job description here

Florida Retirement System (FRS)

The Port Authority participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Employees have the option of choosing between two retirement plans:

• FRS Pension Plan – traditional retirement plan that offers a guaranteed monthly benefit upon vesting requirements
• FRS Investment Plan – benefit is based on contributions made to the account and on investment performance. Both plans require eligible employees to contribute 3% per paycheck, while the employer contributes 13\.63% for regular class or 32\.79% for Special Risk.

Medical Insurance

The Port Authority offers two plan choices for all full-time employees, their legally married spouse and their dependents. Coverage begins the first of the month following their date of hire.

Dental Insurance

The Port Authority offers a dental plan for full time employees, their legally married spouse and children.

Vision Insurance

The Port Authority offers two (2) affordable plans options to select: Low and High Plan.

Employee Assistance Program

The Port Authority provides this benefit at no cost to the employee. This is the availability of licensed professional counselors for personal issues with 100% confidentiality.

Flexible Spending Account(s)

There are two (2) types of FSA reimbursement accounts that allows contributions to be deducted from each paycheck before taxes to cover expense with pre-tax dollars. This lowers your taxable income. 1) Medical Expense Reimbursement – covers out-of-pocket expenses for medical, dental and/or vision expenses; 2) Dependent Care Reimbursement - covers daycare costs for dependent children under the age of 13 or elderly adult daycare.

Life /AD \& D Insurance

The Port Authority provides this benefit at no cost to the employee. Employees are insured at an amount equal to the annual salary rounded to the next higher thousand dollars. The AD\&D insurance provides additional coverage in the event the employee should lose their limb(s), eyesight or die.

Additional Life Insurance

The Port Authority provides the employee with an option to purchase additional life insurance coverage for him/herself, their spouse and their child(ren).

Short Term Disability

The Port Authority provides the employee with short term disability coverage for him/herself at no cost to the employee. Benefits are paid to 60% of salary up to nine (9) weeks.

Long Term Disability

The Port Authority provides this benefit at no cost to the employee. Benefits are paid up to 60% of the employee's salary after being disabled for 60 consecutive days.

Direct Deposit

The employee's payroll check is directly deposited into the bank of their choice.

Other Programs

457 Deferred compensation programs

Education reimbursement

On-site gym - RSW

Paid Time Off \& Holidays

The Port Authority offers a generous amount of paid time off in addition to 11 paid holidays, and 1 personal day

01

Do you have at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in the information technology field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least three years in a senior leadership role overseeing complex IT projects?

• Yes
• No

03

Briefly describe your experience managing an annual IT operating budget of at least $5M.

04

What IT or aviation certifications do you hold that will help you succeed in this role?

• Required Question