General Manager - JFK NTO

Overview

Senior leader managing operations, contracts, finance & tenants at JFK's New Terminal One.

Key Responsibilities

• budget management
• contract compliance
• stakeholder management
• construction monitoring
• business planning
• revenue generation

Tasks

A critical component of this role includes full ownership and oversight of URW’s contractual relationship with the Terminal Operator. The GM ensures all service level agreements and operational requirements outlined in the contract are not only met but enforced—holding all parties accountable to key performance metrics, quality standards, and agreed-upon deliverables. This includes proactive coordination, issue escalation, compliance oversight, and risk mitigation across all shared operational domains. The General Manager (GM) of The New Terminal One (NTO) at John F. Kennedy International Airport is the senior-most operational leader on-site, accountable for the overall performance, strategic execution, and commercial success of URW’s flagship commercial program. Reporting to the Vice President - JFK and collaborating closely with Development, Leasing, Marketing, Legal and Finance teams, the GM drives operational excellence, fosters high-impact stakeholder relationships, and delivers on URW’s ambitious vision to redefine the airport experience. -Monitor monthly financial performance, implement cost controls, and forecast short- and long-term expenses. -Represent URW at community events, internal forums, airport committees, and partner functions. -Stakeholder Management – Builds trusted partnerships with clients, public agencies, and internal departments. -Oversee common area maintenance, vendor contract execution, and facility upkeep in partnership with terminal operators. -Promote a culture of safety, collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation. -Monitor construction activity and ensure it aligns with design, safety, and scheduling standards. -Develop and manage annual budgets (OPEX and CAPEX), ensuring alignment with financial targets and operational priorities. -Serve as a senior on-site representative and operational lead for The New Terminal One concessions program. -Partner with Retail Delivery and Leasing teams to ensure timely, high-quality store openings. -Build and maintain trusted relationships with the Terminal Operator, PANYNJ, tenants, airline partners, and local stakeholders. -Ensure contract and procurement compliance with corporate and regulatory standards. -Maintain full ownership of URW’s contract with the Terminal Operator; ensure all contractual commitments are upheld and proactively enforce compliance, performance standards, and service delivery requirements. -Collaborate cross-functionally with Leasing, Marketing, Design, Development, and Tenant Coordination teams to deliver on project timelines and milestones. -Lead external communication and positioning of NTO as a world-class travel, retail, and cultural destination. -Serve as a knowledgeable resource for navigating public sector frameworks, including Port Authority procedures and approvals. -Proactively identify risks or policy changes that may impact the business and drive mitigation strategies. -Set goals and performance standards, conduct evaluations, and manage professional development for direct reports. -Support lease compliance, operational readiness, and retail performance—working closely with URW’s Leasing and Tenant Coordination teams. -Drive sales growth and tenant engagement initiatives, collaborating with the Marketing Director to launch programs that enhance the traveler experience. -Champion the terminal’s commercial, operational, and customer experience strategies—ensuring full alignment with URW’s brand and mission. -Serve as the primary point of contact for all concessionaires within NTO, ensuring tenant success from onboarding through operations. -Escalate and resolve contract deviations or underperformance in collaboration with Legal, Operations, and senior leadership. -Lead efforts to meet or exceed DBE participation goals; oversee certification tracking, reporting, and compliance. -Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive 5-year business plan for The New Terminal One, aligning URW’s commercial, operational, and experiential goals with evolving passenger trends, client priorities, and airport partner strategies. -Drive profitability and revenue generation through oversight of leasing performance, ancillary income, and storage programs. -Ensure the program is fully compliant with all airport regulations, DBE requirements, and local/state/federal mandates. -Build and lead a high-performing site team with accountability, alignment, and a shared vision for excellence.

Requirements

• microsoft office
• project management
• mba
• 7-10 years
• leadership
• airport ops

What You Bring

Acting as URW’s primary liaison with key partners, including the Terminal Operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), tenants, airline clients, and government agencies, the GM must navigate a highly matrixed environment with strategic agility, operational rigor, and a partnership-first mindset. -Proven experience managing complex budgets, client relationships, and vendor networks. -Strategic Thinking – Sees the big picture; connects operational details to broader business objectives. -Financial Acumen – Manages budgets, forecasts, and financial performance with precision. -Familiarity with airport operations, public-private partnerships (P3), and regulatory compliance highly preferred. -Customer-Centricity – Champions traveler experience and partner success at every touchpoint. -Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in airport, real estate, retail, hospitality, or transportation environments. -Communication Skills – Articulates complex ideas clearly and persuasively across audiences. -Agility – Adapts quickly in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment. -Proficient in Microsoft Office, budgeting tools, and project management software. -Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Real Estate, or a related field; MBA or relevant graduate degree preferred. -Leadership – Empowers and inspires teams; sets clear direction and expectations. -Demonstrated success in cross-functional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change management.

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Benefits

Do you want to help revolutionize a major industry? At Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), you’ll have the opportunity to impact the future of airports by developing innovative and engaging places that reinvent being together. Come join a team that builds excitement about working at URW. You’ll get to work with leaders who are passionate about tackling changing consumer behavior with innovative experiences. All this bold vision means the company culture embraces evolution and change. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) is driven by an entrepreneurial foundation of talented and ambitious employees who embrace change, strive for innovation, and know when to venture into uncharted terrain. Teams within URW are collaborative and thrive by working together to seize opportunity and solve challenges. Employees receive mentorship and guidance while being empowered to drive their initiatives, embracing their individuality and unique backgrounds. URW‘s flagship destinations are interwoven into the community fabric, and we give employees the power to be impactful in their work and lead meaningful change in our communities through volunteering, DE&I programming and leading ESG efforts. URW is an innovator and trend setter in experiential entertainment and is making bold moves to be a brand that creates inspiring consumer experiences in-person and digitally. Breaking beyond conventional beliefs, URW is surprising and delighting customers by reinventing being together and creating memorable moments. -$125,000 – $168,000 per year + Discretionary Annual Bonus

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

-A major player in global retail and commercial real estate development. -Specializes in creating landmark retail, leisure, and mixed-use spaces that blend with their communities. -Owns and operates iconic shopping centers, office buildings, and residential properties across Europe and the US. -A history of high-profile developments, including flagship Westfield centers in major cities worldwide. -Focuses on transforming large-scale properties into dynamic destinations that draw in visitors and create lasting value. -With a portfolio spanning major cities like Paris, London, and New York, it is a cornerstone of the global retail landscape. -Pioneers in integrating innovative design, technology, and customer experience in every project. -In recent years, has expanded into residential developments and mixed-use urban projects to adapt to changing market demands.

Sector Specialisms