City of Philadelphia
City economic development offering business support
Manager – Passenger Accessibility - Aviation
Must establish and maintain residency in Philadelphia within 6 months of appointment.
About the job
- Bachelor’s degree in accessibility studies, disability studies, public administration, urban planning, architecture, aviation management, business administration, transportation, hospitality, customer experience, or a related field.
- Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in ADA compliance, accessibility strategy or services, disability inclusion, inclusive design, customer or guest experience, transportation, public administration, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives, building stakeholder relationships, managing complex issues, and translating regulatory or technical requirements into practical improvements.
- Knowledge of ADA requirements, accessibility standards, inclusive design principles, and disability rights frameworks.
- Knowledge of passenger accessibility and assistance best practices across physical, digital, communication, and service environments.
- Knowledge of airport operations, tenant and airline roles, and the distinction between airport, airline, contractor, and concessionaire responsibilities.
- Knowledge of accessibility assessment, complaint management, corrective action planning, risk management, and documentation practices.
- Knowledge of hidden disability programs, inclusive communication methods, alternative formats, assistive technologies, and emerging accessibility innovations.
- Knowledge of program development, performance measurement, community engagement, and organizational change management.
- Skill in leading complex, cross-functional programs from strategy through implementation and continuous improvement.
- Skill in communicating with empathy, clarity, professionalism, and discretion when supporting passengers and community members.
- Skill in influencing departments, agencies, tenants, contractors, and partners without relying on direct authority.
- Skill in reviewing facilities, plans, policies, services, communications, and digital experiences for accessibility and inclusive design.
- Skill in facilitating stakeholder meetings, advisory groups, training, negotiation, mediation, and issue resolution.
- Skill in analyzing qualitative and quantitative information, identifying trends, and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
- Skill in developing dashboards, reports, presentations, workplans, and executive-level updates.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with people with disabilities, advocacy organizations, airport partners, and City stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to complex, real-world airport environments.
- Ability to balance compliance, passenger needs, operational realities, and long-term strategic goals.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.
- Ability to handle sensitive passenger concerns and organizational issues with patience, discretion, and accountability.
- Must obtain and maintain a Security Badge, SIDA clearance, and Security Threat Assessment clearance at appointment and throughout employment.
- Lead the development, launch, implementation, and continuous improvement of Access PHL, establishing priorities, workplans, performance measures, and cross-functional accountability.
- Coordinate the Airport’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable federal, state, and local accessibility requirements.
- Evaluate the end-to-end passenger journey through an accessibility lens, identifying barriers and opportunities across physical, digital, operational, service, and communication touchpoints.
- Partner with airport departments and external stakeholders to embed accessibility into planning and decision-making.
- Review new construction, renovations, leased spaces, floor plans, signage, operational changes, programs, and services for accessibility impacts and inclusive design opportunities.
- Manage programs and services supporting passengers with mobility, hearing, vision, cognitive, sensory, hidden disability, language, and other access needs, including the Hidden Disabilities Lanyard Program.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for passenger accessibility questions, feedback, grievances, and complaints; ensure timely, documented responses and corrective action.
- Conduct and maintain airport-wide accessibility self-assessments; prioritize findings, develop corrective action plans and cost estimates, and track progress through resolution.
- Monitor passenger-facing facilities and services in person to identify accessibility issues, document findings, and coordinate corrective action.
- Work with airlines, tenants, contractors, concessionaires, passenger assistance providers, SEPTA, and other external partners to clarify responsibilities, promote compliance, and resolve accessibility issues.
- Create and support training, education, and awareness initiatives for airport employees, frontline teams, tenants, and partners.
- Advance alternative formats, assistive technologies, accessible digital tools, wayfinding solutions, and other innovations.
- Establish and maintain relationships with disability advocacy organizations, community leaders, passengers, City partners, and industry peers.
- Develop and facilitate an external accessibility advisory committee or comparable engagement forum.
- Partner with Marketing, Communications, and Guest Experience to ensure accessibility information is accurate, current, understandable, and consistently communicated across passenger channels.
- Ensure required accessibility notices and contact information are visible and accessible, and keep the accessibility website content accurate and current.
- Develop performance measures, dashboards, and recurring reports covering accessibility performance indicators.
- Use qualitative and quantitative data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and communicate progress and risks to leadership and stakeholders.
- Research and benchmark accessibility best practices, emerging technology, and inclusive passenger experience programs.
- Promote Access PHL through education, benchmarking, conference participation, industry collaboration, and strategic storytelling.
- Negotiate and mediate on behalf of PHL when grievances or noncompliant conditions arise.
- Coordinate with the City of Philadelphia Office of People with Disabilities, Business Diversity and Inclusion, Language Access, and other City units.
- Serve as an internal ambassador and change leader for accessibility, building organizational awareness, capability, and shared ownership across the airport community.
- Experience developing or scaling an accessibility program.
- Experience conducting accessibility audits or self-assessments.
- Experience using data and performance measures to guide improvements.
- Experience working in aviation, transportation, hospitality, or another complex public-facing environment.
- Experience partnering directly with disability communities or advocacy organizations.
About the company
Philadelphia's Department of Commerce acts as the city's economic catalyst. It helps local businesses by providing one-on-one assistance through the Office of Business Services and by funding or partnering with neighborhood organizations to connect firms with resources. The department aims to make Philadelphia a globally competitive economy that benefits everyone who lives, works, or does business in the city, and to make the city a more vibrant destination where employers flock, entrepreneurs thrive, and innovation grows. It achieves this through neighborhood-focused outreach, personalized support, and collaboration with local partners to offer a broad range of services rather than a single product.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded
N/A
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- PICA approved Philadelphia’s five-year plan on July 28, 2026, preserving budget credibility.
- ChargePHL’s vendors fund construction, maintenance, and operations, limiting city capital exposure.
- The city opened anti-violence grants up to $1 million on August 28, 2026.
What critics are saying
- PICA warned on July 28, 2026, Philadelphia faces a structural deficit and shrinking reserves.
- DOJ expanded its ICE lawsuit on August 25, 2026, threatening injunctions and legal costs.
- A severe federal aid shock forces service cuts and revives state oversight pressure.
What makes City of Philadelphia unique
- Philadelphia’s ChargePHL will deploy up to 1,000 curbside Level 2 chargers citywide in 2027.
- Parker’s 2026 budget paired $800 million H.O.M.E. bonds with citywide tax cuts.
- The city still controls a $7.1 billion operating budget across 18 planning districts.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Flexible Work Hours
Hybrid Work Options
Paid Vacation
Phone/Internet Stipend
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Stock Options
Company Equity
Company News
It's electric has signed an agreement with Philadelphia to deploy up to 1,000 Level 2 curbside electric vehicle chargers across the city, making Philadelphia the first US city to pursue city-wide curbside charging at this scale. City Council is set to vote on enabling legislation in June. The network will prioritise neighbourhoods based on rideshare driver density, lack of existing charging infrastructure and environmental justice considerations. More than 60% of Philadelphia households lack off-street parking, making curbside charging essential for EV adoption. It's electric's hardware draws power from existing buildings and utility poles, avoiding interconnection delays and grid upgrades. The first chargers are scheduled to go live in early 2027, with deployment spanning all 18 city planning districts.