About the Job:

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking an Assistant General Counsel who will serve as a trusted legal advisor to the Authority’s General Counsel, Board of Directors, executive leadership, and departments across the organization. Working closely with the General Counsel, this role provides guidance on complex legal and governance matters that shape the operations of one of the nation’s busiest single-runway airports.

The Assistant General Counsel plays a key leadership role within the legal department, supervising members of the legal team while partnering with the General Counsel to support the Authority’s legal strategy. This includes advising executives and Board members on emerging issues, interpreting regulatory requirements, and helping the organization navigate complex legal questions in a dynamic public environment.

This role operates at the intersection of law, public governance, and infrastructure development. The Assistant General Counsel provides legal guidance on matters impacting airport operations, regulatory compliance, litigation strategy, and major capital projects, including the continued development of the New Terminal 1 program and future construction initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings sound legal judgment, confidence in executive settings, and the ability to communicate clearly with people across the organization, from Board members and senior leaders to frontline employees. At San Diego International Airport, this role offers a rare opportunity to advise on decisions that shape a critical piece of public infrastructure while working alongside leaders responsible for the airport’s future.

What You’ll Do:

• Advise Executive Leadership: Serves as a trusted legal advisor to the General Counsel, Authority Board, executive leadership, and departments by providing guidance on complex governance, regulatory, community, risk mitigation, and operational matters affecting airport operations.
• Lead Legal Team Operations: Oversees the work of Associate General Counsels, paralegal, and administrative staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing legal department.
• Provide Strategic Legal Counsel: Researches and analyzes complex legal issues and delivers clear, practical legal opinions that support informed decision-making by Board members and senior leadership.
• Draft & Negotiate Agreements: Reviews and prepares contracts, agreements, memoranda, and legal instruments supporting the Authority’s operations, partnerships, and business activities.
•  Oversee Litigation & Claims: Manages or represents the Authority in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and claims matters; develops legal strategies, directs outside counsel, and negotiates resolutions.
• Support Major Infrastructure Initiatives: Provides legal guidance on significant organizational initiatives, including airport development and capital improvement projects such as the New Terminal 1 program.
• Monitor Regulatory & Legislative Landscape: Tracks federal and state legislative and regulatory developments and advises leadership on potential impacts to Authority policies, practices, and operations.

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, at least five of which were in a supervisory capacity, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation with a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements :

• Current membership in good standing in the State Bar of California and admission to practice before State of California courts. If the State Bar membership is outside of California, must successfully pass the State Bar of California within one year of hire and maintain membership in good standing throughout employment with the Authority.

Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses:

• Experience practicing municipal law or airport/aviation law, including advising governing boards or executive leadership in a public infrastructure environment.

Learn more and apply at san.org/careers

The hiring salary for Assistant General Counsel is $275,200-$294,464. The full pay range for Assistant General Counsel is $200,145-$378,400.