Position Summary

The Director of Flight Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for an FAA Part 141 collegiate flight training program. This position oversees all aspects of flight operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, safety, instructional quality, fleet utilization, and operational excellence while supporting the continued growth of the aviation program.

Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of Flight Operations.
• Supervise and develop Flight Operations personnel.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, evaluate, and retain Flight Operations staff.
• Coordinate with the Chief Flight Instructor to recruit, train, and develop flight instructors.
• Coordinate with the Director of Maintenance to maximize aircraft availability and maintenance planning.
• Oversee fleet utilization, scheduling, and operational efficiency.
• Support strategic growth of the aviation program.
• Lead continuous improvement of training procedures, scheduling, safety initiatives, and customer service.
• Develop and administer the annual operating budget.
• Lead long-range operational planning for fleet growth, staffing, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Develop operational plans supporting enrollment growth and fleet expansion.
• Support student recruitment, retention, graduate placement, industry partnerships, and collegiate flight team activities.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, collaboration, accountability, customer service, innovation, and safety.

Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Qualifications, certificates, ratings, and experience required to oversee an FAA Part 141 flight training operation.
• Progressive aviation leadership experience.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations, aviation safety, and flight training operations.
• Strong leadership, communication, budgeting, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
• Commitment to student success and aviation program growth.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting growth of a collegiate or professional flight program.
• Experience with aviation logistics, fleet expansion, hangar, and ramp operations.
• Experience coordinating with aircraft maintenance departments.
• Experience with aircraft acquisition, lease management, budgeting, and capital planning.
• Experience improving fleet utilization, scheduling, and operational efficiency.
• Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Benefits
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Tuition remission.
• Paid holidays.
• Generous Paid Time Off.
• Professional development opportunities.

Compensation
• Not Specified