Sr. Director, Aviation

What Youll Do:

• Leadership and Management
  • Lead motivate develop and hold accountable the aviation operations team including chief pilots pilots maintenance staff and administrative personnel
  • Provide strategic leadership to the aviation team through clear expectations coaching mentorship performance feedback succession planning and a positive collaborative work environment
  • Champion a proactive safety-first culture where risk identification open reporting disciplined decision-making and continuous learning are embedded in day-to-day operations
  • Promote a just culture that encourages timely reporting of hazards incidents and near misses while maintaining clear accountability for professional standards and regulatory compliance
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency
• Operational Oversight
  • Oversee the planning execution and management of all aviation missions
  • Maintain flight currency and actively participate as an operating pilot in company aircraft as required by business and operational needs
  • Lead operational risk management practices covering flight planning weather crew duty and fatigue aircraft maintenance status passenger security international operations and mission-critical executive travel
  • Exercise sound independent judgment in advising senior executives on aviation risk operational feasibility aircraft availability and safety-related decisions
• Safety and Compliance
  • Ensure adherence to aviation regulations safety standards and best practices
  • Lead maintain and continuously improve the Aviation Safety Management System including hazard reporting risk assessment incident investigation corrective action tracking and safety performance monitoring
  • Develop and maintain safety programs and protocols
  • Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments
  • Develop and implement risk management strategies emergency response plans and business continuity practices for irregular operations incidents security events and other aviation-related disruptions
• Strategic Planning
  • Develop long-term plans for the aviation department including fleet management budgeting and personnel development
  • Collaborate with other departments to align aviation operations with the overall goals of the company
  • Develop and execute the departments goals and objectives in alignment with the overall organizational strategy by providing vision and direction to the aviation team
• Financial Management
  • Strong focus on data driven decision making aligned with our business executives
  • Manage the aviation departments budget and expenditures overseeing operating expenses capital expenditures and implementing cost control measures
  • Oversee procurement and maintenance of aircraft and aviation equipment
  • Oversee aircraft airworthiness maintenance planning reliability vendor performance and lifecycle decisions to ensure safe efficient and dependable fleet operations
  • Manage relationships and performance expectations with external aviation partners including maintenance providers training providers FBOs charter operators and other third-party service providers
• Stakeholder Communication
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding aviation operations
  • Prepare and present reports to senior management and other stakeholders
  • Maintain the highest standards of professionalism discretion confidentiality and service quality

What Youll Bring:

• Bachelors degree in aviation management business administration or a related field (Masters degree preferred)
• 15 years of experience in corporate aviation operations with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Relevant aviation certifications (e.g. TC/FAA ATP certificate)
• Licensed to fly Gulfstream 550/450 type rating with experience
• Willingness and ability to actively fly company aircraft as part of the role while balancing leadership safety and operational oversight responsibilities
• Exceptional leadership conflict resolution coaching performance management and organizational skills
• Proven ability to build motivate develop and hold accountable a high-performing aviation team
• Strong aviation technical knowledge and operational judgment to support disciplined safety-first decision-making
• Demonstrated experience leading a mature aviation safety culture including Safety Management System oversight incident review risk management and corrective action follow-up
• Strong executive presence discretion and judgment with the ability to advise senior leaders on aviation risk and operational trade-offs
• Experience managing complex corporate aviation operations including international travel executive support aircraft maintenance oversight vendor management and emergency response planning
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience managing a multi-aircraft fleet in a corporate aviation environment
• Demonstrated ability to make disciplined safety-first decisions under pressure including delaying cancelling or modifying missions when conditions warrant
• Knowledge of fatigue risk management crew resource management aviation security and operational risk assessment practices
• Minimum 2000 PIC hours on a large turbine aircraft
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations and standards
• First class medical and ability to cross international borders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure

What Youll Get:

• Purpose-Driven WorkMake an impact as part of a global team feedingthe future and support farmerslocally and around the world
• Excellent Benefits Comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage plus a retirement program with generous employer matching foryour future
• Grow Your Career Tuitionassistancefor future education and ongoing learning and training opportunities for career advancement pathwaysacross the organization
• Support When it Matters Employee Assistance Programs inclusive leaves and paid time for holidays volunteering vacation and wellness
• Thrive in a Strong Culture Guided by our core valueswe put safety first act with integrity are stronger together and deliver with excellence in a collaborative high-performing environment