Director of Operations

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Location: Ankeny Iowa
Industry: Business & Charter Aviation
Schedule: Primarily onsite Occasional evenings weekends and on-call availability
Relocation Assistance: Provided

We are seeking an experienced Director of Operations (DO) to provide strategic and operational leadership for a growing Part 135 charter operation. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an aviation professional who understands the demands of safe compliant customer-focused flight operations and is ready to play a central role in shaping the organizations operational standards and culture.

As the FAA-required Director of Operations you will have ultimate responsibility for operational control of flights conducted under the companys Part 135 certificate. Youll work closely with the Chief Pilot Director of Maintenance Director of Safety and executive leadership to ensure every flight is conducted safely efficiently legally and in accordance with FAA regulations the companys Operations Specifications and General Operations Manual.

This role offers the opportunity to have a direct influence on flight operations safety compliance crew performance operational processes and the overall growth of the business.

• Exercise operational control or ensure operational control is appropriately delegated and documented for all Part 135 flight operations in accordance with 14 CFR 135.77.

• Provide leadership and oversight for day-to-day flight operations ensuring safety efficiency regulatory compliance and operational consistency.

• Oversee flight scheduling crew qualifications and currency duty/rest compliance and other critical operational requirements.

• Ensure weather airport fuel weight and balance dispatch-release and other flight-planning procedures meet company and regulatory standards.

• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency reliability safety and service.

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact with the FAAs assigned Flight Standards office.

• Maintain compliance with applicable FAA regulations Operations Specifications and company procedures.

• Maintain update and enforce the General Operations Manual (GOM) ensuring flight operations personnel are properly trained and compliant.

• Lead the organizations response to FAA inspections audits and enforcement inquiries.

• Ensure timely corrective actions and continuous improvement following audits inspections or operational findings.

• Maintain required management and personnel records and ensure FAA notifications are completed as required.

• Partner with the Chief Pilot on pilot training standardization qualification and check airman oversight.

• Partner with the Director of Maintenance to ensure maintenance coordination and airworthiness-release procedures support safe and reliable flight operations.

• Partner with the Director of Safety to maintain and continuously improve the companys Safety Management System (SMS).

• Participate in the investigation and resolution of safety events irregularities and hazard reports.

• Collaborate with executive leadership on staffing budgeting vendors operational performance and strategic initiatives.

• Establish a culture where safety accountability professionalism and operational excellence are the standard.

• Provide leadership and direction to flight operations personnel.

• Ensure employees understand and consistently follow company policies procedures and FAA requirements.

• Build strong relationships across flight operations maintenance safety and executive leadership.

Candidates must meet the applicable qualification requirements under 14 CFR 119.71.

For operations requiring an ATP-qualified PIC candidates must generally:

• Hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

• Have at least 3 years of supervisory or managerial experience within the last 6 years in a position exercising operational control over Part 121 or Part 135 operations; or

• For a first-time Director of Operations have at least 3 years of PIC experience within the past 6 years operating under Part 121 or Part 135; or for a previously qualified Director of Operations the applicable PIC experience required by 119.71.

For certificate holders conducting only operations requiring a commercial pilot certificate the applicable requirements under 14 CFR 119.71(b) apply.

Candidates must also:

• Have the training experience and expertise necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of applicable FAA safety standards FARs Operations Specifications maintenance/airworthiness requirements and the companys GOM.

• Meet applicable company and insurance requirements.

• Minimum 3 years of relevant supervisory management or PIC experience within the applicable Part 121 or Part 135 environment.

• Strong working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 91 119 and 135.

• Experience operating within an FAA-approved Operations Specifications framework.

• Prior Part 135 leadership experience such as Director of Operations Chief Pilot Assistant Chief Pilot or comparable operational leadership is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of flight operations crew management scheduling regulatory compliance and operational risk.

• Clean FAA/PRIA record and ability to successfully complete applicable background and insurance requirements.

• Business aviation executive charter or corporate aviation experience.

• Experience supporting high-net-worth or corporate clientele and their elevated service expectations.

• Experience implementing or maintaining an FAA Safety Management System (SMS).

• Familiarity with IS-BAO ARGUS or Wyvern programs/registrations.

• Bachelors degree in aviation management business administration or a related field.

• Experience with flight scheduling maintenance tracking crew management and flight operations software.

This is more than a compliance roleits an opportunity to shape the operational direction and culture of a Part 135 aviation organization. Youll work alongside experienced aviation leaders and executive management while having meaningful influence over safety operational performance regulatory relationships and the employee and customer experience.

If youre an aviation leader who combines sound operational judgment FAA regulatory expertise strong leadership and a commitment to safety this role offers an opportunity to make a visible impact.

• Based primarily at the companys Ankeny Iowa headquarters with regular interaction with flight operations and hangar facilities.

• Occasional evening weekend and on-call availability consistent with 24/7 charter operations.

• Periodic travel for FAA meetings training industry conferences and operational site visits.

This position is subject to the applicable qualification requirements of 14 CFR 119.69 and 119.71. Final qualification and acceptance of any candidate for the Director of Operations position remains subject to review by the responsible FAA Flight Standards office. Any potential deviation from applicable experience requirements is subject to FAA approval and is not guaranteed.

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Director