Aviation Management Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Area Director, Operations provides strategic oversight and direct management of their designated area field-based operations leadership teams, emphasizing safety, service, and financial performance. The Director will provide a strategic vision to lead, direct, and support activities for their assigned area in accordance with Signature's standards, governmental agency, and/or airport authority policies and regulations, including health, safety/security, and environmental compliance, guest experience, line operations, P&L/KPI responsibility, building a performance-based culture with a focus on talent management and development, facilities management, business development/sales, airport, and community relations.

With more than 225 locations worldwide, Signature Aviation is the largest global network of private aviation terminals, delivering safe, convenient, and elevated experiences to those we serve. As a premier hospitality organization and a certified Great Place to Work, we are committed to redefining private air travel. Our nearly 6,000-strong team of aviation experts and enthusiasts is dedicated to delivering excellence to our guests and communities, and it starts with taking care of our team. Signature provides a variety of benefits, programs, and resources to support our team members' overall well-being and professional development. We proudly volunteer and give back, focusing on elevating the neighborhoods where we operate, empowering the next generation of aviation professionals, and supporting our veterans. 

From your health to your financial wellness, there are several benefits for you and your family when joining Signature Aviation.

     Our Benefits:

• Medical/prescription drug, dental, and vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 401(k)
• Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance
• Identity Theft and Legal Services
• Paid time off
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Training and Development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Perks

Minimum Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university or seven (7) to ten (10) years related experience and/or training

• Experience managing complex field-based operations; multi-site experience preferred

• Strong working knowledge of industry regulations and legal guidelines

• Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions, including finance, guest service, and employee management; experience with large account customers a plus

• Strong operational decision-making with the ability to implement processes that provide growth and efficiency while supporting shifting business demands. Masterful organizational, communication, and leadership skills, backed by previous professional success with the ability to lead and influence large teams 

• Strong negotiation skills for both internal and external purposes

• Experience in real estate including, but not limited to, leases, contracts, and negotiations preferred

• Experience in developing and managing budgets

• Strong working knowledge of performance metrics with the ability to analyze and interpret data through Power BI and other company reporting methods 

Additional knowledge and skills:

• At least Five (5) years related aviation management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

• Strong ability to work in a cross-functional organization

• Strong computer and presentation skills 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business financial statements, key performance indicators, business and real estate contracts, and airport and governmental regulations.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Monitors and controls expenses, labor hours, and fuel inventory. 

• Ability to travel regularly, recommended 60-75%, and must live in a hub city and travel to locations via direct flight.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Operates with a holistic understanding of Signature's strategic pillars/values, base operations, and cross-functionality.

• Partners with location management, Regional VP, and Field Support Center to develop short-term and long-term go forward strategies to ward off business threats and capitalize on growth opportunities.

• Embodies Signature values by role modeling behaviors and business ethics in all dealings.

• Promotes and holds teams accountable for all expectations for each location and mentors MGM/GMs (Market General Managers/General Managers) on how to take action to improve KPI performance. 

• Responds quickly to operational challenges and opportunities by making informed decisions grounded in business knowledge and company standards.

• Keeps current on market trends/data and competitor information and partners with MGM/GM and Field Support Center functions to execute the growth plan to increase market share and drive EBIDTA performance across their locations.

• Invests time with MGM/GMs on techniques and strategies to improve airport and community relations by meeting with local authorities, airport board members, airport management, governmental officials, and representatives of airlines and key customers, including regular check-ins during base visits at sites in their area to build strong working relationships and awareness of the needs of the community.

• Promotes Signature programs and products across all locations designed to generate additional revenue and customer loyalty.

• Delivers a consistent guest experience, assessing FBOs on guest service and performance in meeting brand expectations to build a hospitality guest-centric, performance-based culture.

• Empowers MGM/GMs to create a culture that promotes guest loyalty by creating a culture focused on increasing team member engagement levels. 

• Responsible for talent review, succession planning, and local talent development programs, which includes identifying strong performers at all levels of the FBO operation, taking an active role in their development supported by HR resources, and actively addressing those who underperform in their area.

• Develops and coaches MGM/GMs as leaders, holding them accountable for executing Company strategy and ensuring team members have the resources, training, and tools they need to operate efficiently/safely.

• Cultivates strong relationships with Signature Field Support Center leaders to improve financial and operational performance, standards adherence, and organizational innovation.

• Builds a safety-first culture among their bases by communicating expectations, monitoring safety metrics to identify gaps, working with the MGM/GM to build and execute development plans/training, and reinforcing adherence to all SOPs. 

• Conducts regular base visits to their locations, including using various checklists, audit tools and follow up processes to ensure their sites comply with all applicable safety, service, and brand standards.

• Ensures local procedures have been established for use in aircraft accidents, fires, or other emergencies in coordination with regional health/safety/security and environmental teams. 

• Links operational performance and metrics to financial outcomes and communicates and shares key drivers, results, and action plans across their team to improve consistency and elevate performance.

• Embraces new procedures or initiatives, communicating how they benefit the team, stakeholders, and guests.

• Provides oversight and coaching to MGM/GMs to maintain proper staffing levels based on daily/weekly/monthly volumes, including coordination with Field Ops and HR teams when local labor resources or performance are deficient.

• Performs location MGM/GM duties on an interim basis should a base in their area be without an assigned MGM/GM or when the assigned base leader is unavailable due to vacation or other leave.

• Operates with flexibility to respond to questions or issues that emerge and supports MGM/GMs in challenging situations.

• Carries out all management responsibilities following the organization's policies and applicable laws and regulations.

• Other duties as requested or assigned.