Director Flight Operations Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Forge the future of commercial aviation as the Senior Director of Flight Training at United Aviate Academy! Lead our flight operations, champion FAA compliance, and mentor an elite team of instructors. Take the captain's seat in delivering safe, effective, on-time, and world-class flight education for the next generation of pilots.

The Senior Director of Flight Training is responsible for overseeing all aspects of flight training operations at United Aviate Academy. This role ensures compliance with FAA regulations, maintains high training standards, and leads the instructional team to deliver safe, effective, on-time, and quality flight education.

Duties/Responsibilities

Training Operations & Compliance

Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of flight training curricula in accordance with FAA Part 141 or Part 61 standards

Ensure all training operations comply with FAA regulations and safety standards

Oversee the development and updating of training manuals, standard operating procedures, and safety protocols Oversee student records, training documentation, and certification processes

Leadership & Team Management

Develop and implement instructor training and standardization programs

Conduct performance reviews and provide professional development opportunities for instructional staff Strategic Planning & Business Development

Develop long-term strategic plans for training program growth and expansion

Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for training operations

Collaborate with leadership on budget planning and financial forecasting

Identify opportunities for new training programs and revenue streams

Build partnerships with aviation industry stakeholders and educational institutions

Operations Management UAL - GENERAL: Standard business; share responsibly

Manage training schedules, aircraft utilization, and resource allocation

Oversee maintenance coordination to ensure aircraft availability for training

Optimize training efficiency and student throughput

Implement technology solutions to enhance training delivery and record-keeping

Lead safety meetings and promote a culture of safety throughout the organization Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

Oversee quality assurance programs to monitor training effectiveness

Analyze training data and metrics to identify areas for improvement

best practices and industry standards in flight training

Conduct regular audits of training programs and procedures

Develop corrective action plans for identified deficiencies

Duties/Responsibilities Required:

FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings (required)

FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with Instrument (CFII) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) ratings (required)

1000 plus hours of Instructional Flight Experience

Minimum 3-5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in flight training operations

Strong knowledge of FAA regulations (14 CFR Parts 61, 91, and 141)

Proven track record in strategic planning and business development

Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

Strong financial acumen and budget management experience

Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications

ATP Certificate

Master's degree in Aviation, Education, or Business Administration

Experience managing training operations

Background in curriculum development and instructional design

Proficiency with flight training management software and data analytics tools

EEO Statement: Westwind School of Aeronautics Phoenix, LLC, dba United Aviate Academy (UAA), is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind - All employment decisions at UAA are based on business needs. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting job applicants and employees without regard to race, religion or belief, color, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, genetic information, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identify and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, or any other status protected by laws or regulations. Decisions on employment and promotions are based solely upon an individual's qualifications, with reference to the responsibilities and skills required of the position for which the individual is being considered.

United Aviate Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and welcome all qualified individuals of different backgrounds.