Flight Operations Manager Jobs in Des Moines, IA

Director of Operations — Part 135 Aviation

Location: Ankeny, Iowa

Industry: Business & Charter Aviation

Schedule: Primarily onsite | Occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call availability

Relocation Assistance: Provided

Lead the Operations Behind a High-Performance Charter Aviation Organization

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 organization's operational standards and culture.

As the FAA-required Director of Operations, you will have ultimate responsibility for operational control of flights conducted under the company's Part 135 certificate. You'll 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 company's 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.

What You'll Lead

Operational Leadership

• 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.

Regulatory & FAA Leadership

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact with the FAA's 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 organization's 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.

Cross-Functional Aviation Leadership

• 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 company's 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.

Team & Culture

• 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.

What We're Looking For

FAA-Required Qualifications

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 company's GOM.
• Meet applicable company and insurance requirements.

Professional Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Experience

• 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.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience with flight scheduling, maintenance tracking, crew management, and flight operations software.

Why This Opportunity?

This is more than a compliance role—it's an opportunity to shape the operational direction and culture of a Part 135 aviation organization. You'll 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 you're 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.

Working Environment

• Based primarily at the company's 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.

Important FAA Qualification Notice

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.