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The Executive Director of Flight Training Operations is a key executive leadership role in advancing the School of Aeronautics’ mission to equip, mentor, and send Champions for Christ into the aerospace community. This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, resource management, and regulatory compliance for all Flight training programs. The Executive Director also oversees a $25M+ operational budget and lifecycle planning of training resources, including 45+ aircraft ($19M+). The role plans, organizes, and manages the execution of 14 CFR Part 61, Part 91, and Part 141 operations to ensure a safe, efficient, and high‑quality student training experience.

Provides strategic leadership and direction for all flight training operations, establishing and executing long‑term plans aligned with the School of Aeronautics mission and institutional priorities.

Provides executive oversight of all operational functions through subordinate directors, ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective execution of scheduling, dispatch, maintenance control, instructor standardization, and special programs in full compliance with FAA regulations (Parts61,91,141) and university policies.

Directs and oversees resource planning, budget development, and lifecycle management of training assets, ensuring alignment with enrollment demand, operational requirements, and long‑term program growth.

Ensures the establishment and sustainment of rigorous training standards across all programs, directing leaders responsible for instructor qualification, currency, and evaluation.

Oversees and aligns the development and continuous improvement of training curriculum and publications, including FAA‑approved TCO, OCM, and syllabi, in coordination with Associate Deans and Executive Directors to ensure alignment with degree program requirements and to enhance student success and certification outcomes.

Fosters good working relationships with regulatory agencies (FAA, TSA, VA, etc.), industry partners, and key collaborators (e.g., Freedom Aviation, Lynchburg Regional Airport).

Provides leadership support for recruitment, outreach, and high‑visibility engagements, including special events and VIP visits, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities while promoting a high‑quality student experience and advancing the School’s mission.

Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner. Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission – Training Champions for Christ.

Directly supervises three (3) Directors and one (1) Coordinator. Indirectly supervises more than 170 employees.

Education and Experience – Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Aeronautics, Aviation Management, Aerospace, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in aviation training, flight operations, or a related aerospace field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the leadership of aviation training or flight operations management.
• Demonstrated experience leading FAA‑regulated programs.

FAA Certification: Commercial and CFI (required). Preferred: ATP, CFII, MEI. Repeat experience in leadership of aviation training or flight operations for 10 years is also preferred.

Proven experience collaborating across academic, operational, and external stakeholder environments.

Communication and Comprehension: Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well‑articulated information. Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond professionally.

Public Communication Skills: Professional representation of Liberty University.

Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills.

Computer Skills: Proficiency with standard office software.

Problem Solving: Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment to solve routine and complex problems.

May be required to travel locally and nationally. May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard. Regularly required to hear and speak. Regularly required to stand, walk, climb stairs, handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop. Regularly lift ≤10 pounds.

Work environment is climate‑controlled, well‑lit, moderate noise. Includes frequent operations at an active flight and a maintenance training facility.

Personal vehicle or LU vehicle may be required for travel. Valid driver’s license, acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance required.

Full‑time. Onsite. Located in Lynchburg, VA.

Pay range $100,000.00 - $135,000.00. Eligible for comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to ensure that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to the same protected categories. The University is a Christian religious‑affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.