Director, Global Regulatory Affairs

At Nova Sky Stories , we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment , we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting-edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events.
Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

About this role:

At Nova Sky Stories, we create large-scale drone light shows that redefine entertainment and technology on a global stage. As our operations continue to expand across continents, we are seeking a Director of Global Regulatory Affairs to lead and coordinate the complex regulatory approvals required to safely operate drone shows around the world.

This role will be responsible for owning and coordinating the permitting strategy for hundreds of drone shows annually, ensuring compliance with aviation authorities, local regulators, and other government entities across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, excels at navigating complex regulatory frameworks, and builds strong working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders. They will also be comfortable interpreting technical system documentation and collaborating closely with our engineering team to address regulatory questions and support permit applications.

This role will act as the central coordination point for global show permitting, working closely with operations, pilots, engineering, legal, and regional teams to ensure permits are secured and regulatory requirements are met for every show.

As a Director of Global Regulatory Affairs, you’ll be responsible for: 

Global Show Permitting Management

• Own and coordinate the global permitting process for drone light shows across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
• Track and manage permitting timelines and approvals for hundreds of shows annually, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met ahead of scheduled performances.
• Serve as the central point of coordination for permitting activities across internal teams and regional operators.
• Identify risks or potential delays in permit approvals and proactively manage solutions to keep productions on schedule.

Regulatory & Aviation Compliance

• Work with aviation authorities, regulators, and government agencies to secure approvals required for drone operations.
• Coordinate with regional teams and external partners to ensure compliance with local aviation regulations, airspace permissions, and safety requirements.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory updates affecting drone operations globally.
• Compile and submit technical documentation required for aviation approvals in collaboration with engineering, legal, and flight operations teams.

Cross-Functional Program Management

• Manage permitting workflows involving operations teams, drone pilots, legal teams, and regional stakeholders.
• Maintain visibility across multiple concurrent permitting processes and production schedules.
• Coordinate resources across internal teams when regulatory challenges arise, ensuring quick and effective responses.
• Support crisis management when permitting issues arise, helping resolve challenges in real time.

Global Compliance Tracking

• Build and maintain a centralized database of global permitting requirements, regulatory approvals, and operational compliance documentation.
• Track country-specific requirements including aviation permits, municipal approvals, security clearances, and other regulatory considerations.
• Document permitting processes and develop repeatable systems that improve efficiency as Nova scales.

Stakeholder Communication

• Communicate clearly with internal teams regarding permitting timelines, risks, and regulatory considerations.
• Serve as a professional liaison with regulators, aviation authorities, and government agencies.
• Ensure communications with regulators are accurate, professional, and aligned with Nova’s operational standards.

You’ll need to have: 

• 5–10 years of experience in permitting, regulatory compliance, aviation operations, technical program management, or a related field.
• Strong project or program management experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Experience coordinating regulatory or permitting processes involving government agencies or aviation authorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with regulators and internal teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex regulatory or legal documentation.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Ability to remain calm and solution-oriented while navigating operational challenges or regulatory delays.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information.

It’s a plus if you have: 

• Experience working with drone aviation regulations or UAV permitting.
• Background in aviation, aerospace, or aviation compliance.
• Experience coordinating permits across multiple international jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with regulatory agencies such as aviation authorities, civil aviation agencies, or government security organizations.
• Experience supporting large-scale live events, productions, or complex technical operations.

Salary Range: $160,000 - $190,000 USD

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company matching
• Flexible PTO and paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Company-paid holidays
• Equity opportunities for eligible employees

Compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location.

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.