Director Flight Operations

The Director of Flight Operations provides leadership and operational management for the College’s Professional Pilot program and all related flight operations. The position ensures the effective development, delivery, and continuous improvement of aviation curriculum, maintains compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards, supervises departmental personnel, oversees resource management, safety management, and strategic planning. The Director supports student recruitment, retention, progression, and completion initiatives while cultivating strong partnerships with industry, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to advance the mission and strategic goals of the College. Safety Sensitive Position This is a safety sensitive position pursuant to Oklahoma Statute OKLA. STAT. tit. 63, § 427.8 (2020). Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight to ensure effective, mission‑aligned operation of the Professional Pilot program. Manage the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of aviation curriculum in alignment with FAA regulations, institutional standards, and industry best practices. Oversee safe, efficient, and fully compliant flight operations through effective safety management and adherence to FAA regulations. Lead student success initiatives that promote strong recruitment, retention, progression, and program completion outcomes. Manage departmental personnel through effective hiring, supervision, mentorship, evaluation, and professional development. Manage departmental budgets, purchasing, resource allocation, and long‑term equipment planning, including fleet and simulator assets. Ensure full compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and institutional requirements through effective monitoring, documentation, and audit preparation. Cultivate partnerships and external relationships that support program growth, workforce development, and community engagement. Provide limited instructional support primarily to cover short‑term staffing gaps, maintain instructional proficiency, and assist with capacity constraints with stage checks, end of course evaluations, or standardization flights, while ensuring that flight activities remain secondary to the administrative and operational responsibilities of the role. Lead and coordinate the Aviation department’s response to operational incidents, emergencies, or safety events, ensuring timely communication, adherence to regulatory and institutional protocols, thorough investigation, and implementation of corrective actions to maintain safety, compliance, and program integrity. Represent the Professional Pilot program on college committees and at external events. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to secure and manage funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships, and external support, to enhance program resources, facilities, fleet capacity, and student success initiatives. Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall departmental effectiveness and institutional goals. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Business, Education, or related field. Degree requirement may be substituted with relevant and equivalent work experience. Three years experience in aviation program administration, flight operations management, or related leadership role. FAA Commercial Pilot Certification with Instrument Rating (or higher) with a minimum of 2000 PIC hours. Knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to collegiate aviation programs and flight training operations. One year supervisory experience. Must meet the requirements of a Chief Instructor as stated in 14 CFR 141.35 within 3 months of hire date. Ability to enter/exit aircraft and simulators and perform basic physical tasks associated with flight operations oversight. Ability to work in office, classroom, hangar, and airfield environments. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support program operations. Master's degree in Aviation, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Degree requirement may be substituted with relevant and equivalent work experience. FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) with a minimum of 1500 PIC hours. One year experience in a college or university aviation program, preferably Part 141. Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and conducting safety risk assessments. Knowledge of curriculum development, accreditation processes, and/or academic assessment. Experience with fleet management, aircraft maintenance coordination, and/or flight scheduling systems. #J-18808-Ljbffr Tulsa Community College