Director, Flight Operations

Rise Air; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rise Air in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, seeks a Director of Flight Operations to oversee the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our flight services. You will shape operational strategy, develop future leaders, and drive continuous improvement across the organization.

You will lead regulatory compliance, emergency readiness, and safety programs while managing budgets and cross-functional teams, reporting to the VP of Flight Operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in aviation operations with progressive leadership.
• Eligibility to serve as Operations Manager under Transport Canada.
• Strong knowledge of commercial aviation operations and Safety Management Systems.
• Experience leading large, cross-functional teams and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Lead emergency response and risk management initiatives.
• Develop and support high-performing operational teams.
• Manage budgets, workforce planning, and key initiatives.
• Represent the airline with Transport Canada and stakeholders.

Skills

Aviation leadership

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

People development

Operations Manager eligibility

Job description

Director, Flight Operations

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Employment Type: Salaried Full-time

Lead the Future of aviation operations at Saskatchewan's largest full-service airline, proudly 100% Indigenous owned.

Responsible for the diverse flight operations of a growing airline that serves communities, businesses, and critical Medevac services across Saskatchewan and beyond.

As Director, Flight Operations, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant, efficient, and reliable operation of our flight services while building a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence. Reporting to the Vice President, Flight Operations, you will play a key role in shaping operational strategy, developing future leaders, and driving continuous improvement across the organization.

What You'll Do

• Ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and the highest standards of aviation safety.
• Leading operational readiness, emergency response, risk management, and safety management initiatives.
• Building, developing, and supporting high-performing operational teams and future leaders.
• Managing operational budgets, workforce planning, and key business initiatives.
• Representing the organization with Transport Canada, customers, Indigenous communities, healthcare partners, and industry stakeholders.

What You'll Bring

• 10+ years of progressive aviation operations experience, including senior leadership responsibilities.
• Eligibility to serve as Operations Manager under Transport Canada requirements.
• Strong knowledge of commercial aviation operations, regulatory compliance, operational control, and Safety Management Systems.
• Proven leadership experience managing complex operational teams, budgets, and change initiatives.
• A collaborative leadership style, sound judgment, and a passion for safety and operational excellence.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on aviation services that contributes to Saskatchewan’s economic growth by connecting the workforce to critical employment opportunities within Canada’s resource and mining sector, provide reliable transportation to Saskatchewan’s northern and remote communities, and support essential healthcare transportation. You'll work alongside a talented leadership team, help shape the future of our operation, and play a critical role in our continued success.

Eligible employees enjoy a robust compensation and benefits package including competitive base salary, short-term incentives, profit sharing, life insurance, extended health, dental, vision coverage, a wellness allowance and RRSP contribution matching. Our employees also enjoy a suite of travel benefits, including access to discounted standby leisure air travel via airlines including WestJet and Air Canada.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility

Rise Air is committed to employment equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility throughout the hiring process. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Preference is given to qualified Indigenous applicants. As an Indigenous-owned business, we welcome Indigenous people with all levels of education and experience and are dedicated to building a respectful environment for learning, collaboration, and growth.

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that we are situated on the territories of Indigenous peoples who have occupied these lands for thousands of years, including the First Nations of Treaties 6, 8, and 10, as well as other non-Treaty First Nations and Métis. We recognize that we benefit from the lands. We are dedicated to ensuring that the spirit of reconciliation is honoured and respected.