Sr. Director, Aviation

Nutrien; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Nutrien is seeking a Senior Director of Aviation Operations in Canada to lead aviation strategy, safety culture, and regulatory compliance across the company’s aviation functions. The role requires active flight currency, executive leadership, and management of a multi‑aircraft fleet to support international travel and business continuity.

You will direct budgets, vendor relationships, and risk management while reporting to senior executives, ensuring alignment with Nutrien’s safety standards

Qualifications

• Experience leading corporate aviation operations at scale.
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations and risk management.
• Proven ability to develop and mentor high‑performing teams.
• Experience with international travel and executive support.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, execution, and safety of all aviation missions.
• Lead the aviation team including pilots, maintenance, and admin staff.
• Develop policies to ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Represent aviation operations to senior leadership and external partners.

Skills

Aviation leadership

Flight operations

Safety culture

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's in aviation management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Safety Management System

Job description

Nutrien is a leading provider of crop inputs and services, and our business results make a positive impact on the world. Our purpose, Feeding the Future, is the reason we come to work each day. We’re guided by our culture of care and our core values: We put safety first. We act with integrity. We are stronger together. We deliver with excellence.

Through the collective expertise of our nearly 26,000 employees, we operate a world-class network of production, distribution, and ag retail facilities. We efficiently serve growers' needs and strive to provide a more profitable, sustainable, and secure future for all stakeholders. Help us raise the expectation of what an agriculture company can be and grow your career with Nutrien.

The Senior Director, Aviation Operations oversees and manages all aspects of the company's aviation operations, ensuring the safety, efficiency, reliability, and professionalism of aviation services. This is an active flying leadership role and the successful candidate will be expected to maintain flight currency and serve as an operating pilot as business needs require. This role provides strategic leadership for the aviation function, including safety culture, operational risk management, regulatory compliance, fleet and maintenance oversight, executive service, and leadership of a high-performing aviation team.

What You'll Do

• Leadership and Management
  • Lead, motivate, develop, and hold accountable the aviation operations team, including chief pilots, pilots, maintenance staff, and administrative personnel
  • Provide strategic leadership to the aviation team through clear expectations, coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, succession planning, and a positive, collaborative work environment
  • Champion a proactive, safety-first culture where risk identification, open reporting, disciplined decision-making, and continuous learning are embedded in day-to-day operations
  • Promote a just culture that encourages timely reporting of hazards, incidents, and near misses while maintaining clear accountability for professional standards and regulatory compliance
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency
• Operational Oversight
  • Oversee the planning, execution, and management of all aviation missions
  • Maintain flight currency and actively participate as an operating pilot in company aircraft, as required by business and operational needs
  • Lead operational risk management practices covering flight planning, weather, crew duty and fatigue, aircraft maintenance status, passenger security, international operations, and mission-critical executive travel
  • Exercise sound, independent judgment in advising senior executives on aviation risk, operational feasibility, aircraft availability, and safety-related decisions
• Safety and Compliance
  • Ensure adherence to aviation regulations, safety standards, and best practices
  • Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the Aviation Safety Management System, including hazard reporting, risk assessment, incident investigation, corrective action tracking, and safety performance monitoring
  • Develop and maintain safety programs and protocols
  • Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments
  • Develop and implement risk management strategies, emergency response plans, and business continuity practices for irregular operations, incidents, security events, and other aviation-related disruptions
• Strategic Planning
  • Develop long-term plans for the aviation department, including fleet management, budgeting, and personnel development
  • Collaborate with other departments to align aviation operations with the overall goals of the company
  • Develop and execute the department's goals and objectives in alignment with the overall organizational strategy, by providing vision and direction to the aviation team
• Financial Management
  • Strong focus on data driven decision making aligned with our business executives
  • Manage the aviation department's budget and expenditures, overseeing operating expenses, capital expenditures, and implementing cost control measures
  • Oversee procurement and maintenance of aircraft and aviation equipment
  • Oversee aircraft airworthiness, maintenance planning, reliability, vendor performance, and lifecycle decisions to ensure safe, efficient, and dependable fleet operations
  • Manage relationships and performance expectations with external aviation partners, including maintenance providers, training providers, FBOs, charter operators, and other third-party service providers
• Stakeholder Communication
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding aviation operations
  • Prepare and present reports to senior management and other stakeholders
  • Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and service quality

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, business administration, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in corporate aviation operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Relevant aviation certifications (e.g., TC/FAA ATP certificate)
• Licensed to fly Gulfstream 550/450 type rating with experience
• Willingness and ability to actively fly company aircraft as part of the role, while balancing leadership, safety, and operational oversight responsibilities
• Exceptional leadership, conflict resolution, coaching, performance management, and organizational skills
• Proven ability to build, motivate, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing aviation team
• Strong aviation technical knowledge and operational judgment to support disciplined, safety-first decision-making
• Demonstrated experience leading a mature aviation safety culture, including Safety Management System oversight, incident review, risk management, and corrective action follow-up
• Strong executive presence, discretion, and judgment, with the ability to advise senior leaders on aviation risk and operational trade-offs
• Experience managing complex corporate aviation operations, including international travel, executive support, aircraft maintenance oversight, vendor management, and emergency response planning
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience managing a multi-aircraft fleet in a corporate aviation environment
• Demonstrated ability to make disciplined, safety-first decisions under pressure, including delaying, cancelling, or modifying missions when conditions warrant
• Knowledge of fatigue risk management, crew resource management, aviation security, and operational risk assessment practices
• Minimum 2000 PIC hours on a large turbine aircraft
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations and standards
• First class medical and ability to cross international borders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure

What You'll Get

• Purpose‑Driven Work –Make an impact as part of a global team feedingthe future and support farmerslocally and around the world
• Excellent Benefits – Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, plus a retirement program with generous employer matching foryour future
• Grow Your Career – Tuition assistancefor future education and ongoing learning and training opportunities for career advancement pathwaysacross the organization
• Support When it Matters– Employee Assistance Programs, inclusive leaves, and paid time for holidays, volunteering, vacation, and wellness
• Thrive in a Strong Culture – Guided by our core valueswe put safety first, act with integrity, are stronger together, and deliver with excellence in a collaborative, high‑performing environment

The estimated salary that Indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn lists does not represent Nutrien's compensation structure.

Nutrien is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin