Air and Ocean Export Manager

Coda Search│Staffing; Maryland; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Coda Search│Staffing is seeking a Director, Government Operations to lead daily operational activities supporting international and domestic air freight and air charter programs within the Government Division.

This role bridges execution and strategy, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and mission-critical service while mentoring the team, driving continuous improvement, and aligning operations with company objectives and growth prospects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day government logistics operations, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and mission success
• Collaborate with executive management to align operational performance with business objectives
• Manage budgets, monitor costs, and ensure profitability
• Oversee all charter and scheduled air operations with adherence to ITAR, EAR, TSA, and other federal regulations
• Ensure timely communication with clients and partners regarding shipment status and issue resolution
• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend strategies to streamline processes
• Develop and enforce standardized procedures, KPIs, and performance tracking
• Conduct quality audits to ensure compliance with standards and obligations
• Lead, coach, and develop Operations Coordinators and Managers
• Set clear performance expectations and mentor teams
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new staff
• Promote collaboration and operational excellence aligned with company values
• Serve as escalation point for operational issues and client concerns
• Identify risks and contingencies to ensure continuity of service
• Maintain awareness of high-visibility missions and safeguard outcomes
• Ensure compliance with government contract terms and security protocols

Job description

The Director, Government Operations leads and manages all daily operational activities supporting international and domestic air freight and air charter programs within the Government Division. This role ensures compliance, efficiency, and exceptional service delivery on complex logistics missions. The Director operates at both a tactical and strategic level bridging execution and strategy, by driving operational excellence, optimizing processes, and mentoring the team to deliver mission-critical results.

Core Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Oversee day-to-day government logistics operations, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and mission success
• Collaborate with executive management to align daily operational performance with overall business objectives and growth targets.
• Manage budgets, monitor costs, and ensure alignment with market conditions and profitability goals.
• Oversee all charter and scheduled air operations, ensuring adherence to ITAR, EAR, TSA, and other applicable federal regulations.
• Ensure timely, accurate communication with clients and partners regarding shipment status, routing, and issue resolution.

Process Improvement & Quality Assurance

• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend strategies to streamline processes, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
• Develop and enforce standardized procedures, KPIs, and performance tracking to maintain consistent service quality.
• Conduct regular quality audits to ensure compliance with internal standards, client requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Partner with leadership to drive continuous improvement initiatives across all operational channels.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for key clients, program managers, and agencies.
• Strengthen client relationships through proactive communication, problem-solving, and mission oversight.
• Oversee vendor performance, negotiate rates and service terms, and ensure vendors meet or exceed service level agreements.
• Collaborate with the VP, Operations and Business Development team to identify new government programs, contract vehicles, and client opportunities.
• Lead, coach, and develop Operations Coordinators and Managers, fostering accountability, ownership, and professional growth.
• Set clear performance expectations, monitor results, and provide mentorship to elevate team performance.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new operations staff.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, respect, and operational excellence aligned with company values.
• Serve as the second level of escalation after managers for any operational issues or client concerns, resolving conflicts quickly and effectively.
• Proactively identify risks, anticipate potential disruptions, and execute contingency plans to ensure continuity of service.
• Maintain situational awareness of high-visibility or sensitive missions and intervene as necessary to safeguard outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with all government contract terms, security protocols, and industry regulations.

Shipment & Project Oversight

• Personally manage sensitive, high-priority, or inaugural client shipments to ensure flawless execution and customer satisfaction.
• Provide on-site cargo supervision during major project or charter moves, ensuring coordination between internal teams, vendors, and aircraft crews.
• Oversee all logistics documentation and reporting requirements for government shipments, including manifests, tracking, and compliance paperwork.
• Prepare operational reports, dashboards, and performance summaries as required by the VP, Operations.
• Attend internal and client meetings to provide updates on mission performance, risks, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Compliance, Business Development, and Executive teams to ensure full alignment across all divisions.