Associate Director, Flight Department

All Aviation Jobs; Prescott (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Tuition Coverage for employees

Retirement Contributions

Job summary

Embry-Riddle in Prescott, AZ seeks an Associate Director of the Flight Department to oversee the flight training program, assist the Director with daily operations, and uphold safety, compliance, and student success.

The role manages flight operations, aircraft maintenance, staffing, scheduling, accreditation, and industry partnerships while driving continuous improvement and responsible budgeting in a university setting.

Qualifications

• Degree in aviation or related field is required or preferred.
• Experience with flight operations and supervisory roles.
• Knowledge of FAA Part 141 operations and accreditation processes.
• Ability to manage budgets and coordinate aircraft, instructors, and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and administrative oversight of the Flight Department.
• Lead staffing, scheduling, training, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure FAA compliance, safety management, and regulatory adherence.
• Develop policies, participate in accreditation activities, and manage resources.

Skills

Leadership

Aviation operations

Safety management

Regulatory compliance

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's in Aviation or Aviation Management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Flight Schedule Pro

Talon

ETA

SMS systems

Job description

The Opportunity

The Associate Director (AD) of the Flight Department provides operational leadership and administrative oversight for the University's flight training program. The AD assists the Director in managing the daily operations of the department, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective flight training while supporting the University's mission of academic excellence, student success, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement.

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Associate Director (AD) of the Flight Department provides operational leadership and administrative oversight for the University's flight training program. The AD assists the Director in managing the daily operations of the department, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective flight training while supporting the University's mission of academic excellence, student success, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Department Administration

• Assist the Director in the daily management and administration of the Flight Department.


• Provide leadership and supervision for assigned operational and administrative personnel.


• Serve as acting Director in the Director's absence.


• Assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards.


• Participate in department, college, and university committees as assigned.


• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director.

Flight and Maintenance Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of flight training and aircraft maintenance activities.


• Ensure compliance with all applicable FAA regulations, university policies, accreditation standards, and safety management system (SMS) requirements.


• Coordinate aircraft utilization, instructor staffing, and scheduling to maximize operational efficiency.


• Monitor operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.


• Assist in emergency response planning and operational risk management.

Personnel Leadership

• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, mentoring, scheduling, and evaluating flight instructors, maintenance personnel and administrative staff.


• Foster a professional culture emphasizing safety, customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.


• Coordinate professional development opportunities for department personnel.


• Support performance management and corrective action processes when necessary.

Student Success

• Assist in implementing and supervising student advising processes related to flight training progression.


• Monitor student performance, retention, and completion metrics.


• Collaborate with academic advisors, faculty, and student services to support student success.


• Address student concerns and facilitate timely resolution of operational issues.

Academic Support

• Collaborate with academic leadership to align flight training with degree program requirements.


• Assist in scheduling courses, assigning instructors, and maintaining instructional records.


• Support curriculum implementation and continuous program assessment.


• Participate in accreditation activities and program reviews as required.

Budget and Resource Management

• Assist in preparing and administering departmental operating budgets.


• Monitor expenditures and recommend efficient use of university resources.


• Coordinate equipment, aircraft, simulator, and facility utilization.


• Support long-range planning for fleet, technology, and facility improvements.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

• Promote and maintain a strong culture of aviation safety.


• Ensure compliance with FAA Part 141 requirements and applicable federal, state, and university regulations.


• Support internal audits, inspections, and accreditation reviews.


• Maintain required operational documentation and records.

External Relations

• Develop and maintain relationships with industry partners, government agencies, and aviation organizations.


• Represent the department at university events, recruiting activities, conferences, and professional meetings.


• Support internship, employment, and partnership initiatives benefiting students and the department.

About Us

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace.

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.


• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.


• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period.


• Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Aviation Management, Aeronautical Science, or a closely related field.


• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Single-Engine Land and Multi-Engine Land ratings.


• FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate.


• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in collegiate or professional flight training.


• Minimum three years of supervisory or management experience.


• Demonstrated knowledge of FAA Part 141 flight training operations.


• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aviation, Education, Business Administration, or related discipline.


• FAA Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI).


• Experience managing university flight operations.


• Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS).


• Experience with accreditation and regulatory compliance.


• Budget management experience.


• Experience using flight scheduling and training management software (e.g., Flight Schedule Pro, Talon, ETA, or similar).

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy.

Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.