Director, Base Chief Pilot

Alaska Air Group; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 187,000 - 258,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight privileges across Alaska/Hawaii

Well-being programs

401k match

Annual bonus plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Horizon Air is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Base Chief Pilot. This role balances strategic priorities with tactical execution for Flight Operations at Horizon Air bases, while safely complying with FARs and company policies.

The Base Chief Pilot will lead pilots, shape long-term base strategy, manage performance, and foster a high‑performing culture. Travel and scheduling requirements may apply, with strong emphasis on safety and interdepartmental collaboration.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional pilot experience with at least three years under FAA Part 121 or 135.
• Four years of leadership experience (Pilot in Command, Captain, Check Pilot, Instructor or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of two additional years of experience.
• Ability to become a line qualified pilot at Horizon.
• Must have a valid passport for unrestricted travel to and from the U.S.
• Familiarity with FAA regulations and Pilot CBA; strong technical background.
• Ability to perform under pressure with sound judgment and time management.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; ability to influence change.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of pilots by setting standards and coaching as needed.
• Shape long‑term strategy and planning for base operations.
• Develop talent through performance management and feedback.
• Foster positive team culture and professional behaviors.
• Influence across the organization to maintain trust with Horizon management.
• Collaborate with leaders to ensure safety standards and operational efficiency.
• Represent the company to FAA, Port authorities, and USPS.
• Review policies and procedures related to flight safety and compliance.
• Manage delay and operation metrics for the assigned domicile.
• Attend operational meetings as required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Horizon Air

The Team

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our managerial teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.

Role Summary

This role is responsible for balancing strategic priorities while ensuring tactical execution for Flight Operations Pilot Bases at Horizon Air (QX). As a people leader, the Base Chief Pilot leads and establishes priorities for the team by implementing the Flight Operations strategic goals and objectives in relationship to the day-to-day operation at the base, safely and in compliance and accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and company policies.

Key Duties

• Lead and establish priorities for a team of pilots by setting professional standards and coaching when appropriate.

• Shape the long-term strategy and planning for operations at assigned base.

• Develop people through effective performance management and ongoing feedback, focusing on fostering strategic and systems thinking across team and function, development of talent in function/discipline, and succession planning.

• Shape culture of the team and beyond through action, presence, and reinforcement of positive and professional behaviors.

• Influence across the team to build and maintain trust between the pilot group and Horizon management by using well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, interacting in a fair and diplomatic manner, and demonstrating consistency and reliability in interactions.

• Influence and partner with leaders both in and outside the company, including Horizon and Alaska Airlines’ station and inflight leadership, to ensure the highest level of safety standards are administered.

• Represent the company and be the point of contact for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Port, and the United States Postal Service.

• Review, provide recommendations, and assist with the implementation of policies and procedures related to flight safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.

• Manage all delay and operation metrics for assigned domicile.

• Attend operational meetings as required.

Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills

Required

• 5 years professional pilot experience (with at least 3 years operating under FAA Part 121 or 135, equivalent military/other experience.)

• 4 years of leadership experience (Pilot in Command, Captain, Check Pilot, Instructor or other.

• Bachelor’s degree, or an additional two years of experience in lieu of this degree.

• Ability to become a line qualified pilot at Horizon.

• Must have and be able to maintain a valid passport allowing unrestricted travel, without a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), to and from the U.S.

• Familiarity with FAA regulations and Pilot Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with a strong technical background and expert knowledge of pilot procedures.

• Operate well under pressure or in changing conditions, demonstrating good professional judgment, time-management and problem-solving ability.

• Demonstrated ability to influence change and initiate actions that have strategic impact and drive a high-performance culture.

• Outstanding communication (e.g., verbal, written, and listening) and presentation skills, with a demonstrated commitment to clear and transparent communication.

• Able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Minimum age of 21.

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred

• Prior experience as a Line Captain.

Job-Specific Leadership Expectations

Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.

Salary Range

$186,754-$258,031 / year

Total Target Compensation Range (incl. bonus & equity)

$242,780 - $335,441

Salary Details

The pay range and total target compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range.

Total Rewards

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status

• Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually

• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits

• Generous 401k match program

• Annual bonus plans

• Generous holiday and paid time off

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Airport SIDA Badge Requirements

Important notification for employees working at an airport or maintenance hangar: Employees will be required to obtain a SIDA badge provided by the airport authority and maintain good standing in order to keep their SIDA badge. Review the SIDA Badge Requirements document for a comprehensive overview. If an employee does not qualify for a SIDA badge or has their SIDA badge pulled from them, the employee will be terminated.

Regulatory Information

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

It is the policy of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.

We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.

We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”). All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.

To implement this policy, we will:

(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories;

(2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and

(3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.

Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA.

Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines or a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn.

Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on

8/31/2026

FLSA Status Exempt
Employment Type Full-Time
Regular/Temporary Regular
Location Portland, OR - Airport
L: #LI-B
Software Powered by ICIMS
Job Locations USA-OR-Portland | USA-AK-Anchorage | USA-NV-Las Vegas | USA-WA-SeaTac
Requisition ID 2026-20292
Category Pilots