Director Flight Operations

All Aviation Jobs; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 97,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Tulsa Community College seeks a Director of Flight Operations to lead the Professional Pilot program, ensuring curriculum development, compliance with FAA regulations, and safe flight operations.

The role oversees budgets, fleet, staffing, safety, and partnerships with industry; it supports student recruitment and success while aligning with accreditation standards. Location: Tulsa, OK. Full-time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Business, Education, or related field. Degree requirement may be substituted with relevant and equivalent work experience.
• Three years experience in aviation program administration, flight operations management or related leadership role.
• FAA Commercial Pilot Certification with Instrument Rating (or higher) with a minimum of 2000 PIC hours.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to collegiate aviation programs and flight training operations.
• One year supervisory experience.
• Must meet the requirements of a Chief Instructor as stated in 14 CFR 141.35 within 3 months of hire date.
• Ability to enter/exit aircraft and simulators and perform basic physical tasks associated with flight operations oversight.
• Ability to work in office, classroom, hangar and airfield environments.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support program operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight to ensure effective, mission-aligned operation of the Professional Pilot program.
• Manage the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of aviation curriculum in alignment with FAA regulations, institutional standards, and industry best practices.
• Oversee safe, efficient, and fully compliant flight operations through effective safety management and adherence to FAA regulations.
• Lead student success initiatives that promote strong recruitment, retention, progression, and program completion outcomes.
• Manage departmental personnel through effective hiring, supervision, mentorship, evaluation and professional development.
• Manage departmental budgets, purchasing, resource allocation and long-term equipment planning, including fleet and simulator assets.
• Ensure full compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and institutional requirements through effective monitoring, documentation and audit preparation.
• Cultivate partnerships and external relationships that support program growth, workforce development and community engagement.
• Provide limited instructional support primarily to cover short-term staffing gaps, maintain instructional proficiency and assist with capacity constraints with stage checks, end of course evaluations or standardization flights, while ensuring that flight activities remain secondary to the administrative and operational responsibilities of the role.
• Lead and coordinate the Aviation department’s response to operational incidents, emergencies or safety events, ensuring timely communication, adherence to regulatory and institutional protocols, thorough investigation and implementation of corrective actions to maintain safety, compliance and program integrity.
• Represent the Professional Pilot program on college committees and at external events.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to secure and manage funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships and external support, to enhance program resources, facilities, fleet capacity and student success initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall departmental effectiveness and institutional goals.

Skills

FAA Commercial Pilot Certification

PIC hours 2000

Supervisory experience

Regulatory knowledge

Flight program leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Business, Education, or related field

Master’s degree in Aviation, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Director of Flight Operations provides leadership and operational management for the College’s Professional Pilot program and all related flight operations. The position ensures the effective development, delivery, and continuous improvement of aviation curriculum, maintains compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards, supervises departmental personnel, oversees resource management, safety management, and strategic planning. The Director supports student recruitment, retention, progression, and completion initiatives while cultivating strong partnerships with industry, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to advance the mission and strategic goals of the College.

This is a Safety Sensitive position pursuant to Oklahoma Statute OKLA. STAT. tit. 63,

• 427.8 (2020).

Essential Duties

• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight to ensure effective, mission-aligned operation of the Professional Pilot program.
• Manage the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of aviation curriculum in alignment with FAA regulations, institutional standards, and industry best practices.
• Oversee safe, efficient, and fully compliant flight operations through effective safety management and adherence to FAA regulations.
• Lead student success initiatives that promote strong recruitment, retention, progression, and program completion outcomes.
• Manage departmental personnel through effective hiring, supervision, mentorship, evaluation and professional development.
• Manage departmental budgets, purchasing, resource allocation and long-term equipment planning, including fleet and simulator assets.
• Ensure full compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and institutional requirements through effective monitoring, documentation and audit preparation.
• Cultivate partnerships and external relationships that support program growth, workforce development and community engagement.
• Provide limited instructional support primarily to cover short-term staffing gaps, maintain instructional proficiency and assist with capacity constraints with stage checks, end of course evaluations or standardization flights, while ensuring that flight activities remain secondary to the administrative and operational responsibilities of the role.
• Lead and coordinate the Aviation department’s response to operational incidents, emergencies or safety events, ensuring timely communication, adherence to regulatory and institutional protocols, thorough investigation and implementation of corrective actions to maintain safety, compliance and program integrity.
• Represent the Professional Pilot program on college committees and at external events.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to secure and manage funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships and external support, to enhance program resources, facilities, fleet capacity and student success initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall departmental effectiveness and institutional goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Business, Education, or related field. Degree requirement may be substituted with relevant and equivalent work experience.
• Three years experience in aviation program administration, flight operations management or related leadership role.
• FAA Commercial Pilot Certification with Instrument Rating (or higher) with a minimum of 2000 PIC hours.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to collegiate aviation programs and flight training operations.
• One year supervisory experience.
• Must meet the requirements of a Chief Instructor as stated in 14 CFR 141.35 within 3 months of hire date.
• Ability to enter/exit aircraft and simulators and perform basic physical tasks associated with flight operations oversight.
• Ability to work in office, classroom, hangar and airfield environments.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support program operations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aviation, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration or a related field. Degree requirement may be substituted with relevant and equivalent work experience.
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) with a minimum of 1500 PIC hours.
• One year experience in a college or university aviation program, preferably Part 141.
• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and conducting safety risk assessments.
• Knowledge of curriculum development, accreditation processes and/or academic assessment.
• Experience with fleet management, aircraft maintenance coordination and/or flight scheduling systems.

Salary

$96,555.00 - $106,210.00 Annually

Location

Tulsa, OK

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

6001F-06-26

Department

School of Science & Aeronautics

Opening Date

06/25/2026

Work Schedule

M-F 8-5; occasional Saturday

Campus

Riverside Community

About TCC

Tulsa Community College is committed to creating positive work environments that support the success of the full range of our employees. We believe that employees who feel valued and respected will create policies, programs, practices and services to effectively meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our students and employees. We are committed to hiring and retaining culturally competent faculty and staff at all levels of the organization who continue to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our community.