Director, Global Flight Operations

SCALIS

Boulder (CO)

On-site

USD 200,000 - 225,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) matching

Flexible PTO

Paid parental leave

Company-paid holidays

Equity opportunities

Job summary

Nova Sky Stories is seeking a Director of Global Flight Operations to lead and scale drone light show operations worldwide. You will ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality execution across diverse regulatory environments, translating show concepts into precise flight plans with cross-functional teams.

This role requires deep aviation expertise, strong leadership of distributed teams, and a strategic mindset to expand markets while maintaining rigorous safety standards and operational

Qualifications

Extensive experience in aviation or UAS operations.
Proven ability to scale multi-region operations.
Experience developing SOPs and flight manuals.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a global team of pilots and regional leads.
Partner with engineering, product, production, and commercial teams.
Collaborate with external partners, vendors, and regulators to support operations.
Define a global flight operations strategy aligned with growth and safety.
Oversee end-to-end planning and execution of drone light show operations across regions.
Maintain operational readiness and SOPs for field execution.
Drive post-show analyses and continuous improvement.
Develop scalable workflows and performance metrics.

Skills

Aviation operations leadership

Regulatory compliance expertise

Cross-functional leadership

Global program scaling

SOPs and flight manuals

UAS flight operations

Job description

At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting-edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events. Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

About the job

About this role:

As the Director, Global Flight Operations at Nova Sky Stories, you will lead and scale flight operations for drone light shows performed around the world. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and high-quality execution across diverse regulatory environments, requiring deep expertise in multi-jurisdiction permitting and aviation oversight.

You will work cross-functionally with production, engineering, and creative teams to translate complex show concepts into precise, executable flight operations—balancing strict aviation requirements with the creative demands of large-scale aerial performances.

As a Director, Global Flight Operations, you’ll be responsible for:

Lead and develop a global team of pilots and regional leads
Partner cross-functionally with engineering, product, production, and commercial teams
Collaborate with external partners, vendors, and regulatory bodies to support operations

Strategy & Operational Leadership

Define and execute a global flight operations strategy to support safe, compliant, and scalable drone light show operations
Develop and manage budgets, forecasting resources to support growth and efficiency
Align flight operations capabilities with business goals, including new market expansion and large-scale productions

Global Operations & Execution

Oversee end-to-end planning and execution of drone light show operations across all regions
Ensure consistency, performance, and operational excellence across all deployments
Maintain operational readiness, including equipment, systems, and field execution standards
Lead post-show reviews and continuous improvement of operational performance
Build and standardize scalable workflows, processes, and operational frameworks across regions
Track and improve key performance metrics to drive efficiency and reliability
Develop and maintain SOPs, flight manuals, and operational documentation

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

Ensure global compliance with aviation authorities (FAA, EASA, and others)
Lead permitting strategies and secure approvals across multiple jurisdictions
Establish and maintain operational standards, certifications, and insurance requirements
Represent the company in regulatory discussions and support evolving policy development

Safety & Risk Management

Own and evolve the Safety Management System (SMS)
Establish and enforce safety standards, risk assessments, and emergency procedures
Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
Partner with engineering and product teams to test and implement new technologies and tools
Identify opportunities to enhance automation, workflows, and operational efficiency
Support innovation in flight systems, deployment, and show execution

You’ll need to have:

Extensive experience in aviation or UAS operations, including leadership in complex environments
Strong knowledge of aviation regulations
Proven ability to scale operations across multiple regions or markets
Experience developing SOPs, flight manuals, and operational frameworks
Hands-on experience with UAS flight operations
Strong leadership and team-building skills across distributed teams
Ability to balance safety, compliance, and operational efficiency
Strategic, execution-focused mindset with strong organizational skills
Experience managing budgets, operational strategy, and multi-region programs
Demonstrated ability to navigate regulatory environments and secure approvals
Experience integrating new technologies and driving continuous improvement

It’s a plus if you have:

Experience in live events, entertainment, or high-tempo field operations
Passion for aviation, technology, and live experiences
Comfortable in fast-paced, evolving environments with frequent travel

What will make you successful:

Comfortable operating in a fast-growing, evolving environment
Willingness to travel frequently and be present at live show operations
Proactive, solutions-oriented, and adaptable
Passion for aviation, technology, and live experiences

Salary Range: $200,000 - $225,000 USD

At Nova Sky Stories, we're building something that has never existed before—and we want our team members to share in that journey. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer: