Executive Director, Aviation Training & Accreditation

ACTE; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision and dental

401(k) with employer match

Professional development budget

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Legacy Aviation Learning Center at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, seeks an Executive Director to lead daily operations, ensure FAA Part 147 compliance, grow enrollment, and oversee accreditation efforts.

The role focuses on building a strong team, expanding partnerships with industry, maintaining financial sustainability, and driving data‑driven decision making to advance the school’s mission.

Qualifications

• Educational operations leadership: ran a school, training program, or post-secondary department, hiring and developing instructors, delivering curriculum, student services, academic integrity.
• Accreditation experience: understood documentation, compliance cycles, audit preparation; COE preferred.
• People leadership: coaches, develops, and challenges people to perform; builds learning cultures.
• Management discipline: builds systems, runs tight operations, professional conduct.
• Systems discipline: works through platforms, assesses health, drives adoption.
• Budget management: created and managed operating budgets, cash flow awareness.
• Track record growing programs: expanded enrollment or participation via outreach and measurable results.
• Industry credibility: aviation or regulated training experience, and plan to earn fluency in aviation maintenance culture.
• Learning orientation: embraces transparency and learning from mistakes.

Responsibilities

• Safety and FAA Part 147 Compliance: set safety culture, strengthen SMS, conduct FAA audit, ensure compliance with 14 CFR Part 147.
• Build a Strong Team: clarify roles, establish evaluation rhythms, develop instructors, foster accountability and learning.
• Enrollment, Retention, and Career Placement: audit recruitment channels, measure conversions, map student experience, track outcomes and employer relations.
• Financial Sustainability: publish dashboards, align enrollment forecasts with financial plan, pursue cost improvements and regulatory compliance.
• COE Accreditation Progress: self-assessment, accreditation calendar, draft policies, advance candidacy.
• Build Partnerships: collaborate with the Board, develop industry relationships, ensure transparency.
• Systems Stewardship: manage compliance platforms, record keeping, data reconciliation, and system migrations.

Skills

Educational operations leadership

Accreditation experience

People leadership

Management discipline

Systems discipline

Budget management

Track record growing programs

Industry credibility

Learning orientation

Job description

Legacy Aviation Learning Center at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, seeks an Executive Director to lead daily operations, ensure FAA Part 147 compliance, grow enrollment, and oversee accreditation efforts.

The role focuses on building a strong team, expanding partnerships with industry, maintaining financial sustainability, and driving data‑driven decision making to advance the school’s mission.