General Manager

Aviation Search Group; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aviation Search Group has partnered with a Part 141 Flight School to identify a General Manager to lead their Fort Lauderdale campus. This role oversees operational, financial, and regulatory performance, including flight training, maintenance, student services, and administration.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on aviation leadership, strong business acumen, a commitment to safety, and experience managing FAA-regulated operations to ensure high-quality training and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in aviation operations.
• Strong knowledge of FAA Part 141 requirements.
• Experience managing budgets and P&L performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the Fort Lauderdale operation, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
• Maintain compliance with FAA regulations, including Part 141 training requirements.
• Lead and develop teams across flight operations, maintenance, instructors, and support staff.
• Drive operational performance, productivity, aircraft utilization, and customer satisfaction.
• Own the site's P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue growth, cost control, and overall financial performance.
• Monitor key business metrics and implement strategies to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Support student recruitment, enrollment growth, and business development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

FAA Part 141 knowledge

Budgeting & P&L

Operational management

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Team development

Job description

Aviation Search Group has partnered with a Part 141 Flight School to identify a General Manager to lead their Fort Lauderdale campus. This individual will be responsible for the overall operational, financial, and regulatory performance of the academy, providing leadership across flight training, maintenance, student services, and administrative functions. The ideal candidate is a hands-on aviation leader with strong business acumen, a commitment to safety, and experience managing FAA-regulated operations.

The Fort Lauderdale campus serves as a key training location for international students, focusing on European cadets progressing through structured airline pilot development programs. The General Manager will play a critical role in ensuring a high-quality training experience while maintaining strong operational standards, student satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

This is a long-term growth opportunity for an experienced aviation leader seeking to make a lasting impact on a well-established flight training organization. The position offers a competitive compensation package, along with the opportunity to help shape the future growth, performance, and success of the company.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership for the Fort Lauderdale operation, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
• Maintain compliance with FAA regulations, including Part 141 training requirements.
• Lead and develop teams across flight operations, maintenance, instructors, and support staff.
• Drive operational performance, productivity, aircraft utilization, and customer satisfaction.
• Own the site's P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue growth, cost control, and overall financial performance.
• Monitor key business metrics and implement strategies to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Support student recruitment, enrollment growth, and business development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience within a flight school, aviation academy, or FAA-regulated aviation operation.
• Strong understanding of FAA Part 141 operations and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, P&L performance, and financial results.
• Track record of leading teams and improving operational performance.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Experience overseeing flight operations, maintenance, instructors, students, and commercial functions is highly preferred.
• Ability to work on-site in Fort Lauderdale, FL.