The Head of Aviation Training Center is responsible for ensuring all training programs comply with Part 121 Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). This role sets the strategic direction for the training department, ensuring all activities align with regulatory requirements, company policies, procedures, and the Atlas Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Head of Aviation Training Center leads the Flight Operations training department, prioritizing operational efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement to enhance pilot performance, ensure compliance, and maintain the company’s competitive advantage. Key responsibilities include overseeing the development of flight training programs, monitoring effectiveness through Safety data, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and data analytics, ensuring alignment with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and industry best practices. Additionally, this position is tasked with developing and executing strategies that support the company’s objectives, regulatory compliance, and business growth goals.

• Develop and execute strategic plans for Flight Operations training that drive business growth and align with the company’s overall objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the Flight Operations training department with a focus on achieving business outcomes, fostering a culture of operational efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement that supports the company’s competitive advantage.
• Provide strategic guidance to training department leadership, instructors and other department leadership to ensure alignment, quality and standardization across all aspects of training delivery.
• Collaborate closely with the Vice President, Flight Operations, Senior Director, Flight Operations (DO), and other business leaders to ensure training initiatives directly contribute to pilot performance, safety and compliance and supports company objectives and growth strategies.
• Oversee the development and continuous improvement of flight training programs, prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable returns on investment and align with industry best practices and regulatory standards.
• Monitor and evaluate training effectiveness using key performance indicators (KPIs) and data analytics, making informed adjustments to optimize pilot performance, safety, and cost-efficiency.
• Lead audits and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved training systems, ensuring regulatory compliance is integrated into the business strategy as it relates to Part 121 Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).
• Drive the creation and revision of training curricula that leverage the latest technology and instructional methods, with a focus on enhancing operational performance, optimize pilot performance and safety. Engage with subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure training materials are not only compliant but also contribute to the company’s value proposition and crewmember experience.
• Establish and enforce standards for instructor qualifications, ensuring they are equipped to deliver training effectively, making adjustments as necessary to optimize pilot performance and safety. Provide coaching to maximize their impact on business outcomes.
• Ensure that training and evaluation programs are conducted with strict adherence to safety, regulatory, and company standards, minimizing business risks and ensuring operational excellence.
• Represent the company in dealings with regulatory agencies and industry organizations, influencing standards and practices in ways that benefit the business and enhance competitive positioning. Serves as a liaison representing the company’s interests and advocating for safe and effective training practices.
• Manage the department’s budget with a focus on maximizing cost efficiency, aligning spending with business priorities, and achieving financial targets.
• Implement performance management processes that align with business goals, providing constructive feedback, coaching, and career development to direct reports to enhance their contribution to the company’s success.
• Oversee crewmember progression, using data-driven insights to ensure training investments yield maximum returns and align with the company’s talent management strategy.
• Support the Pilot Hiring Working Group, using data driven metrics ensuring new hires align with the company’s business needs and strategic goals. Partner with HR to implement programs that directly impact Flight Crew.
• Collaborate with training department leadership ensuring documented processes are developed and updated to drive sustainability ensuring effective repeatable processes and communication between departments.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels of instructors for all fleets using data-driven metrics and forecasting models to optimize cost-efficiency and effective use of resources.
• Collaborate with Fleet Captains to ensure common strategies, methods and initiatives to effectively manage respective pilot groups.
• Collaborate with the Vice President, Flight Operations on initiatives that drive business success, taking on additional duties as necessary to support the company’s strategic direction.

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Air Transportation
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent years of experience is required
• Minimum 5 years of FAR Part 121 experience with FAA regulations sub part N, orders and advisory circulars
• Advanced organizational leader with ability to inspire and motivate others to attain Company goals
• Expertise in working closely with senior leadership, driving organizational success, and ensuring alignment.
• Airline Transport Pilot license in a 121 environment is a plus
• Must have in depth knowledge of Part 121 training requirements for pilots. Prior experience as an instructor, check airmen or examiner is advantageous
• Experience in Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) training environment is a plus
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a high-growth, minimally structured environment
• Must have experience in FAA rules and regulations, detailed tracking, and reporting

Special demands:

• Minimum 30% travel required

Skills:

• Exceptional communication skills (e.g. verbal, written, and listening), with the ability to communicate complex processes to internal and external stakeholders
• Flexibility to adapt to a fast paced work environment
• Ability to manage through ambiguity, analyze and summarize complex data in a concise manner, and make meaningful business recommendations.
• Strong problem solving skills, decision-making, and demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to keep track of many moving parts and identify irregularities timely
• Ability to engage with and establish credibility with at the most senior/executive level.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute on agreed strategy
• Ability to remain resilient and supportive under challenging conditions.
• Business acumen with flight training and safety management

Salary range: $201,000-$272,000 (base salary, commensurate with experience) plus participation in applicable annual bonus program.

Financial offer within the stated range will be based on multiple factors to include but not limited to location, relevant experience/level and skillset. 

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to afford equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, place of birth, age, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable in accordance with federal, state and local laws. 

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law document at http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/poster.cfm. 

To view our Pay Transparency Statement, please click here: Pay Transparency Statement