Flight Operations Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Oversee J.S. Held's enterprise drone program.

• Ensure visibility into drone assets, pilots, certifications, utilization, and flight operations.

• Create and uphold standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, policies, procedures, records, and controls.

• Monitor program performance and report on utilization, compliance, billing, risks, and implementation status.

• Optimize fleet management and explore new revenue possibilities.

• Manage drone inventory, registration, assignment, maintenance, insurance, and retirement processes.

• Keep track of FAA regulations, pilot credentials, renewals, authorizations, and recordkeeping responsibilities.

• Assist with risk evaluations, incident reporting, corrective measures, and compliance assessments.

• Collaborate with Finance and practice operations on drone billing and documentation processes.

• Link flight activity to projects or engagements and maintain invoicing, audit, and client inquiry records.

• Supervise billing adoption and exceptions, reporting on activity, billings, recoveries, costs, and program economics.

• Lead the definition of requirements, support RFP processes, evaluate, and implement a drone fleet-management platform.

• Manage the chosen platform, ensuring data standards, user access, workflows, data quality, vendor performance, and enhancements are maintained.

• Coordinate with drone technology, equipment, training, and compliance vendors.

• Work with practice leaders, pilots, and corporate functions to facilitate adoption and address issues.

• Organize pilot onboarding, training, certification tracking, and program communication.

• Act as the main coordination point and direct technical, legal, regulatory, safety, and accounting inquiries to subject matter experts.

• Provide enterprise coordination without having direct-report pilots.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• A minimum of five years' experience in program management, operations, fleet or asset management, compliance administration, field operations, or a related field.

• Practical understanding of commercial drone operations and relevant FAA regulations.

• Experience in implementing standardized processes across various teams, locations, or business units.

• Familiarity with selecting, implementing, or managing an operational, fleet, asset, compliance, or workflow technology platform.

• Strong analytical, reporting, organizational, and stakeholder management abilities.

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgement, and the capability to manage multiple workstreams without direct authority.

• Ability to work at a computer and review operational, regulatory, and financial information for extended periods.

• Competence in effectively communicating with geographically dispersed stakeholders and handling multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Willingness to travel occasionally and access field or equipment storage locations as required.

• Capability to safely handle or move typical small-drone equipment and cases, with reasonable accommodations as necessary.

• Occasional work outside standard business hours may be necessary.

• Preferred: experience in supporting a multi-location drone, aviation, field-services, equipment-management, or other regulated operational program.

• Preferred: experience with drone fleet-management platforms, flight-log systems, or asset-management solutions.

• Preferred: background in supporting billing, cost recovery, project accounting, or client documentation in a professional services setting.

• Preferred: knowledge of commercial insurance schedules, FAA waivers or authorizations, and specialized drone operating environments.

• Preferred: certifications or training in project management, safety management, process improvement, or change management.

🏝️ Benefits

• Flexible work environment that allows employees to work remotely when necessary.

• Flexible Time Off policy.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• 401k Match.

• Commuter Benefit.