Managing Director – Aviation Platform

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Lead the processes for FAA certification and regulatory approval, ensuring full compliance with federal aviation standards.

• Act as the primary executive liaison with FAA regulators and other governmental agencies, ensuring alignment and responsiveness throughout all regulatory milestones.

• Establish and uphold strong safety, compliance, and operational frameworks that meet or exceed regulatory requirements.

• Cultivate relationships with essential regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to facilitate operational readiness.

• Recruit, hire, and guide the foundational executive team across operations, safety, compliance, maintenance, and finance functions.

• Define the organizational structure, roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships to support regulatory approval and operational scaling.

• Establish a performance culture, decision-making rhythm, and accountability standards from day one.

• Promote a high-trust, high-performance culture that aligns with both safety excellence and brand aspirations.

• Define and implement the operational roadmap from planning to launch and early-stage growth.

• Develop scalable standard operating procedures (SOPs), governance structures, and systems to facilitate future expansion.

• Balance service delivery with disciplined cost management while upholding uncompromising safety standards.

• Oversee strategy, operational partnerships, vendor relationships, and readiness milestones.

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to shape service standards, service philosophy, and customer experience expectations.

• Ensure that operational delivery consistently reflects the positioning and brand promise.

• Integrate service excellence into operational processes, training programs, and frontline accountability.

• Position the business competitively within the travel market.

• Serve as the senior executive interface with the Board of Directors, providing strategic updates and seeking guidance on critical decisions.

• Present operational progress, regulatory milestones, and financial performance to investors and stakeholders.

• Participate in fundraising activities and represent the company's vision and capabilities to current and prospective investors.

• Maintain transparency and accountability in all communications with the board and investors.

⛳️ Requirements

• Extensive commercial aviation regulatory experience, including significant involvement in FAA certification processes.

• Proven executive leadership experience as CEO, President, COO, VP Operations, or General Manager in aviation or similarly regulated, safety-critical industries.

• Demonstrated experience in overseeing organizational development and launch activities, including team formation, systems development, and regulatory processes.

• Strong understanding of FAA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and compliance frameworks applicable to commercial aviation operations.

• Exceptional judgment and credibility in navigating complex regulatory environments and building trust with government agencies.

• Ability to operate effectively in complex, high-ambiguity settings with shifting priorities.

• High credibility among diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, operational staff, board members, and investors.

• Strategic and operational versatility: capable of thinking big-picture while effectively driving detailed execution.

• Willingness to travel extensively and relocate as operational needs dictate.

• **Preferred Qualifications**

• Direct leadership experience in FAA certification processes for aviation operations.

• Background in aviation or service industries with an emphasis on customer experience and brand differentiation.

• Experience in private aviation, charter operations, or innovative aviation business models.

• Experience integrating brand vision with operational execution, ensuring service delivery aligns with market positioning.

• Investor-facing leadership experience, including fundraising, stakeholder management, and articulating vision to financial backers.

• Proven track record in scaling organizations from startup to mature operational phases.

• Prior experience as CEO, President, or COO with ultimate P&L and operational accountability.

• Experience in multi-site or multi-certificate operating environments is highly regarded.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (for employees and their families).

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution.

• Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy.