Flight Program Director

Role Summary

The Flight Program Director is responsible for the strategic leadership,
operational oversight, and financial
performance of the flight school. The Flight Program Director ensures compliance with Federal Aviation
Administration regulations,
university policies, and industry standards while fostering a culture of safety, professionalism, and
excellence. As the primary
representative of the flight school, the Flight Program Director maintains strong relationships with the
university, regulatory agencies and
airport management.

The Flight Program Director reports to the Chair of the Department of
Aeronautics and the CSU CFO. The Flight
Program Director supervises the Director of Maintenance, Director of Training, Chief Flight
Instructor, Director of Operations, Safety
Manager and the Flight School Administrator.

About
Us, CSUA’s Flight Program
CSUA delivers flight training for the Part
141, Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics – Professional Pilot
program, operating out of Summerville and Moncks Corner airports in South
Carolina. Our fleet includes Diamond and Tecnam aircraft,
supported by Redbird and Frasca flight simulators. Established in 2021, CSUA is
South Carolina’s first bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics that
permits graduates to apply for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP)
certificate at 1,000 hours, preparing them for a career in
aviation.

Benefits and Compensation

1. Compensation:
   Full-time, $96,000 per
   year, exempt
2. Benefits: Employer subsidized Medical, Dental and Vision, 401(k) plan with 5% matching
3. Paid Time Off: 1
   week per semester (3 semesters per year) and all CSU holidays

Overview:

• Strategic
  Vision: Define and execute the long-term mission and strategic goals of the flight school in alignment with university
  objectives.
• Resource Acquisition: Identify and secure critical infrastructure and capital assets, including aircraft, office
  space, and hangar
  facilities.
• Strategic Growth & Staffing: Direct comprehensive hiring plans to ensure all departments—flight,
  maintenance, and
  admin—are staffed to meet enrollment demands.
• Executive Oversight: Manage the performance of senior leadership,
  including
  Directors of Maintenance, Training, Operations, and the Chief Flight Instructor.
• Administrative Management: Directly
  supervise the
  full-time Flight School Administrator to ensure high-level operational synchronization and efficient workflows.
• Regulatory
  Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to FAA, TSA, VA, and university policies, overseeing all inspections, audits, and mandatory
  reporting.
• Safety Culture: Promote a top-down culture of safety, prioritizing the implementation and continuous monitoring of the
  Safety Management System (SMS).
• Operational Excellence: Establish and monitor organizational KPIs to maintain the highest industry
  standards for safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Student Success: Oversee student record management and progress reporting to
  university leadership, ensuring students meet both educational and FAA requirements.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage the flight
  school budget, including flight lab fee pricing, cost controls, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Leadership Development:
  Lead performance management and recruitment for all senior staff to foster a collaborative and professional work environment.

Detailed Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and
Vision

• Develop and execute the long-term vision,
  mission, and strategic goals of the flight school in alignment with
  university objectives.
• Provide leadership in establishing
  policies, procedures, and organizational priorities.
• Evaluate
  and adjust strategies to address changes in the aviation training
  industry, regulatory environment, and university goals.

Resource Acquisition

• Identify and secure resources,
  including the acquisition of
  aircraft, and office and hangar facilities.
• Direct the strategic hiring plan, ensuring the department
  is adequately staffed across
  flight, maintenance, and administrative functions to meet enrollment demands.

Operational
Oversight

• Oversee the performance of the Director of Maintenance, Director of Training, Chief Flight Instructor, and
  Director
  of Operations, ensuring each department operates efficiently and effectively.
• Directly manage the full-time Flight School
  Administrator, delegating administrative workflows while ensuring high-level operational synchronization.
• Establish and monitor
  KPIs to ensure operational excellence and adherence to the highest standards of safety and quality.
• Ensure compliance with
  applicable regulations and policies including FAA, TSA, VA, accreditation, and university policies.

Safety and Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety and ensure that all operations prioritize safety above all
  else.
• Ensure implementation and
  monitoring of SMS.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all training and maintenance
  operations, including timely FAA inspections,
  audits, and reporting.

Student Progress and
Success

• Supervise the Flight School Administrator in the management
  of student records and the timely reporting of
  progress to university leadership, ensuring seamless alignment between training objectives
  and FAA requirements.
• Provide guidance
  and support to the training department in addressing any barriers to student success,
  fostering an environment that prioritizes educational
  excellence and career readiness.

Financial and Business Management

• Prepare and manage the flight school’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment with university goals.
• Oversee
  flight lab fee pricing, cost controls, and financial reporting to the university.

Human
Resources and Leadership
Development

• Lead recruitment, retention, and performance management of senior staff, including
  department heads and direct
  reports.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional work environment across all teams
• Support the professional
  development of staff and cultivate leadership succession planning

Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as the primary
  liaison between the flight school and the University’s Department
  of Aeronautics.
• Represent the flight school at industry
  conferences, events, and partnerships to enhance its reputation and
  visibility.
• Establish and maintain relationships with aviation
  industry partners, alumni, and local community organizations.

Administrative Duties

• Oversee administrative
  functions, including
  scheduling, record-keeping, and compliance documentation.
• Provide regular reports to university leadership on
  operational
  performance, safety metrics, and financial health.
• Address escalated concerns from students, staff, or other
  stakeholders in a
  timely and professional manner

Qualifications

Qualifications and
Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business, aviation, or a related field preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in
  the aviation or flight
  training industry.
• In-depth knowledge of FAA regulations (Parts 61, 91, and 141) and compliance
  requirements.
• Strong
  financial acumen with experience managing budgets and resources.
• Exceptional communication and
  interpersonal skills, with the
  ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking, critical
  thinking, and problem-solving
  abilities.
• (see the Statement of Purpose below for additional qualifications)

Tagged as: Employment