Job Description
The Opportunity
The Associate Director (AD) of the Flight Department provides operational leadership and administrative oversight for the University's flight training program. The AD assists the Director in managing the daily operations of the department, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective flight training while supporting the University's mission of academic excellence, student success, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement.
The AD serves as a key member of the Flight Department leadership team and acts on behalf of the Director as assigned. Responsibilities include supervision of flight instructors and staff, oversight of scheduling and resource utilization, coordination with academic and operational departments, and implementation of departmental strategic initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Department Administration
The Opportunity
The Associate Director (AD) of the Flight Department provides operational leadership and administrative oversight for the University's flight training program. The AD assists the Director in managing the daily operations of the department, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective flight training while supporting the University's mission of academic excellence, student success, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement.
The AD serves as a key member of the Flight Department leadership team and acts on behalf of the Director as assigned. Responsibilities include supervision of flight instructors and staff, oversight of scheduling and resource utilization, coordination with academic and operational departments, and implementation of departmental strategic initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Department Administration
- Assist the Director in the daily management and administration
of the Flight Department.
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of flight training and
aircraft maintenance activities.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable FAA regulations,
university policies, accreditation standards, and safety management
system (SMS) requirements.
- Coordinate aircraft utilization, instructor staffing, and
scheduling to maximize operational efficiency.
- Monitor operational performance and implement continuous
improvement initiatives.
- Assist in emergency response planning and operational risk
management.
- Assist with recruiting, onboarding, mentoring, scheduling, and
evaluating flight instructors, maintenance personnel and
administrative staff.
- Foster a professional culture emphasizing safety, customer
service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Coordinate professional development opportunities for
department personnel.
- Support performance management and corrective action processes
when necessary.
- Assist in implementing and supervising student advising
processes related to flight training progression.
- Monitor student performance, retention, and completion
metrics.
- Collaborate with academic advisors, faculty, and student
services to support student success.
- Address student concerns and facilitate timely resolution of
operational issues.
- Collaborate with academic leadership to align flight training
with degree program requirements.
- Assist in scheduling courses, assigning instructors, and
maintaining instructional records.
- Support curriculum implementation and continuous program
assessment.
- Participate in accreditation activities and program reviews as
required.
- Assist in preparing and administering departmental operating
budgets.
- Monitor expenditures and recommend efficient use of university
resources.
- Coordinate equipment, aircraft, simulator, and facility
utilization.
- Support long-range planning for fleet, technology, and facility
improvements.
- Promote and maintain a strong culture of aviation safety.
- Ensure compliance with FAA Part 141 requirements and applicable
federal, state, and university regulations.
- Support internal audits, inspections, and accreditation
reviews.
- Maintain required operational documentation and records.
- Develop and maintain relationships with industry partners,
government agencies, and aviation organizations.
- Represent the department at university events, recruiting
activities, conferences, and professional meetings.
- Support internship, employment, and partnership initiatives
benefiting students and the department.
For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.
Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.
Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace.
- Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your
first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued
throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays,
including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas
Eve and New Year's Day.
- Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for
yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and
discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age
26.
- Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your
base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching
contribution – with no vesting period.
- Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave
for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees
in your first year.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Aviation Management,
Aeronautical Science, or a closely related field.
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Single-Engine
Land and Multi-Engine Land ratings.
- FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate.
- Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in
collegiate or professional flight training.
- Minimum three years of supervisory or management
experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of FAA Part 141 flight training
operations.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal
skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced
operational environment.
- Master's degree in Aviation, Education, Business
Administration, or related discipline.
- FAA Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII) and
Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI).
- Experience managing university flight operations.
- Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS).
- Experience with accreditation and regulatory compliance.
- Budget management experience.
- Experience using flight scheduling and training management
software (e.g., Flight Schedule Pro, Talon, ETA, or similar).
- Cover letter
- Full CV
- Contact information for at least three professional references
(please note that references may be contacted as part of the
interview/screening process)
Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy.
Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website .
Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact eraujobs@erau.edu and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.