"Director - Aviation Operations"

Job Description

Salary: $119,900.00 - $141,059.00 Annually

Job Type: FT Exempt Salaried Staff

Job Number: FY2504445

Closing: 8/15/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

Location: 800 W University Parkway, Orem

Division: VP Academic Affairs

Position Announcement

Utah Valley University is seeking an experienced and dynamic Aviation Operations Director to lead and oversee all aspects of flight operations within the School of Aviation Sciences. Reporting to the Chair of the School and collaborating closely with the Dean of the Smith College of Engineering and Technology, this role is critical in ensuring the success, safety, and efficiency of our aviation programs. The Director provides leadership for flight training, maintenance, dispatch, and line service operations, working in partnership with the Safety Officer to uphold the highest safety standards.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in strategic planning and operational excellence while shaping the future of one of the nation's largest collegiate aviation programs. UVU offers a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where innovation and student success are at the heart of everything we do.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage aviation operations, including ensuring compliance with safety regulations, overseeing flight training, aircraft maintenance, dispatch, and line service. Acts as a department organization point between various stakeholders within the department, including flight and maintenance areas. Supervises both the Chief Flight Instructor and the Director of Maintenance to ensure adequate resources and organization assets are applied to various daily tasks as well as unforeseen issues that may arise during the day-to-day operations of the School of Aviation Sciences Flight Program. Directs and guides various students and staff within the department when appropriate and necessary. Reports to, takes direction from, and continuously informs the Department Chair on all operating matters.
• Ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, airworthiness, and safety standards. Aids and direct responsible parties to comply with applicable regulations under the Code of Federal Regulations. Assist in the presentation of applicable policies and procedures to relevant oversight authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration. Assists in discussions with relevant regulatory oversight organizations to ensure adequate and accurate compliance. Serves as a point of contact for applicable regulatory oversight parties when necessary. Informs and assists with any new or updated regulatory requirements with assistance and guidance from the Department Chair and various department stakeholders.
• Applies risk management and best practices for safety to assess and manage operations. Works in conjunction with the College of Engineering and Technology Safety Officer to apply best practices, including Safety Management System philosophy and procedures, to ensure continued safe operations of all aspects of the Flight Program at UVU. Makes recommendations and suggestions to the Department Chair for improvements and best practices to ensure the safe operation of the flight program, and is responsible for new requirements and tasks that are provided from the Department Chair that may impact the safe operation of the flight program.
• Assists in development and implementation of strategic plans for aviation services. Ensure that operational strategic plans are integrated and compatible with academic strategic plans as well as complies with faculty oversight of the School of Aviation Sciences. Consults with the Department Chair on any new strategic and day-to-day plans when necessary as determined by the Department Chair.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in aviation or related field
• 5 years' flight experience within a 121, 135, or 141 flight operation
• 5 years management or leadership experience
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor's Certificate

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in aviation or related field
• Prior experience as Chief Pilot or Chief Flight Instructor
• Prior experience as FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
• 10 years' flight experience within a 121, 135, or 141 flight operation
• 10 years management or leadership experience
• Experience working in a collegiate flight training environment
• Airframe and Powerplant Certificate
• Experience working within an aircraft maintenance operations environment

Licenses/Certifications

• FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, FAA Certified Flight Instructor's Certificate

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations
• Knowledge of aircraft fleet operations and concepts of operational control
• Knowledge of aircraft airworthiness requirements
• Knowledge of local airspace and terrain
• Knowledge of flight training procedures
• Knowledge of FAA pilot candidate evaluation procedures

Skills

• Skill in recognizing hazards to the safe operation of aircraft
• Skill in recognizing when immediate action is required to ensure the safe operation of aircraft and related activities within the School of Aviation Sciences
• Skill in determining the proper action to take when immediate action is required
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Effective verbal and technical written communication skills
• Effective interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Abilities

• Ability to make immediate, high consequence decisions to ensure safe operations
• Ability to interact effectively with management within UVU
• Ability to communicate complex aviation issues with non-aviators
• Ability to identify personnel issues within and/or between departments and intervene effectively
• Ability to work with students directly or through their flight instructor to find creative solutions to operational and/or instructional issues
• Ability to coordinate with various stakeholders within and external to the School of Aviation Sciences, including the Dean, Department Chair, Chief Flight Instructor, Safety Officer, Director of Maintenance, as well as other individuals to ensure safe and effective operations
• Ability to work effectively with appropriate regulatory agencies including, but not limited to, the FAA
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment and initiative in solving problems
• Ability to work independently