Vice President of Flight Operations #0204CG

About the role

Our client is a well-capitalized early-stage aviation venture developing a regional premium scheduled service connecting Northeast business hubs to vacation and second-home markets along the Eastern Seaboard. The founding team combines deep capital markets experience with senior aviation operating expertise, and the company is preparing to enter the FAA certification process within the coming year. The role provides an opportunity to build and lead the flight operations function from the earliest stages, with direct accountability for pilot organization, dispatch, training, and operational performance.

This role demands an aviator-leader with a proven track record in commercial flight operations, deep regulatory fluency, and the temperament to build a department from scratch.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead the flight operations department, including chief pilot, director of operations, and dispatch leadership
• Establish pilot hiring standards, training pathways, upgrade criteria, and career progression frameworks
• Define operational performance standards across on-time performance, completion factor, and safety metrics
• Lead crew scheduling philosophy, base structure decisions, and bid systems
• Partner with the certification team on flight operations elements of the Part 121 application, including the Flight Operations Manual and Standard Operating Procedures
• Establish initial and recurrent training programs aligned with FAA AQP or traditional training requirements
• Oversee selection and onboarding of training partners, simulator providers, and instructor cadre
• Partner with the safety function on flight data monitoring, ASAP, and operational risk management
• Lead irregular operations response, diversion management, and operational decision-making frameworks

Requirements

• 15+ years of commercial flight operations experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles such as VP Flight Ops, Director of Operations, or Chief Pilot
• ATP certificate with significant Part 121 or Part 135 turbine experience
• Deep working knowledge of FAR Parts 117, 119, 121, and 135
• Direct participation in a Part 121 certification process strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success building or substantially restructuring flight operations departments

Preferred Qualifications

• Type ratings on relevant narrow-body or regional jet equipment
• Experience at a startup carrier or new entrant
• Background in premium, business-class, or boutique service environments
• Prior involvement in fleet introduction or new aircraft type entry-into-service

Benefits

Remuneration & Benefits Package

• Base Salary: $275,000 to $340,000 annually + Performance-Based Compensation
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (employee and family coverage)
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy

Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.

To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit

https://www.kellerexecutivesearch.com/executive-recruitment-headhunters-fort-lauderdale/

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