Keller Executive Search International

Managing Director – Aviation & Transportation

Keller Executive Search International

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: United States

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Salary

💰 $350,000 - $425,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Build relationships with key regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to support operational readiness
  • Lead FAA certification and regulatory approval processes, ensuring full compliance with federal aviation standards
  • Establish and maintain robust safety, compliance, and operational frameworks that meet or exceed regulatory requirements
  • Serve as the primary executive liaison with FAA regulators and other government agencies, ensuring alignment and responsiveness throughout all regulatory milestones
  • Set performance culture, decision-making cadence, and accountability standards from day one
  • Define organizational structure, roles, accountabilities, and reporting relationships to support regulatory approval and operational scale
  • Foster a high-trust, high-performance culture aligned with both safety excellence and brand aspirations
  • Recruit, hire, and lead the foundational executive team across operations, safety, compliance, maintenance, and finance functions
  • Develop scalable standard operating procedures (SOPs), governance structures, and systems to support future expansion
  • Oversee strategy, operational partnerships, vendor relationships, and readiness milestones
  • Define and execute the operational roadmap from planning through launch and early-stage growth
  • Balance service delivery with disciplined cost management and uncompromising safety standards
  • Ensure operational delivery consistently reflects the positioning and brand promise
  • Partner with key stakeholders to shape service standards, service philosophy, and customer experience standards
  • Position the business competitively within the travel market
  • Integrate service excellence into operational processes, training programs, and frontline accountability
  • Maintain transparency and accountability in all board and investor communications
  • Present operational progress, regulatory milestones, and financial performance to investors and stakeholders
  • Participate in fundraising efforts and represent the company's vision and capability to current and prospective investors
  • Serve as the senior executive interface with the Board of Directors, providing strategic updates and seeking guidance on key decisions

Requirements

  • Proven experience overseeing organizational development and launch activities, including team formation, systems development, and regulatory processes
  • Exceptional judgment and credibility in navigating complex regulatory environments and building trust with government agencies
  • Deep commercial aviation regulatory experience, including significant involvement in FAA certification processes
  • Strategic and operational versatility: able to think big-picture while driving detailed execution
  • High credibility across diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, operational staff, board members, and investors
  • Ability to operate effectively in complex, high-ambiguity settings with changing priorities
  • Willingness to travel extensively and relocate as operational needs require
  • Strong command of FAA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and compliance frameworks applicable to commercial aviation operations
  • Proven executive leadership as CEO, President, COO, VP Operations, or General Manager in aviation or similarly regulated, safety-critical industries
  • **Preferred Qualifications**
  • Experience integrating brand vision with operational execution, ensuring service delivery aligns with market positioning
  • Background in aviation or service industries with a focus on customer experience and brand differentiation
  • Prior experience as CEO, President, or COO with ultimate P&L and operational accountability
  • Direct leadership experience in FAA certification processes for aviation operations
  • Experience in private aviation, charter operations, or emerging aviation business models
  • Investor-facing leadership experience, including fundraising, stakeholder management, and articulating vision to financial backers
  • Experience across multi-site or multi-certificate operating environments is highly valued
  • Track record in scaling organizations from startup to mature operational phases
Benefits
  • Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (employee and family coverage)
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
FAA certificationsafety management systemscompliance frameworksorganizational developmentsystems developmentoperational roadmapstandard operating proceduresregulatory processesperformance culturecost management
Soft Skills
exceptional judgmentcredibilitystrategic thinkingoperational versatilitystakeholder managementhigh-performance culturetrust buildingcommunicationleadershipadaptability