Director, Aircraft Programs

Director of Aircraft Programs

Build an Aviation Career You’re Proud Of

Your work ties us all together, helping our teams function and operate. Experience opportunities to learn and me a part of an organization that has your back. And with competitive compensation and total rewards, you’ll also enjoy our great perks.

The Director of Aircraft Programs is responsible for the overall strategy of Business Aviation’s non-engine services segment. Under the direction of the VP – Airframe Programs, the role develops and implements the plans to increase Airframe revenue and margin across Business Aviation airframe sites by working in concert with Sales and the Operations.  Also manages new product introductions (NPI), works with sites to monitor/act upon KPIs, develops organic and inorganic strategy and leads in implementation.   Provides direction and guidance for product related marketing, account development, and business acquisitions.

What you’ll do:

• Primary function is to maximize performance of non-engine services including Airframe, Avionics, Paint and Interior at SA sites.  Must work cohesively with sales and all facilities with the goal of maximizing results within the labor and hangar space constraints of each facility.
• Evaluate growth opportunities and new business development including acquisitions, and lead projects to expand labor and hangar capacity; establish clear platform priorities and all items (tooling, manuals, training, etc) required to execute on those platforms.
• Establish commercial strategy for all offerings and implement pricing frameworks in collaboration with sales and site/business operations. Coordinate with VP, Sales and sales team to collaborate on developing sales strategies and ensuring product offerings are aligned with capabilities.
• Foster and build sustainable relationships with the key airframe OEMs and evaluate possible new relationships as growth opportunities.
• Manage airframe/avionics OEM ASC agreements.   This includes cost benefit analysis, negotiations, and overseeing contract compliance when ASC agreements are beneficial to StandardAero.
• Coordinate with sites to complete facility audits to ensure staffing, training, tooling, and manuals are sufficient to maintain operational excellence and compliance to ASC agreements.
• Manage the StandardAero Business Aviation Centralized Engineering and ODA team and assist in breaking barriers to develop capabilities and expand profitable Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) activity.
• Coordinate with VP/GM and airframe service managers to balance labor capacity with forecasted market demand as needed to achieve AOP.
• Lead projects to foster a continuous improvement environment to drive ever improving efficiency, profit, and customer experience.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the market and competitive forces; translate market knowledge into strategy and coordinated execution.
• Provide leadership for developing Annual Operating Budget and Long-Range Plans (LRP), and high-level forecasting and P&L insight/analysis. 
• Provide direction and guidance for product related marketing and account development.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related industry experience may be considered.
• A&P License with extensive experience on business aviation aircraft a plus but not required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience within the aviation maintenance industry, preferably in business or corporate aviation MRO.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience with responsibility for multiple operational functions, business units, service centers, or geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing or supporting multiple aviation maintenance service offerings, including airframe, avionics, paint, and/or interior services.
• Experience developing and executing business growth strategies, including new platform introductions, expansion of maintenance capabilities, and/or acquisition evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience establishing commercial strategies, pricing structures, customer agreements, and negotiating OEM or other strategic business partnerships.
• Experience with financial management, including P&L oversight, annual operating budgets, financial forecasting, and long-range business planning.
• Experience managing operational capacity, including workforce planning, labor utilization, facility constraints, and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and driving operational improvements across multiple locations.
• Strong market research and analysis skills
• Knowledge/Interest in leveraging AI
• Must be available to travel 25-50%; work location can be remote.

Preferred Characteristics 

• Strong planning, organizational, analytical, interpersonal, decision making, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and customer service skills.
• Strong product knowledge, including engine applications, technical knowledge of maintenance characteristics, 
• Strong financial analysis skills.
• Thorough knowledge of PC's in the company operating system environment.
• Working knowledge of contract and program management
• Experience in a program management, sales, purchasing, negotiations, and/or related management role in an aerospace environment.

Benefits that make life better

• Relocation Assistance Eligible for those who qualify
• Comprehensive Healthcare Insurance
• 401(k) with a 5% company match, immediately vested
• Paid Time Off accrued starting on day one
• Quarterly Bonus opportunities
• Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Career development and cross-training opportunities