Director of Operations

Director of Operations — Part 135 Aviation

Location: Ankeny, Iowa

Industry: Business & Charter Aviation

Schedule: Primarily onsite | Occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call availability

Relocation Assistance: Provided

Lead the Operations Behind a High-Performance Charter Aviation Organization

We are seeking an experienced Director of Operations (DO) to provide strategic and operational leadership for a growing Part 135 charter operation. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an aviation professional who understands the demands of safe, compliant, customer-focused flight operations and is ready to play a central role in shaping the organization's operational standards and culture.

As the FAA-required Director of Operations, you will have ultimate responsibility for operational control of flights conducted under the company's Part 135 certificate
. You'll work closely with the Chief Pilot, Director of Maintenance, Director of Safety, and executive leadership to ensure every flight is conducted safely, efficiently, legally, and in accordance with FAA regulations, the company's Operations Specifications, and General Operations Manual.

This role offers the opportunity to have a direct influence on flight operations, safety, compliance, crew performance, operational processes, and the overall growth of the business.

• Exercise operational control, or ensure operational control is appropriately delegated and documented, for all Part 135 flight operations in accordance with 14 CFR § 135.77.
• Provide leadership and oversight for day-to-day flight operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and operational consistency.
• Oversee flight scheduling, crew qualifications and currency, duty/rest compliance, and other critical operational requirements.
• Ensure weather, airport, fuel, weight and balance, dispatch-release, and other flight-planning procedures meet company and regulatory standards.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, safety, and service.

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact with the FAA's assigned Flight Standards office.
• Maintain compliance with applicable FAA regulations, Operations Specifications, and company procedures.
• Maintain, update, and enforce the General Operations Manual (GOM), ensuring flight operations personnel are properly trained and compliant.
• Lead the organization's response to FAA inspections, audits, and enforcement inquiries.
• Ensure timely corrective actions and continuous improvement following audits, inspections, or operational findings.
• Maintain required management and personnel records and ensure FAA notifications are completed as required.

• Partner with the Chief Pilot on pilot training, standardization, qualification, and check airman oversight.
• Partner with the Director of Maintenance to ensure maintenance coordination and airworthiness-release procedures support safe and reliable flight operations.
• Partner with the Director of Safety to maintain and continuously improve the company's Safety Management System (SMS).
• Participate in the investigation and resolution of safety events, irregularities, and hazard reports.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on staffing, budgeting, vendors, operational performance, and strategic initiatives.

• Establish a culture where safety, accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence are the standard.
• Provide leadership and direction to flight operations personnel.
• Ensure employees understand and consistently follow company policies, procedures, and FAA requirements.
• Build strong relationships across flight operations,…