Chief Aviation Officer

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Aviation Officer (CAO) provides collaborative strategic leadership and executive oversight of Boston Med Flight’s aviation business unit which includes flight operations, maintenance, and aviation safety. The CAO ensures the safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of aviation operations and respects and preserves the regulatory, airworthiness, and operational authority of the Director of Aviation Operations (DO), Director of Maintenance (DOM) and Chief Pilor (CP) while aligning performance with the organization’s mission and goals.

• Maintain the highest standards of safety, performance, and compliance for Boston Med Flight's aviation business unit under applicable FAA regulations and CAMTS accreditation standards.
• Oversee the Director of Aviation Operations, Director of Aviation Maintenance, and Aviation Safety Manager, ensuring coordinated and safe aviation operations. The Director of Aviation Safety maintains a direct line of communication to the CEO as Accountable Executive.
• Ensure aviation departments have the resources and support necessary to maintain required documentation and records in accordance with regulations, accreditation standards, manufacturers, and organizational requirements.
• Support aviation quality functions, including internal compliance audits, corrective action tracking, and oversight of safety data programs (FOQA, ASAP, MSAP).
• Maintain executive oversight of flight operations and maintenance quality programs and ensure significant findings, trends, and resource needs are communicated to the senior leadership team.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and participate in strategic planning discussions and initiatives.
• Serve as a key aviation advisor to the CEO and Board of Trustees, contributing aviation expertise to strategic decision-making, industry partnerships, fleet planning initiatives, and presentations to the Board on business unit updates, key aviation initiatives, and challenges.
• Represent Boston Med Flight in matters related to aviation with consortium and community hospitals, trade organizations, the FAA, state or municipal aviation bodies, airport management, community organizations, and contract agencies.
• Develop and manage aircraft fleet replacement strategy and capital expenditures, including ongoing assessment of fleet size, type, and equipment against patient care requirements and suitability.
• In coordination with finance, prepare and manage the annual aviation budget, including forecasting expenses and capital needs.
• Authorize expenditures within defined organizational limits.
• Monitor the aviation budget and provide variance analysis with recommendations.
• Submit monthly readiness and performance reports to executive leadership.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to define staffing needs, qualifications, compensation, performance evaluation, employment policies, and workforce and succession planning for aviation team members.
• Ensure aviation departments have appropriate resources and support for education and training of aviation programs for personnel including pilots and mechanics, and aviation specific training for clinicians and communication specialists.
• Conduct performance evaluations of direct reports and support leadership development and accountability.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture that supports cross-functional teamwork, communication, and shared accountability across the aviation business unit.
• Collaborate with Clinical leadership to support patient care needs within applicable aviation safety, airworthiness, and regulatory requirements. .
• Provide executive level support and oversight of…