Vice President – Aerial Operations

 About Columbia

Columbia Helicopters is the global leader in heavy-lift helicopter operations and a trusted expert in maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. Backed by nearly 70 years of experience, Columbia operates internationally, often conducting operations in remote, austere conditions, providing safe and reliable aircraft and qualified personnel that meet demanding global transport requirements. Columbia leverages its position as the OEM and FAA Type Certificate holder for both the Model 234 Chinook and 107-II helicopters to provide responsive modifications, lifecycle support, and MRO services trusted worldwide by a diverse customer base.

Job Title: Vice President, Aerial Operations – Heavy-Lift Helicopters

Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Vice President of Aerial Operations to lead and oversee the operational, financial, regulatory, and safety aspects of our heavy-lift helicopter fleet. This senior leadership role is critical to ensuring the success of our mission-driven operations, maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in rotorcraft flight operations, a strong understanding of heavy-lift helicopter capabilities, and the ability to manage P&L performance to drive profitability and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Profit & Loss (P&L) Accountability:
• Oversee the financial health of the flight operations division, ensuring revenue and cost targets are met or exceeded.
• Develop and implement financial strategies to optimize profitability while maintaining operational excellence.
• Manage budgets, cost controls, and resource allocation to achieve financial and operational goals.
• Track and report key financial metrics, identifying opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Operational Leadership:
• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all flight operations, including planning, scheduling, and execution of heavy-lift helicopter missions.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Optimize fleet utilization to achieve operational excellence and meet customer requirements.
• Safety & Compliance:
• Ensure all flight operations adhere to aviation safety standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, EASA, or ICAO), and company policies.
• Champion a culture of safety, implementing proactive measures to mitigate risks and improve operational safety performance.
• Oversee audits, inspections, and certifications to maintain regulatory compliance and operational readiness.
• Team Leadership & Development:
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of pilots, crew members, and operations staff to foster a high-performance culture.
• Ensure proper training, certification, and readiness of all flight operations personnel.
• Promote collaboration and teamwork across departments, including maintenance, engineering, and customer service.
• Customer Engagement & Mission Success:
• Work closely with customers to understand their heavy-lift requirements and ensure operational plans align with their needs.
• Drive mission success by delivering on-time, cost-effective, and high-quality flight operations for a wide range of applications (e.g., construction, oil & gas, firefighting, disaster relief, or military support).
• Field Maintenance & Resource Management:
• Collaborate with Field Maintenance, ensuring aircraft availability, maintenance scheduling, and mission-specific configurations.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to ensure the fleet is maintained at the highest standards.
• Manage operational budgets, resource allocation, and cost control measures.
• Strategic Planning & Innovation:
• Develop and execute strategic plans to enhance the company’s flight operations capabilities and market presence.
• Identify and implement new technologies, systems, or processes to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness.
• Support business development initiatives by contributing to proposals, presentations, and customer engagements.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 15 years of experience in aviation operations, with at least 10 years in a leadership role overseeing helicopter operations.
• Proven track record of managing P&L for a large division, program, or business unit.
• Extensive experience in heavy-lift helicopter operations (e.g., CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky S-64, or equivalent rotorcraft platforms).
• Deep knowledge of aviation regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and operational compliance standards.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to interpret and act on complex financial data.
• Proven ability to manage complex flight operations in demanding environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience working with diverse customers, including government agencies, military, and commercial clients, is a plus.

Preferred Attributes:

• Demonstrated experience in large-scale project management and mission-critical operations.
• Strong understanding of heavy-lift helicopter mission profiles, including external load operations, precision placement, and high-altitude performance.
• Familiarity with cutting-edge aviation technologies, such as avionics systems and flight data monitoring.

Why Join Us?
As a global leader in heavy-lift helicopter operations, we offer a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in an exciting and vital industry. Join our team to lead cutting-edge flight operations while driving profitability and operational excellence that support critical missions around the world.

Location: Aurora, Oregon
Reports To: President & CEO
Travel Requirements: up to 35%

Apply Now to take the helm of our world-class heavy-lift helicopter operations and drive success in one of the most demanding sectors of aviation.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual origin, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Applicants must be a U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. Chapter I, Subchapter M, § 120.15.

If you are an individual with a disability and unable to complete our electronic application process, please e-mail applicant@colheli.com or contact Human Resources at 503-678-1222 for assistance.