Aviation Manager

About the Company - Global Support and Development (GSD ) is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to work with regional, national, and local communities across the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific for resilience to crises through rapid response, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. GSD began as an impromptu response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu in 2015. Since our founding, we have worked with a number of regional, national and local communities and supported various international and United States domestic disaster response and preparedness efforts. Our first response defined the core of GSD’s DNA as an organization – to work with communities – led by their needs, filling the gaps they have identified, while leveraging unique approaches and capabilities with an innovation mindset. By integrating our team’s diverse skill sets and resources into local responses, we provide rapid response assistance to affected communities in coordination with regional, national, and local community partners. We work to support and strengthen local capacity through disaster preparedness initiatives, including innovation and climate adaptation, to reduce the impact disasters and the climate crisis have on communities.

About the Role - Global Support and Development seeks a full-time Senior Manager of Aviation Operations for the Charlotte, N.C. location. The Senior Manager supports the Chief Operations Officer (COO) with all aspects of developing and maintaining GSD’s aviation operations. This includes the management of maritime aviation capabilities onboard the Humanitarian Vessel, Operational Risk Management associated with all GSD’s aviation operations, oversight of vetting and relationship management of GSD’s aviation operators and partner network, SOP development, equipment procurement, and training support. The position will support GSD’s Rapid Response and Disaster Preparedness operational activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and execute plans, processes, and projects in support of departmental strategy, maximizing efficient use of resources and ensuring shared vision;
• Support the professional development and growth of direct reports and the departmental team as a whole;
• Support critical decision-making processes, to include identifying issues and driving problem-solving, especially in resource-constrained and time-sensitive contexts. This includes identifying and mitigating issues that may impact organizational stability;
• Lead budgetary planning, financial control and monthly analysis for Aviation;
• Manage all administration in support of Rotary Wing operator vetting and approval processes including tracking contractual agreements, insurance documentation, and pilot approvals;
• Lead the development and implementation of aviation training for HV Crew and GSD HQ staff;
• Lead aviation capability development of GSD’s aviation operations including concept creation, training design and vendor management, equipment procurement, and SOP development;
• Lead the implementation and management of Operational Risk Management processes and promote a culture of compliance with safety, flight standards, flight operations procedures, ground operations procedures, and operational risk management policies embedded in the organization’s approach to aviation operations;
• Act as Operational Risk Owner for aviation Operational Risk Management in support of the Operational Risk Responsible Officer (COO);
• Support the COO with the development of the Aviation Access concept development including aviation network management, partnership development, objective setting;
• Perform as the aviation operations Flight Coordinator in support of Disaster Response operations from either onboard DAWN or ashore;
• Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
• Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of relevant experience in general or military aviation operations, preferably in the humanitarian sector and preferably including Rotary Wing aviation;
• Three (3) or more years experience operating in support of aviation operations within an international context including with small operators, preferably in connected to the humanitarian field;
• Experience in risk management and associated processes;
• Proven experience leading the development and delivery of programs.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in air operations, air traffic management, aviation operations, aviation business administration or relevant field; or
• Equivalent experience and training in aviation operations.

Professional Licenses/Certifications:

• Aviation Safety Management Certificate;
• FAA aircraft dispatcher license;
• NWCG Aircraft Dispatcher;
• NGO Flight Coordinator;
• Certification in project management is desired; and
• DOT Hazmat or IATA DGR training certification (can be from multiple sources).

Knowledge/Skills:

• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams to produce quality results within challenging timeframes and ongoing change;
• Program oversight and management, development of programmatic policy, procedure, and guidelines;
• Strategic enabler with ability to drive key initiatives and influence cross collaboration;
• Experience in developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans;
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure;
• Confident and effective written and verbal communication, to include presentation ability;
• Cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders to build relationships;
• Ability to work with external partners to coordinate with GSD mission activity;
• Discernment for confidentiality in relation to organizational, partner, and donor activities and communications;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to rapidly shift tasks;
• Experience working and/or traveling domestically and internationally; and
• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French desired.

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed. The essential functions, knowledge, skills, and working conditions may change along with business needs. This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will. Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires.

GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections.

GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections.