Senior Manager of Aviation Operations

*** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States.

Position Title:  Senior Manager of Aviation Operations

Supervisor’s Title: Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Exemption Status: Exempt  

Positions Supervised: Aviation Specialist

Location:  Charlotte, N.C. with travel to other U.S. and international locations as needed

BACKGROUND: 

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.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Senior Manager of Aviation Operations 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.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop, implement, and execute plans, processes, and projects in support of departmental strategy, maximizing efficient use of resources and ensuring shared vision;
2. Support the professional development and growth of direct reports and the departmental team as a whole;
3. 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;
4. Lead budgetary planning, financial control and monthly analysis for Aviation;
5. Manage all administration in support of Rotary Wing operator vetting and approval processes including tracking contractual agreements, insurance documentation, and pilot approvals;
6. Lead the development and implementation of aviation training for HV Crew and GSD HQ staff; 
7. Lead aviation capability development of GSD’s aviation operations including concept creation, training design and vendor management, equipment procurement, and SOP development;
8. 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;
9. Act as Operational Risk Owner for aviation Operational Risk Management in support of the Operational Risk Responsible Officer (COO);
10. Support the COO with the development of the Aviation Access concept development including aviation network management, partnership development, objective setting; 
11. Perform as the aviation operations Flight Coordinator in support of Disaster Response operations from either onboard DAWN or ashore; 
12. Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
13. Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and
14. 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.

Required 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. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States;
• Role requires the ability to work from onboard the Humanitarian Vessel while underway and willing to undertake specialist crew training including a Seafarers Medical examination.    
• Role requires periods onboard the Humanitarian Vessel - not normally longer than 2 weeks at a time and for no more that 3 months over any 12 month period; and 
• Routine domestic and international travel up to 30% is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

GSD prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of all of our staff members. All employees are expected to follow strict safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required and adherence to safety regulations (maritime, and other), to mitigate risks. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and North Carolina state law, GSD will provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others. 

These working conditions and physical demands are described to provide a clear understanding of the challenging and demanding nature of the role, to ensure that potential candidates are well-prepared for the challenging and demanding nature of the duties and realities of disaster response work. 

Working Conditions

• May be regularly exposed to and required to work in varying outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather events; 
• May be required to engage in irregular travel and / or work schedules, which may include extended hours exceeding 8 hours in a day, including holidays/weekends/evenings, and overnight travel requirements;
• While wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) some of which is required and may be provided by GSD: 
  • Work may be conducted near moving mechanical parts, which could include exposure to loud noises;
  • Work may be conducted near and include potential exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals; or 
  • Work may be conducted in areas that include exposure to the risk of electrical shock or vibration.
• Ability to obtain necessary travel documents and fulfill any other travel requirements (including an active passport, visa requirements, vaccinations, etc.);
• This role may include deployments to support natural disaster response efforts within hazardous environments (economically/environmentally) in pre and post disaster scenarios which could include, among other conditions: lack of access to medical care, exposure to critical incidents (including severe injury, death, traumatic encounters, and/or mental strain), and uncommon sleeping arrangements (i.e. not in a hotel, could include close living quarters and cohabitation);  
• GSD’s nutritional environment contains milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat products. Ability to make dietary accommodations may be limited. Potential exposure to food borne allergens; and
• Employees may be required for this role to work upon our humanitarian vessel for up to 30 consecutive days. The vessel’s working environment entails performing in conditions inherent to vessel travel, including but not limited to: steep and narrow stairs and living spaces, close quarters including cohabitation, sharp surfaces, metal gangways and ladders, heavy doors, European-type plugs and wiring (220-240v, 60Hz) which cannot support all American appliances, in addition to bright and flashing lights, loud noises, nuts and shellfish exposure, poor weather, movements which can trigger motion sickness, and / or limited access to hospital / definitive care. This setting involves various sea conditions, including but not limited to rough seas, adverse weather, and potential for sea sickness.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for 50% of the time;
• Ability to regularly engage in manual dexterity; 
• [FOR VESSEL] Essential physical requirements (depending on job description requirements) may also include climbing, balancing, reaching or stretching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; 
• Ability to frequently carry materials  weighing up to 20 pounds for various needs;
• Ability to observe details at a close range (within a few feet of the observer), and the ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand (must also be able to exchange accurate information in these situations); 
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions.  It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at GSD’s discretion.

Work Authorization Requirements: GSD participates in E-verify, an internet-based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Our participation in E-Verify is in compliance with federal law and is limited to the use of E-Verify for employment eligibility verification only. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. 

BENEFITS: 

You'll get..

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Premiums 100% covered by GSD for employee, employee spouse, employee family
• Basic Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability Insurance: Fully covered by GSD
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Up to $4,000 in total annually for employee 2 or more family members
• Voluntary Life Insurance: Options available at reasonable group rates
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): All employees are eligible for an annual accrual (up to 5 weeks of PTO per year) 
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks paid by GSD 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Career Development Opportunities 
• 401(k): GSD will match up to 6% of base salary for all employees ages 21 . Employees are eligible to begin contributing after 1 pay cycle, and the company match will go into effect immediately after employee begins contributing 
• Additional Perks! 

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.

Salary : $4,000 - $135,000