Executive Managing Director - Aviation & Transportation #0610

Our client, a well-funded organization in a regulated sector, is launching a new commercial aviation operation and seeking a leader to build the enterprise from the ground up. This position offers the chance to shape the foundational elements of an emerging business.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in aviation regulation, strong operational leadership capabilities, and an entrepreneurial spirit suited to navigating a dynamic, high-pressure startup landscape.

Certification & Regulatory Oversight

• Build relationships with key regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to support operational readiness
• Lead FAA certification and regulatory approval processes, ensuring full compliance with federal aviation standards
• Establish and maintain robust safety, compliance, and operational frameworks that meet or exceed regulatory requirements
• Serve as the primary executive liaison with FAA regulators and other government agencies, ensuring alignment and responsiveness throughout all regulatory milestones

Team Building & Organizational Development

• Set performance culture, decision-making cadence, and accountability standards from day one
• Define organizational structure, roles, accountabilities, and reporting relationships to support regulatory approval and operational scale
• Foster a high-trust, high-performance culture aligned with both safety excellence and brand aspirations
• Recruit, hire, and lead the foundational executive team across operations, safety, compliance, maintenance, and finance functions

Strategic Operations & Implementation

• Develop scalable standard operating procedures (SOPs), governance structures, and systems to support future expansion
• Oversee strategy, operational partnerships, vendor relationships, and readiness milestones
• Define and execute the operational roadmap from planning through launch and early-stage growth
• Balance service delivery with disciplined cost management and uncompromising safety standards

Customer Experience, Brand & Market Strategy

• Ensure operational delivery consistently reflects the positioning and brand promise
• Partner with key stakeholders to shape service standards, service philosophy, and customer experience standards
• Position the business competitively within the travel market
• Integrate service excellence into operational processes, training programs, and frontline accountability

Investor & Board Engagement

• Maintain transparency and accountability in all board and investor communications

• Present operational progress, regulatory milestones, and financial performance to investors and stakeholders

• Participate in fundraising efforts and represent the company's vision and capability to current and prospective investors

• Serve as the senior executive interface with the Board of Directors, providing strategic updates and seeking guidance on key decisions

• Proven experience overseeing organizational development and launch activities, including team formation, systems development, and regulatory processes

• Exceptional judgment and credibility in navigating complex regulatory environments and building trust with government agencies

• Deep commercial aviation regulatory experience, including significant involvement in FAA certification processes

• Strategic and operational versatility: able to think big-picture while driving detailed execution

• High credibility across diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, operational staff, board members, and investors

• Ability to operate effectively in complex, high-ambiguity settings with changing priorities

• Willingness to travel extensively and relocate as operational needs require

• Strong command of FAA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and compliance frameworks applicable to commercial aviation operations

• Proven executive leadership as CEO, President, COO, VP Operations, or General Manager in aviation or similarly regulated, safety-critical industries

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating brand vision with operational execution, ensuring service delivery aligns with market positioning

• Background in aviation or service industries with a focus on customer experience and brand differentiation

• Prior experience as CEO, President, or COO with ultimate P&L and operational accountability

• Direct leadership experience in FAA certification processes for aviation operations

• Experience in private aviation, charter operations, or emerging aviation business models

• Investor-facing leadership experience, including fundraising, stakeholder management, and articulating vision to financial backers

• Experience across multi-site or multi-certificate operating environments is highly valued

• Track record in scaling organizations from startup to mature operational phases

• Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution

• Base Salary: $350,000 – $425,000 annually + Performance-Based Compensation

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (employee and family coverage)

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.

Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.

Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.

Privacy and Pay Equity:

California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.

State-Specific Information:

Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.

Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles. 

Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.