Head of Aviation Operations
Group Overview
Special Air Missions Group - US (SAM - US) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s ISR, Special Mobility, and Aerial Firefighting (AFF) capabilities. SAM oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialized aviation operations. It manages fleet maintenance, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships to enhance mission effectiveness. By consolidating expertise and infrastructure, SAM - US ensures Metrea’s airborne capabilities remain adaptable and mission-ready across dynamic operational environments
Position Summary
Reporting to the Head of Special Air Missions (US), the Head of Aviation Operations (US) leads the Aviation Operations (US) Capability Area and serves as its accountable manager. This leader is accountable for integrating and assuring the compliant, safe, reliable, effective, efficient, and evolvable (CSRE³) conduct of aviation operations in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and the Metrea’s Management System. The role is also accountable for the Special Mission Aviation function, which currently operates as a Part 135 certificate holder. This role will be accountable for growing the Special Mission Aviation function into a global Special Mission Aviation capability fully aligned with Metrea’s delivery of defense effects-as-a-service.
The Head of Aviation Operations (US) ensures the Capability Area has the management structure, competent personnel, resources, standards, manuals, systems, and independent safety oversight necessary to conduct worldwide deployed aviation operations compliantly and safely. The role promotes safety policy, develops a strong safety culture, and ensures continuous improvement across the operating system.
The Head of Aviation Operations (US) synchronizes Flight Operations, Crew Training, Safety, Security, and Compliance functions across the Capability Area; connects Aviation Operations (US) with the Maintenance (US) and Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization (US) Capability Areas; and serves as the primary Aviation Operations (US) interface with File Underwriters, File Sponsors, Support Groups, and Market Groups. The role translates Group direction into an integrated operating model, enables functional leaders to execute their responsibilities, and maintains clear accountability for operational performance, risk, readiness, and regulatory assurance.
What You'll Do
Serve as accountable manager for the Aviation Operations (US) Capability Area, ensuring the safe conduct of operations in accordance with applicable FAA, U.S. Government, international, host-nation, and Metrea requirements
Establish and maintain a suitable management structure with clear authorities, accountabilities, and interfaces across Flight Operations, Crew Training, Safety, Security, and Compliance
Ensure the Capability Area has sufficient suitably experienced, qualified, and competent personnel, as well as the financial, technical, and operational resources required to meet current and planned commitments
Set, maintain, and continuously improve standards for Flight Operations, Crew Training, Safety, Security, and Compliance across worldwide deployed activities
Implement and oversee the Safety Management System, protect the Safety Manager’s independence from undue influence, promote the safety policy, and ensure all personnel understand their safety responsibilities
Establish and regularly review safety performance indicators and targets, operational risk, compliance findings, readiness measures, and corrective actions; intervene when performance falls below required standards
Hold key functional leaders accountable for satisfactorily carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with approved manuals, the applicable regulatory framework, and Capability Area objectives
Synchronize Aviation Operations (US) with Maintenance (US) and Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization (US) leadership to align operational priorities
Serve as the primary Aviation Operations (US) interface with File Underwriters, File Sponsors, Support Groups, and Market Groups, integrating program requirements, operational commitments, enterprise support, and market priorities into executable operational plans
Translate Group strategy into Capability Area priorities, operating plans, budgets, workforce plans, objectives, key results, and targets; provide decision support and transparent reporting to the Head of Special Air Missions (US)
Support the development and integration of new aircraft, mission systems, contracts, and capabilities, ensuring changes are properly resourced, assessed, documented, and trained
Lead the Special Mission Aviation function, assuring the performance of its current Part 135 operations while defining and executing the roadmap, operating model, partnerships, approvals, resources, and capabilities required to scale it into a global Special Mission Aviation function aligned with delivering defense effects-as-a-service
Build and develop a high-performing leadership team and a culture rooted in humility and aligned with Metrea’s Firmware attributes: Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver
What You Bring
Senior leadership experience in complex commercial, government-contracted, special-mission, or defense operations, with demonstrated accountability for compliant and safe operational delivery
Prior experience as an FAA accountable executive or equivalent accountable manager strongly preferred
Deep working knowledge of applicable FAA regulations and operational approval frameworks, including hands-on experience with Part 135 operations; familiarity with ICAO standards, U.S. Government oversight, and international or host-nation operating requirements
Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate Flight Operations, Crew Training, Safety, Security, and Compliance functions while preserving appropriate independence, authorities, and lines of assurance
Experience establishing management systems, operational standards, safety performance measures, governance, and continuous-improvement practices for globally deployed aviation operations
Proven success leading leaders, building capable teams, managing budgets and resources, and delivering measurable operational, safety, and readiness outcomes
Extensive experience preferred, particularly in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, or Special Mission Aviation
Experience leading charter or Special Mission Aviation operations and developing them into scalable, internationally deployable capabilities; demonstrated ability to translate defense customer needs into an executable aviation operating model strongly preferred
Ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, customers, partners, suppliers, Support Groups, and Market Groups, in a dynamically hierarchical environment
Strong judgment, critical thinking, systems thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills; comfortable making risk-informed decisions amid complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities
Highly organized, reliable, emotionally intelligent, intellectually humble, and able to challenge assumptions constructively
Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aviation Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent senior operational aviation experience
Current U.S. Passport, ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. security clearance, and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including on short notice and in support of deployed operations
Benefits
Comprehensive medical plan options
HSA/FSA accounts
Dental and vision coverage
6% employer 401(k) match
Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
Generous PTO
Life and disability insurance
Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
AD&D Coverage
Pet Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub
Work Authorization / Security Clearance
Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must be a U.S. citizen
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance required at time of hire, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment
AAP/EEO Statement
This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require.
Work Environment
This job operates within a combination of office, hangar, and deployed settings.
Travel
20%
Base Pay Range
The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.
Pay Range
$235,000—$260,000 USD