Chief Pilot

About the role

The Chief Pilot oversees flight operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with aviation regulations and company policies. This role involves leading pilots, flight attendants, and Assistant Chief Pilots, managing budgets, and aligning aviation operations with corporate goals.

Responsibilities

• Safety and Regulatory Compliance
• Promote and sustain a culture of safety within the aviation department.
• Ensure all flight operations comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, company policies, the Aviation Operations Manual, standard operating procedures, and other relevant authorities.
• Lead and support Safety Management System initiatives, risk management practices, and incident, accident, hazard, and occurrence reporting processes.
• Participate in the Emergency Response Plan as a member of the Aviation Huddle Group.
• Flight Operations Leadership
• Oversee and manage all flight operations to ensure safety, efficiency, service, and compliance with company policies and aviation regulations.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Aviation and senior management to align aviation operations with corporate goals and objectives.
• Supervise and manage Assistant Chief Pilots.
• Facilitate and support positive communication channels across the flight department.
• Training and Crew Development
• Recruit, train, supervise, coach, and develop pilots and flight attendants.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching, training, and development.
• Ensure all pilots maintain required certifications, qualifications, training records, and operational readiness.
• Manage and monitor the development, implementation, and effectiveness of approved flight crew training programs.
• Strengthen leadership continuity, pilot onboarding, and professional development across the flight department.
• Operational Excellence and Precision
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve standard operating procedures for flight operations.
• Stay current on industry trends, advancements, and best practices, recommending and implementing changes to enhance operational safety and efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Scheduling Team in assigning crews and troubleshooting crew changes when flight operations dictate.
• Coordinate with Scheduling, Maintenance, and flight operations stakeholders to support efficient and reliable aircraft utilization.
• Drive consistency, discipline, attention to detail, and sound operational decision-making across flight operations.
• Customer Service and Passenger Experience
• Ensure a high level of customer service for corporate clients, passengers, and internal stakeholders.
• Address and resolve issues or concerns related to flight operations in a timely, professional, and service-oriented manner.
• Foster a safe, seamless, discreet, and professional passenger experience.
• Build trust with internal customers, passengers, company leadership, and cross-functional partners.
• Administrative and Leadership Support
• Manage the pilot training budget and ensure training investments support operational readiness and compliance.
• Optimize resource allocation to support cost-effective, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Maintain vendor contracts necessary for flight operations.
• Maintain accurate operational records, pilot records, training documentation, and required compliance documentation.
• Support audits, inspections, regulatory reviews, internal projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Role Model and Professional Standards
• Set the standard for professionalism, safety, precision, accountability, and service throughout the flight department.
• Lead by example and consistently reinforce expectations for disciplined, compliant, and ethical operations.
• Model integrity, preparation, respect, and sound judgment in interactions with passengers, peers, flight crews, company leadership, and external partners.

Qualifications

• Current FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
• Minimum 5,000 total flight hours, including 3,000 hours as Pilot-in-Command.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in aviation operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Qualified in accordance with the Constellation Leasing LLC training program to act as Pilot-in-Command on one of the aircraft types.
• Ability to be away from home for extended periods of time to support domestic and international operations.
• Valid U.S. Passport and valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to reside within one hour of Rochester International Airport (KROC).
• Ability to successfully complete background investigation and pre-employment drug screening.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Company Operations Manual, training manuals, standard operating procedures, company check pilot manual if applicable, and the provisions of civil aviation regulations and standards necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Must have attended approved simulator training in the jet aircraft the pilot is type rated in within the previous 12 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, associate degree in Aviation Management, or NBAA Certified Aviation Manager certification.
• Gulfstream G280 and/or GVII type rating(s) preferred.
• International Flight experience preferred.
• Experience in IS-BAO and/or Safety Management System (SMS) environments preferred.
• Previous flight instruction experience and/or possession of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate preferred.

Benefits

The benefits package includes paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible employees.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $285,500.00 - $386,200.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future.

Schedule

The schedule for this role is full-time.