Manager, Aerial Operations

Airspace Access & Regulatory Coordination

• Serve as the lead LA28 point of contact with local authorities, civil aviation regulators, airport and heliport management, and public safety agencies to secure airspace permissions and operational clearances for all planned aerial activities (helicopters, drones, fixed-wing).
• Navigate city, regional, and federal requirements, to secure specific flight paths needed for official Games coverage.
• Support contract negotiations for hangar space, office and storage facilities, and coordinate payment of operational fees related to aviation logistics.

Operational Planning & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain the Master Aerial Operations Schedule, ensuring all aerial missions align with Games-time event schedules and OBS broadcast needs.
• Liaise with the LA28 Aerial Task Force, aviation providers, and cross-functional Games operations teams to integrate aerial plans with broader security and logistical frameworks.
• Regularly consult with OBS and other broadcast partners to communicate restrictions, finalize access details, and adapt plans based on changing local conditions.

Games-time Responsibilities

• Work in the Master Control Room as the main LA28 coordinator for aerial operations, working side-by-by OBS, aviation reps, and security agencies for real-time monitoring and decision making.
• Oversee the execution of scheduled aerial coverage for all priority events e.g., ceremonies, competitions, flybys
• Maintain strong channels of communication to manage aircraft access, resolve incidents, and ensure operational safety in a high-security, restricted airspace environment.
• Act as the operational connection between LA28, OBS, and all relevant local/federal agencies throughout Games-time, ensuring timely sharing of flight status, incident updates, and airspace changes.
• Cook up risk management responses for aerial operations, escalating safety or compliance issues to relevant agencies and LA28 leadership as needed

Background and Requirements

• Bachelors degree or minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience, preferably with 7+ years of experience supporting large-scale event planning, broadcast operations, or aviation coordination
• Experience with regulatory and compliance processes and timelines
• Experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders and proven success at building excellent working relationships
• Experience working across multiple functional areas and with third parties

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $88,000-$115,000. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.