Program Manager (Center)

About the role

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems, and displays to commercial, government, and military organizations. The Program Manager’s primary role is to effectively manage and supervise a team of certified instructors within the assigned program(s), ensuring delivery of training meets or exceeds client and customer needs. The Program Manager is also responsible for development, modification, maintenance, and delivery of program course material and assists in the certification of flight training devices, as applicable, to support training delivery.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily training and checking activities of instructors, including scheduling, schedule optimization, staffing, leave/time-off requests, team meetings, and resolving client/instructor conflicts using management discretion and Company policy.
• Manage program instructors’ performance through feedback, coaching, observations, performance appraisals, and performance improvement plans.
• Hold instructors accountable to comply with FlightSafety policies and procedures, recommending disciplinary action when necessary.
• Recommend annual merit-based salary changes for instructors within budget parameters.
• Support the Scheduling Specialist in assigning instructors to customer training events and ensuring schedule stability.
• Review program staffing and recommend changes based on personnel and customer demand.
• Review qualifications, interview, and evaluate instructor candidates for hire; recommend hiring decisions.
• Evaluate and approve instructors for certification of program-required training activities in partnership with the Director of Standards (DOS)/Director of Maintenance Standards (DOMS).
• Educate and influence instructors on effective training delivery methods and technology use.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of program aircraft, OEM, courseware, training documentation, regulatory developments, and key customers.
• Liaise between FlightSafety and customer contacts to address training needs and expectations, making real-time discretionary decisions.
• Maintain instructor qualifications in accordance with FlightSafety’s Quality Management System (QMS) and regulatory requirements.
• Manage development, implementation, modification, and sustainment of courseware, training documentation, and training devices.
• Assist the Manager of Flight Training Devices (MFTD) in validating and resolving Flight Training Device (FTD) discrepancies.
• Analyze and report on program projections/plans, keeping leadership apprised of issues or updates.

Requirements

• One of the following educational/experience qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree (preferred, especially in business or aviation management).
  • Three (3) years’ related experience and/or training.
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience in aviation or training/education.
• Current pilot and instructor certificates and ratings necessary for all aircraft within the assigned program (for Maintenance PMs, A&P Mechanic License is preferred).
• Minimum of six (6) months’ work experience in a teaching/training environment (experience with adult learners preferred).
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the program field as a pilot, aircraft maintenance technician, or cabin safety function.
• Previous management experience preferred.

Skills

• Proven ability in people management; resourceful problem-solver.
• Results-oriented with a high drive to achieve objectives and standards.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Knowledge of aviation terminology as specified by FAA/NAA, EASA, or other applicable regulatory authorities.
• Experience with scheduling concepts and/or scheduling software.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organization and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with various levels of management.
• Ability to adapt rapidly to changes in a fast-paced work environment.
• Service-oriented with the ability to respond to diverse client personalities.
• General knowledge of MS Office Suite, TMS Systems, CRM, and iOS.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Routine use of hands for typing, instrument operation, and touchscreen devices.
• Communication via verbal and written methods (email, documents).
• Range of body motion for training activities, including:
  • Operating rudder controls and anti-torque with both feet in simulators.
  • Manipulating controls within the simulator from the instructor’s chair.
  • Entering/exiting simulators via stairs or ramps.
• Vision abilities: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus for monitors, documents, and reference materials.
• Low to moderate noise levels in the work environment.

FlightSafety provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform essential job functions.