Sr. Certification Operations Manager

About the Company

The hiring organization is seeking a full-time Sr. Certification Operations Manager in the United States.

About the Role

The Sr. Certification Operations Manager serves as a strategic and operational partner to the Head of Product Certification, translating priorities into action, administering the certification program's operational backbone, and leading a small team responsible for program metrics, regulatory agency correspondence, and project records. This role is not technical or a certification‑authority position; it focuses on establishing systems, structures, and cross‑functional alignment that enable technical leaders and teams to perform at their highest level.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic and operational extension of the Head of Product Certification, translating priorities into clear ownership, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Establish and manage operating rhythms, including leadership meetings, milestone reviews, and action tracking, to maintain organizational alignment and accountability.
• Maintain visibility into top organizational priorities, risks, and decisions, elevating them at the appropriate time.
• Manage a small team of approximately two direct reports responsible for certification program administration.
• Own program metrics and dashboards reflecting real‑time certification status, including certification basis progress, means‑of‑compliance status, and project‑specific milestones.
• Manage the official communication record between the organization and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as applicable foreign certification authorities.
• Maintain organized, audit‑ready certification project file records and produce regular program‑progress reporting.
• Identify and resolve organizational barriers, such as process, resource, or communication gaps, taking ownership of cross‑functional issues without a clear owner.
• Drive operational alignment between Product Certification and partner teams across Engineering, Flight Test, Safety, Program Management, and related departments.
• Prepare executive‑level briefings for the Head of Product Certification and ensure commitments from key meetings are tracked to completion.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership, operations, or program management experience in complex, fast‑moving organizations.
• Demonstrated success as a Chief of Staff, senior operations leader, or program/organizational leader driving execution across multiple teams.
• Experience managing a team and developing direct reports.
• Experience building performance management systems, dashboards, and operating rhythms that drive measurable execution.
• Strong track record of resolving cross‑functional barriers and influencing without direct authority.
• Exceptional ability to organize complex work, synthesize information, and operate with sound judgment amid ambiguity.
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive‑presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel between organization locations as needed.

Required Skills

• Progressive leadership, operations, or program management experience in complex, fast‑moving organizations.
• Chief of Staff, senior operations leader, or program/organizational leader experience driving execution across multiple teams.
• Team management and direct report development.
• Building performance management systems, dashboards, and operating rhythms.
• Resolving cross‑functional barriers and influencing without direct authority.
• Organizing complex work and synthesizing information.
• Written, verbal, and executive‑presentation communication.
• Ability and willingness to travel between organization locations as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with regulatory correspondence, records administration, or compliance documentation (e.g., FAA, EASA).
• Advanced degree in leadership, organizational development, business administration, or a related field.

Pay

Base Salary Range: $165,900 – $207,400 per year. Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, within a pay‑for‑performance culture.

Employment Type: Full time

Location: United States