Flight Operations Manager

Cirrus Aircraft’s Mission is to deliver an aviation experience that is the pinnacle of innovation, quality, and safety to our customers. Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet™, the world’s first single engine Personal Jet and recipient of the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed nine million hours and over 250 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS® as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. Find out more at .

Cirrus offers a competitive benefits package and is dedicated to the advancement of general aviation. The Cirrus Flying Club offers employees and their family members the unique opportunity to obtain their private pilot’s license in the comfort of a Cirrus or rent a Cirrus for an impromptu adventure at a greatly reduced rate.  We are committed to investing in the future of our employees and company by offering professional development and career progression opportunities and we engage employees by offering several employee and family events throughout the year, as well as the opportunity to take part in activity clubs and community events.

Job Summary:

The Flight Operations Manager’s primary responsibility is to develop and lead a world class flight training branch at Cirrus Aircraft’s latest Factory Training facility in McKinney, Texas. With emphasis on quality flight training, world-class customer service, flight safety and standardization, the Flight Training Manager will be responsible to establish and lead a team of highly capable flight instructors and pilots.  The Flight Operations Manager will report to the Managing Director of the facility and will assist in the development of business plans, annual budget and revenue forecast and establishing resource requirements. Flight training managerial experience along with relevant flight instruction and pilot experience is required.

 Supervisory Responsibility: 

• Flight Instructors (SR/SF)
• Corporate Pilots (SR/SF) 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Establish, guide and empower a team of flight instructors and pilots to meet departmental goals: Driving an environment of constant improvement, exemplary customer service, flexibility to resolving new problems, and uniting a team to achieve set goals and deliverables in accordance with Cirrus Aircraft’s core values and mission statement.
• Manage and oversee all flight training and operations for the McKinney location, ensuring the smooth day to day execution of all missions.
• Manage and responsible for McKinney Flight Operations budget: making timely financial decisions that improves Cirrus Aircraft’s interests and strengthens customer relationships. To include, auditing monthly spending, and ensuring stipulated revenue goals are met.
• Effectively work with other Cirrus Aircraft departments to meet and surpass customer expectations and department and company goals and objectives.
• Resolve flight training and corporate travel challenges and or escalate to Director of Flight Operations or another applicable leader as necessary.
• Work closely with Director of Flight Operations, Content Development and Flight Training Department to ensure all processes, procedures, materials, and courseware are up to date, accurate, and effective.
• Ensure safety of flight for the McKinney location in compliance with the Flight Operations Manual, FAA regulations, and guidance from the Chief Pilot.
• Act as pilot in command and flight instructor in all models of Cirrus aircraft in accordance with Cirrus Aircraft’s Flight Operations manual and applicable regulations.

 Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Education and/or Experience:

• Two years of recent flight training & operations management in the military, part 142/141 or standardized 61 flight school including the direct oversight of flight training staff - required
• Recent teaching experience in aircraft - required
• Flight experience in IFR, congested airspace, mountain flying, extensive IMC, and night experience - required
• Teaching experience in Cirrus SR2X or SF50 model aircraft - preferred
• Recent teaching experience in advanced General Aviation Glass Cockpit - preferred
• 3000 hours of total flight time - preferred
• 2000 hours acting as instructor - preferred
• 500 hours CSIP - preferred
• Advanced FTD/Full Flight Simulator experience - preferred

 Demonstrated Proficiencies/Skills/Abilities: 

• Prior position as a supervisor of pilots or instructors - required
• Strong management, customer service and interpersonal skills - required
• Ability to effectively work with other departments and outside vendors
• Willingness to travel domestically or internationally, In of support Cirrus Aircrafts’ Flight Operations Department – required

Certificate or Licensures: 

• FAA Commercial Pilot License required
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor w/ Instrument (CFII) required
• FAA 1st or 2nd class medical required

Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting.
• Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options.
• Free Health Tracking: With rewards for meeting health goals.
• Generous PTO: 160 hours accrued within the first year.
• Employee Referral Bonus: For referring talented candidates.
• Career Development: Tuition reimbursement and professional growth opportunities.
• Exclusive Discounts: Access to partner and marketplace discounts.
• Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations.

These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  Overtime hours may be required.

 This opportunity is located in McKinney, Texas. Just 30 miles north of downtown Dallas, McKinney is a picturesque city with a small-town feel.  Beautiful tree-lined streets, diverse residential neighborhoods, outstanding educational opportunities, a robust business environment, a charming historic downtown and a strong sense of community make McKinney truly stand out. The city's “Unique by Nature” brand is more than a tagline, it embodies the community's willingness to work together to make McKinney a great place to be. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, residents, businesses and visitors show that they strongly embrace the community's vision and strong overall quality of life.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.