Keller Executive Search · 6 hours ago
Executive Managing Director - Aviation Platform
United States
Full-time
Remote
Director/Executive
$350K/yr - $425K/yrKeller Executive Search is representing a well-capitalized company in the regulated aviation industry that is in the early stages of building a new commercial aviation operating venture. The role involves leading FAA certification processes, building a foundational executive team, and defining operational strategies to ensure compliance and operational readiness.
Staffing & Recruiting
Responsibilities
Lead FAA certification and regulatory approval processes, ensuring full compliance with federal aviation standards
Serve as the primary executive liaison with FAA regulators and other government agencies, ensuring alignment and responsiveness throughout all regulatory milestones
Establish and maintain robust safety, compliance, and operational frameworks that meet or exceed regulatory requirements
Build relationships with key regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to support operational readiness
Recruit, hire, and lead the foundational executive team across operations, safety, compliance, maintenance, and finance functions
Define organizational structure, roles, accountabilities, and reporting relationships to support regulatory approval and operational scale
Set performance culture, decision-making cadence, and accountability standards from day one
Foster a high-trust, high-performance culture aligned with both safety excellence and brand aspirations
Define and execute the operational roadmap from planning through launch and early-stage growth
Develop scalable standard operating procedures (SOPs), governance structures, and systems to support future expansion
Balance service delivery with disciplined cost management and uncompromising safety standards
Oversee strategy, operational partnerships, vendor relationships, and readiness milestones
Partner with key stakeholders to shape service standards, service philosophy, and customer experience standards
Ensure operational delivery consistently reflects the positioning and brand promise
Integrate service excellence into operational processes, training programs, and frontline accountability
Position the business competitively within the travel market
Serve as the senior executive interface with the Board of Directors, providing strategic updates and seeking guidance on key decisions
Present operational progress, regulatory milestones, and financial performance to investors and stakeholders
Participate in fundraising efforts and represent the company's vision and capability to current and prospective investors
Maintain transparency and accountability in all board and investor communications
Qualification
Required
Deep commercial aviation regulatory experience, including significant involvement in FAA certification processes
Proven executive leadership as CEO, President, COO, VP Operations, or General Manager in aviation or similarly regulated, safety-critical industries
Proven experience overseeing organizational development and launch activities, including team formation, systems development, and regulatory processes
Strong command of FAA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and compliance frameworks applicable to commercial aviation operations
Exceptional judgment and credibility in navigating complex regulatory environments and building trust with government agencies
Ability to operate effectively in complex, high-ambiguity settings with changing priorities
High credibility across diverse stakeholder groups, including technical teams, operational staff, board members, and investors
Strategic and operational versatility: able to think big-picture while driving detailed execution
Willingness to travel extensively and relocate as operational needs require
Preferred
Direct leadership experience in FAA certification processes for aviation operations
Background in aviation or service industries with a focus on customer experience and brand differentiation
Experience in private aviation, charter operations, or emerging aviation business models
Experience integrating brand vision with operational execution, ensuring service delivery aligns with market positioning
Investor-facing leadership experience, including fundraising, stakeholder management, and articulating vision to financial backers
Track record in scaling organizations from startup to mature operational phases
Prior experience as CEO, President, or COO with ultimate P&L and operational accountability
Experience across multi-site or multi-certificate operating environments is highly valued
Benefits
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (employee and family coverage)
401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy
Company
Keller Executive Search
Keller Executive Search is a boutique executive recruitment and advisory firm dedicated to connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations worldwide.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase