Dean, College of Aeronautics

Florida Institute of Technology•Melbourne, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Florida Tech seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative Dean to lead the success, growth, and future of the College of Aeronautics. Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide strategic leadership across academic programs, the Florida Tech Flight School, flight operations, research, faculty development, student success initiatives, fundraising, and industry partnerships. The successful candidate will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, leading a multidisciplinary faculty and professional staff while fostering innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening aviation and aerospace partnerships, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, accreditation, and regulatory compliance across both academic and flight operations.

Requirements

An earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution in aeronautics, aviation, aerospace, engineering, human factors, management, or a closely related discipline.
Scholarly, professional, practice-based, and service achievements meriting appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within the College of Aeronautics.
A distinguished record of academic, professional, and administrative accomplishment.
Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, including program-level, departmental, collegiate, or university-level strategic planning and decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Progressive academic leadership experience, with prior service as a dean, associate dean, department chair, director of flight operations, or comparable leadership role strongly preferred.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and consensus-building skills.
Proven success in fundraising, external partnership development, and alumni engagement.
Experience collaborating with industry, government agencies, military partners, and international aviation organizations.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge in aviation accreditation, safety, and regulatory environments, including FAA-related programs, compliance frameworks, flight education, as well as flight operations and flightline management.
Record of managing faculty and successful in faculty recruitment, retention, and mentoring.
Experience with emerging technologies, future air mobility, unmanned systems, spaceflight interfaces, and innovation ecosystems.
Professional aviation credentials, flight experience, flight line management and maintenance or related certifications.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic vision and leadership for the College of Aeronautics.
Oversee curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Ensure academic quality, innovation, and alignment with workforce and industry needs.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the college and across Florida Tech.
Ensure programs maintain appropriate academic accreditations and certifications.
Provide direct supervisory oversight of the Florida Tech Flight School, including its leadership, organizational structure, and alignment with the academic mission of the College of Aeronautics.
Lead recruitment, retention, evaluation, and professional development of faculty and staff.
Conduct annual performance reviews and support faculty promotion and tenure processes.
Facilitate mentoring and leadership development for junior and mid-career faculty.
Promote collegial, inclusive, and high-performing academic culture.
Champion applied research, scholarship, and professional practice aligned with aviation and aerospace priorities.
Support faculty in securing external funding and developing industry-supported initiatives.
Promote undergraduate and graduate student engagement in applied research, safety, and operational projects.
Encourage innovation, technology adoption, and experiential learning opportunities.
Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of the Florida Tech Flight School, including academic alignment, operational performance, and safety culture.
Ensure excellence in Safety Management Systems (SMS) and continuous improvement of flight training, simulation, and operational infrastructure.
Ensure full compliance with FAA regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional risk-management requirements.
Oversee alignment of flight training capacity, fleet planning, staffing, and instructional quality with enrollment and academic priorities.
Ensure the Flight School’s strategic, financial, and operational integration with college-wide planning, enrollment management, academic outcomes, and long-term sustainability.
Manage college budget, resources, and enrollment planning effectively.
Oversee flight school financial performance, fleet acquisition and lifecycle planning, facilities, and capital initiatives in coordination with university leadership.
Collaborate with university advancement to develop and implement fundraising strategies.
Maintain a portfolio of donors and corporate partners in aviation and aerospace sectors.
Serve as the chief representative of the College of Aeronautics to external constituencies.
Build and sustain strong relationships with aviation and aerospace industry partners, government agencies, alumni, and professional organizations.
Enhance student recruitment, retention, and post-graduate placement efforts.
Engage in professional and continuing education initiatives aligned with industry needs.