Director Charter Operations

Sun Country Airlines 2021 • Minneapolis, MN

34d • $110,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Charter Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational excellence of the Charter Operations department. This role partners closely with the Schedule Development and Charter Sourcing team to oversee planning, execution, and continuous improvement of charter flights, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and optimization of operational performance. The Director, Charter Operations oversees a team of managers and agents, collaborates closely with internal and external stakeholders, and drives initiatives to optimize charter services and support overall company growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, or related field; or related experience in lieu of degree
• 7+ years of experience in airline operations
• 3+ years of experience in a leadership role focused on charter or non-scheduled services
• 5+ years of management/supervisor experience
• Deep knowledge of FAA Part 91, 117, and 121 regulations
• Thorough understanding of international requirements to include overflight permitting and international clearances related to charter operations
• Proven track record in managing complex operations and delivering customer-focused solutions
• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel as needed
• Previous SOC experience

Nice To Haves

• FAA Commercial Pilot License or Dispatcher Certificate
• Familiarity with flight scheduling systems (e.g., Sabre, AIMS)
• Demonstrated success in Charter Sales and Charter Planning

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long-term strategic plan for Charter Operations, aligning departmental goals with broader company objectives
• Partner with the Charter Sales/Schedule Development teams to provide strategic leadership and support for all charter flight operations, including flight scheduling, real-time coordination and execution, client management, and post-flight review
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine operational policies, procedures, structured frameworks, and best practices to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant charter operations and to guide operational decisions
• Ensure all charter flights operate safely, punctually, and cost-effectively, while upholding high customer satisfaction standards during day-of operations
• Serve as the primary liaison between Charter Operations and other departments, such as Charter Sales, Maintenance, Flight Operations, Inflight, Ground Ops, Security, Dispatch and SOC, to ensure a seamless and high-quality travel experience for all charter clients
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, charter brokers, government agencies, and other external partners to ensure exceptional service delivery
• Maintain a deep understanding of client contracts to ensure service delivery meets or exceeds contractual obligations and expectations, and ensure that information is cascaded to Charter Operations team
• Oversee regulatory compliance with FAA, ICAO, CBP, and other relevant authorities; partner with Safety and Compliance teams to maintain operational excellence and safety standards
• Lead cost reduction initiatives by analyzing operational data, optimizing resource allocation, and making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions
• Monitor KPIs and financial metrics to identify opportunities for improvement, growth, and efficiency; Partner with Charter Sales/Schedule Development to drive initiatives to improve profitability and customer experience
• Lead the development and implementation of dashboards and reporting tools to support data-driven decision making
• Contribute to fleet utilization, network planning, and resource allocation to maximize charter service effectiveness
• Ensure 24x7 support coverage for charter flight execution and issue resolution
• Lead and mentor managers, supervisors, and coordinators, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and enabling teams to proactively resolve issues to maintain operational excellence and customer satisfaction
• Oversee recruitment and training and design and deliver upskilling programs for frontline Charter Operations staff, equipping them to navigate complex decision-making scenarios and adapt to evolving business needs

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package including dental and vision 
• PPO and high-deductible health plans 
• Health savings account and Flexible Spending Account 
• Starting day one free standby and discounted travel privileges for employees, family, & friends
• 401(k) match
• Paid Time Off 
• Paid holidays 
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program including counseling for employees and their family 
• Fitness incentive and Stop Smoking Support 

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees