Senior Director, Academy Services

United Aviate Academy•Goodyear, AZ

About The Position

Join the team at United Aviate Academy (UAA) and help shape the next generation of aviators through safety, innovation, and excellence. If you’re passionate about aviation and ready to make an impact in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply. Position Summary The Senior Director of Academy Services is a strategic leadership position responsible for overseeing multiple critical operational areas within the flight school, including Student Services, Facilities, Security and Marketing & Communications. This role ensures an exceptional student experience while maintaining safe, secure, and well-maintained facilities, and effective marketing and communications strategies to support enrollment and brand reputation. The position requires a dynamic leader who can integrate student support services, facility operations, security protocols, and marketing initiatives to advance the school’s mission and growth objectives.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, student services, or related fields
5+ years of senior management experience with multi-functional team oversight
Demonstrated expertise in recruitment/admissions, student services, facilities management, security operations, and/or marketing/communications
Proven track record of strategic planning and budget management
Strong knowledge of safety and security regulations, preferably in aviation settings
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience
Proven problem-solving and information analysis skills.
Independent decision-making skills.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
Outstanding attention to detail, organizational skills, valuing compliance & ethical behavior, and adhering to company policies.
Must have good people and customer service experience skills.
Must have exceptional written and oral communication skills and be able to interact with a wide variety of people.
Positive attitude, with a willingness to learn new responsibilities, adapt to change, collaborate as a team-player, and has a passion for continuous improvement.
Strongly motivated with excellent time management and organizational skills.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
High degree of interpersonal skill and tact to establish and maintain effective working professional relationships.
Strongly service oriented with a professional mentality.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Commitment to the company culture as a subsidiary of United Airlines and valuing Core4.

Nice To Haves

Aviation & Training Industry Expertise
Experience in aviation, higher education, or training environments strongly preferred
Direct experience in Part 141 Flight School
Knowledge of FAA regulations and aviation safety management systems (SMS)
Background in collegiate aviation programs or professional pilot training
Student Services & Enrollment Management
Track record of improving student retention rates and satisfaction scores
Experience with student lifecycle management from recruitment through graduation
Familiarity with career services and job placement for aviation graduates
Facilities & Operations Leadership
Experience with capital projects and facility expansion and improvement initiatives
Security & Risk Management
Key responsibility is leading the Security Manager on campus initiatives related to deterrence, emergency response, and building positive relationships with the campus community
Crisis management and emergency response planning experience
Marketing & Communications Excellence
Digital marketing expertise with demonstrated ROI in student recruitment
Brand management experience in competitive education or aviation markets
Social media strategy and content development for technical/professional audiences
Cross-Functional Leadership
Proven ability to integrate diverse operational functions into cohesive strategies
Change management experience in complex organizational environments
Success building collaborative relationships with academic and operational stakeholders
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, Aviation Management, or related field preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and integrate student services, facilities management, security operations, and marketing/communications functions
Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance student recruitment, retention, and engagement
Oversee facility maintenance, safety compliance, and capital improvement projects
Establish and maintain comprehensive security protocols and partner with the Director Safety regarding emergency response procedures
Direct marketing campaigns, brand management, and internal/external communications
Manage departmental budgets and resource allocation across all functional areas
Build and mentor high-performing teams across diverse operational functions
Ensure compliance with aviation training regulations and accreditation standards
Collaborate with academy leadership to align support services with educational objectives
Lead department directors and managers across student services, facilities, security, and marketing functions
Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance management for direct reports
Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and team meetings to ensure alignment and accountability
Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and metrics aligned with academy objectives
Monitor performance against targets and implement corrective actions as needed
Lead cross-functional initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments
Present regular updates to executive leadership on operational performance and strategic initiatives
Develop and manage annual budgets across all functional areas
Allocate resources effectively to maximize operational efficiency and student outcomes
Approve expenditures and ensure fiscal responsibility across departments
Establish and enforce policies and procedures across all functional areas
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including FAA requirements
Conduct regular audits and assessments of operational effectiveness
Prepare for regulatory inspections
Maintain Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education licensing
Serve as primary liaison between operational functions and academic leadership
Build relationships with external partners, vendors, and regulatory agencies
Address escalated student, and staff concerns with professionalism
Represent the academy at industry conferences and community events
Projects a positive image of United Aviate Academy to employees, customers, industry, and community.
All other duties and responsibilities as assigned