Director, Flight Standards

Endeavor Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Flying as Delta Connection Endeavor operates 160 regional jets on 850 daily flights to 122 destinations in the United States Canada and the Caribbean.

Headquartered in Minneapolis Minn. Endeavor has hub operations in Atlanta Cincinnati Detroit Minneapolis New York and Raleigh-Durham and 11 maintenance bases across our network.

We know that our people are our greatest assets and we are committed to building a culture where employees love coming to work each day. At Endeavor Air we foster a diverse culturally-rich and safe workplace where employees are treated with dignity and respect. With a culture built on safety excellence and teamwork Endeavor offers limitless potential for aviation professionals looking to start or continue their careers.

Our team promotesan inclusive environmentin all aspects of the airline and our operation. As an EEO employer we provide opportunities for all qualified candidates without regards to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age protected veteran or disabled status.

The Director Flight Standards provides strategic leadership and governance for pilot instructor evaluator and Line Check Pilot (LCP) standardization across Endeavor Air. This role is responsible for establishing and maintaining the strategy policies quality controls and performance expectations necessary to ensure consistent safe and compliant execution of flight operations.

The Director serves as the primary Flight Standards liaison with the FAA Principal Operations Inspector and Aircrew Program Manager and provides organizational leadership for flight-manual approvals operating procedures fleet standardization and instructor/evaluator quality assurance.

In partnership with the Directors of Flight Operations and Training and the System Chief Pilot the Director integrates Safety Management System (SMS) principles into operational policies and procedural changes identifies systemic risk and leads corrective action and continuous improvement.

The Director Flight Standards will report to the VP Flight Operations.

This is a flight qualified position compensated at 95 hours per month at 6 year or company seniority whichever is greater. This role is eligible for Flight Qualified Override.

• Provide leadership and direction for Flight Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensuring alignment with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and FAA requirements.
• Oversee enterprise flight standards and administer quality control processes that promote consistency and standardization across Instructors Evaluators and Line Check Pilots (LCPs).
• Lead fleet standardization initiatives in partnership with the Fleet Manager to ensure consistent application of operating procedures and standards across the fleet.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the FAA Principal Operations Inspector (POI) and Aircrew Program Manager (APM) regarding Flight Manual approvals and other regulatory communications.
• Provide direct and indirect leadership oversight and project management for the recruitment training qualification and utilization of Line Check Pilots (LCPs).
• Ensure Safety Management System (SMS) principles are integrated throughout Flight Operations including the completion and documentation of appropriate safety risk analyses for all policy and procedural changes.
• Foster and maintain a collaborative engaged and high-performing environment across multiple functions through constructive communication guidance and leadership.
• Develop and support staff to ensure individuals are appropriately trained and equipped to perform their responsibilities effectively. Establish development pathways build organizational capability and provide ongoing coaching and on-the-job training as needed.
• Establish data-driven goals and objectives that support functional departmental divisional and corporate priorities. Monitor performance and implement corrective actions as appropriate and in accordance with company policy.
• Develop and maintain effective internal and external partnerships that support the successful achievement of both operational and strategic objectives.
• Provide oversight for the quality and standardization of training materials used across instructional programs.
• Ensure the Instructor Evaluator and LCP deliver training in accordance with approved Flight Operations Training and Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) requirements.
• Oversee fiscal responsibilities associated with the Standards division and annual planning requirements for the Line Check Pilot workforce.
• Ensure effective coordination between Flight Training and Line Operations to maintain accurate and compliant records for training and checking events.
• Analyze complex operational and organizational situations using sound judgment and advanced problem-solving skills.
• Evaluate multiple alternatives and perspectives to develop timely effective and well-reasoned solutions.
• Direct and coordinate multiple functional activities to ensure business objectives are achieved on schedule within budget and in accordance with established quality standards.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by the Vice President of Flight Operations.
• Possesses a high level of knowledge in the following areas: Company Policy and Manuals FAA Regulations Operations Specifications and other technical data appropriate to aircraft operations.
• Maintain currency requirements regarding medical training and hourly flight requirements.
• Use superior judgment to conduct safe and efficient flights in company aircraft.
• Possesses a high level of personal decorum professional conduct and personal appearance.

• Other duties as assigned

• Leads the Flight Standards organization including direct and indirect oversight of Flight Standards personnel instructors evaluators and Line Check Pilots.
• Responsible for workforce planning performance management employee development and succession planning within the function.

• Ethics and Values - Recognized as highly ethical leader internally and externally. Influential in the airline industry due to ethical reputation and way of doing business. Leads the organization as an active and visible servant leader - communicating the commitment and support that Endeavor leaders have to employee and business success.
• Knows Our Business - Knows our competition and what drives our market niche. Has expertise experience or connections that provide context for making wise and informed business decisions. Engages the organization in constructive problem-solving and encourages all employees to think creatively and use their expertise to continually solve problems challenge assumptions and prevent stagnation.
• Builds Trust and Decision Making - Communicates organizational changes and decisions in a thorough way providing insight into rationales for decisions and allowing opportunity for questioning and challenge. Shows commitment to transparency and continual learning.
• Drive for Results by Inspiring Others - Understands that key measurements will drive results and works to identify those most critical to communicate priorities and allocate resources appropriately. Inspires support for the organizations mission in the community and the industry. Articulates a vision for where the industry is going in the future by inspiring and mobilizing others to action.
• Know Your Team/Leading People - As a leader proactively sees opportunities for talented and diverse staff to work with upper leadership to promote development and results. Communicates clear and consistent messages to reinforce priorities for employee engagement inclusion and development.
• Director Traits at Endeavor Self-Awareness; Versatile Business Knowledge; Actively Manages Change; Effectively Leads Teams; Organizational Savvy; Influence and Operational Leadership.

• Current FAA First Class Medical.
• FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
• Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radio License.
• Must have an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) OR ability to obtain an ATP or Restricted ATP.
• Bachelors degree in aviation business management or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
• Minimum four years of progressive leadership experience in Part 121 flight operations flight training or flight standards.
• Experience as a Part 121 instructor evaluator check airman or Line Check Pilot.
• Demonstrates experience leading standardization quality-assurance or regulatory-compliance programs across multiple operating groups.
• Advanced knowledge of FAA regulations Operations Specifications AQP requirements Safety Management Systems flight manuals and airline operating procedures.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with FAA representatives on manuals programs approvals or regulatory matters.
• Experience leading and developing employees leaders or large indirect operational teams.
• Strong strategic analytical and organizational decision-making skills.
• Executive-level communication and demonstrated ability to influence across organizational boundaries.

Preferred

• Previous Flight Standards leadership experience at a Part 121 carrier.
• Experience leading managers or geographically dispersed operational teams.
• Experience developing or governing an enterprise quality-control or assurance program.
• Experience with organizational change technology implementation and data-driven performance improvement.

• May be required to wear facial masks take safety measures or work remotely as necessary and as dictated by safety standards to help protect self and others in the workplace.
• Must be able to work extra hours when necessary.
• Some travel may be necessary.
• Position requires some physical exertion such as pulling pushing reaching bending standing walking and light lifting of boxes bags files etc. not in excess of 30 lbs.
• Can involve long periods of sitting. Computer work in a typical office environment subject to critical deadlines.

Providing world-class service to our customers starts with providing world-class benefits to our employees. Endeavor Air employees receive a competitive total compensation package which includes a variety of benefits to choose from and some of the best perks around.

• Free or reduced-rate travel privileges on Delta Air Lines and 80 air carriers worldwide for employees and eligible family members
• Comprehensive Medical Dental and Vision Plans
• 401(k) with Company Match starting on Day 1
• Operational Performance Rewards (OPR) Program
• Life and AD&D Insurance Short and Long-term Disability Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and voluntary supplementary benefit options