Director of Flight Operations

Chicago, IL, USA
Job Type
Full Time

About the Role

Summary: As the Director of Flight Operations, you will ensure all Laconic flight operations comply with FAA regulations, in-country regulations, operations specifications, and company policies, while exercising authority to maintain compliance.

This position is based in Chicago, IL, and requires in-person attendance.

Responsibilities:

  • Report to the Senior Vice President of Operations to establish safety standards and maintain flight operations in compliance with FAA, DOT, and all in-country or national airspace requirements.
  • Ensure effective Operational Control for all flight operations.
  • Oversee, distribute, and maintain company manuals, procedures, revisions, and necessary information.
  • Ensure competent and adequate staffing for crew, dispatch, and administrative functions.
  • Manage training and maintain pilot records.
  • Oversee maintenance, maintenance records, quality control, and all aspects of ensuring systems are properly maintained for flight and meet in-country and Laconic requirements.
  • Communicate and coordinate with other departments and in-country agencies to ensure safety and efficiency.
  • Establish effective information technology (IT) and communication systems and protocols to maintain full asset and personnel availability while controlling all aerial platforms and obtaining and disseminating sensor data.
  • Develop an integrated Analytics, Reporting, and Organizational strategy for pilot, crew, supporting personnel, and asset schedule planning, situational awareness, future outlook assessment, operational risk measurement, data-driven recommendations, and flight operations execution within the scope of assigned contracts.
  • Drive automation efforts and identify enhancements for efficiencies, ensuring IT Business Partners, other support stakeholders, and all scheduling functions understand the strategy and automation’s role in enabling that strategy.
  • Develop front line leaders with a clearly defined job scope, ensure depth and bench of talent at each leadership level, and devise engagement and career development strategies for all personnel involved in Laconic flight operations.
  • Manage budget development, establishment, and performance.
  • Oversee risk management and safety for all flight operations.
  • Perform any other duties assigned to manage and direct Laconic Flight Operations.

Requirements

Required Experience:

  • Bachelor or master’s degree in Aviation and Business Management or related field preferred.
  • Must hold a pilot’s license with preferred experience with Group 4 (as determined by U.S. DoD definition) and above unmanned aerial systems.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience of supervisory or managerial experience.
  • Minimum of 12 years as a pilot, while holding instructor and advanced ratings / qualifications.
  • Effective communication, both written and verbal.
  • Team-oriented creates an inclusive and motivating work environment.
  • Action-oriented, seizes opportunities to make quick and efficient decisions.
  • Previous Director of Flight Operations experience preferred, but not required.

About the Company

Laconic leads the global market in providing Environmental Intelligence services. We employ cutting-edge remote data sensing and geospatial technologies, human intelligence, AI and ML informatics, and predictive analytics to offer Environmental Monitoring, Risk Management, Decision Support, Domain Awareness, and Natural Capital Monetization applications. Our integrated technology platform and services enable governments, financial institutions, and corporations to make strategic business decisions in response to operational challenges arising from the intersection of ecology, economy, and security domains. As a member of the UN’s Global Marketplace, we design our services and applications to help clients achieve each of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our advanced SADAR™ Environmental Intelligence platform allows clients to assess various environmental scenarios promptly and make informed business decisions based on our proprietary analytics with the highest data pedigree. SADAR™ gathers environmental data through multi-modal ingestion from numerous global sources and organizes it using Laconic’s unique Universal Environmental Identifier (LUEI), which enables data fusion, contextual search, and custom ML models for our clients.

We collaborate with clients to develop tailored solutions that address diverse issues such as regional food security, decarbonization, financial compliance obligations, and habitat preservation. Our solutions maintain local social, cultural, and economic norms while actively promoting sustainable growth.

Our team comprises experienced professionals from a wide range of business, academic, and governmental sectors. We work with client nations and organizations to integrate newly available insights from the environment into strategies that reduce risk, boost profitability, and drive innovative initiatives.

At Laconic, we envision a world where humanity’s progress aligns with the protection, restoration, and ongoing sustainability of natural systems. We believe that responsible economic growth supports a thriving planet. Equipped with the necessary tools to deliver timely, relevant insights, our committed team upholds uncompromising excellence, high standards, and honest communication. Discretion and the power to choose our actions lie at the heart of Laconic’s core values.

Laconic, founded in 2019, holds Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) status and has its headquarters in Chicago, with additional offices in Bali, San Diego, and Toronto.