Vice President - Aerial Operations (Finance)

For over 65 years, Columbia Helicopters have been a trusted provider of heavy-lift helicopter services. We create new aircraft, fly heavy-lift helicopters around the world, and provide maintenance support to ensure you are mission-ready for critical operations. If you are passionate about aviation, join our Columbia Family !

The Vice President of Aerial Operations will lead and oversee the operational, financial, regulatory, and safety aspects of our heavy-lift helicopter fleet. This senior leadership role is critical to ensuring the success of our mission-driven operations, maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency, and delivering exceptional service to our customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Profit & Loss (P&L) Accountability

• Oversee the financial health of the flight operations division, ensuring revenue and cost targets are met or exceeded
• Develop and implement financial strategies to optimize profitability while maintaining operational excellence
• Manage budgets, cost controls, and resource allocation to achieve financial and operational goals
• Track and report key financial metrics, identifying opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all flight operations, including planning, scheduling, and execution of heavy-lift helicopter missions
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance with all applicable regulations
• Optimize fleet utilization to achieve operational excellence and meet customer requirements

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all flight operations adhere to aviation safety standards, regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, EASA, or ICAO), and company policies
• Champion a culture of safety, implementing proactive measures to mitigate risks and improve operational safety performance
• Oversee audits, inspections, and certifications to maintain regulatory compliance and operational readiness

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of pilots, crew members, and operations staff to foster a high-performance culture
• Ensure proper training, certification, and readiness of all flight operations personnel
• Promote collaboration and teamwork across departments, including maintenance, engineering, and customer service

Customer Engagement & Mission Success

• Work closely with customers to understand their heavy-lift requirements and ensure operational plans align with their needs
• Drive mission success by delivering on-time, cost-effective, and high-quality flight operations for a wide range of applications (e.g., construction, oil & gas, firefighting, disaster relief, or military support)

Field Maintenance & Resource Management

• Collaborate with Field Maintenance, ensuring aircraft availability, maintenance scheduling, and mission-specific configurations
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to ensure the fleet is maintained at the highest standards
• Manage operational budgets, resource allocation, and cost control measures

Strategic Planning & Innovation

• Develop and execute strategic plans to enhance the company's flight operations capabilities and market presence
• Identify and implement new technologies, systems, or processes to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness
• Support business development initiatives by contributing to proposals, presentations, and customer engagements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in aviation operations, with at least 10 years in a leadership role overseeing helicopter operations
• Proven track record of managing P&L for a large division, program, or business unit
• Extensive experience in heavy-lift helicopter operations (e.g., CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky S-64, or equivalent rotorcraft platforms)
• Deep knowledge of aviation regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and operational compliance standards
• Strong financial acumen and ability to interpret and act on complex financial data
• Proven ability to manage complex flight operations in demanding environments
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Experience working with diverse customers, including government agencies, military, and commercial clients, is a plus

Preferred Attributes

• Demonstrated experience in large-scale project management and mission-critical operations
• Strong understanding of heavy-lift helicopter mission profiles, including external load operations, precision placement, and high-altitude performance
• Familiarity with cutting-edge aviation technologies, such as avionics systems and flight data monitoring

Location: Aurora, Oregon
Reports To: President & CEO
Travel Requirements: up to 35%

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)