Vice President of Flight Operations

Job Description:

This Is How We Fly

At JSX, we’re not just a lifestyle carrier – we’re a lifestyle employer. Here, entrepreneurship meets determination, and excellence is our standard. We believe that the journey is just as important as the destination, and every day, we strive to create a Joyful, Simple eXperience for our Customers. Join us, and find your runway to growth, innovation, and success.

About the Role

Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Flight Operations provides strategic and executive oversight of JSX's entire Flight Operations department, including Pilots and Inflight Crewmembers.

You'll be accountable for the department's safety, compliance, operational reliability, staffing, and financial performance. From recruiting and training to crew deployment, scheduling, and long-term workforce planning, you'll ensure JSX has the qualified Crewmembers, resources, and organizational capabilities needed to support daily operations and future growth.

This role works in close partnership with the Director of Operations (DO), who maintains designated regulatory oversight responsibilities. You'll ensure the DO has the staffing, organizational support, and resources necessary to fulfill those responsibilities while establishing department policies and leading operational and strategic initiatives.

You'll also coordinate closely with Commercial, Mission Control, Safety, Corporate Soul, Finance, and other departments to ensure flight schedules are executable, operational risks are managed, and JSX is prepared for fleet expansion, new routes, and evolving operational requirements.

The successful candidate will hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, bring substantial Part 121 or Part 135 operational leadership experience, and be prepared to pursue the training and approval necessary to participate in the Director of Operations oversight rotation.

A Day in the Life

In this role, you'll:

Flight Operations Leadership & Strategy

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for JSX's Pilot and Inflight organizations, ensuring safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Establish Flight Operations policies in consultation with the Director of Operations and in coordination with the SVP of Operations, Corporate Soul, Legal, Finance, and other affected departments.
• Ensure Flight Operations teams are appropriately organized, staffed, trained, and equipped to execute their responsibilities safely and effectively.
• Oversee Flight Operations manuals, handbooks, and department procedures to maintain alignment with operational requirements and company standards.
• Lead operational readiness initiatives supporting fleet growth, new aircraft types, route launches, and technology implementations.
• Build and develop strong operational leaders, promoting accountability, professional development, and consistent execution across the department.

Crew Production, Training & Workforce Planning

• Oversee the complete Pilot and Inflight Crewmember production pipeline, from recruiting and hiring through training, qualification, and operational deployment.
• Partner with Corporate Soul to align hiring plans and recruiting activity with operational staffing requirements.
• Oversee Pilot and Inflight training programs, including the deployment of Training Captains, Check Airmen, and Inflight Instructors.
• Lead long-term workforce planning, professional development, upgrade eligibility, and forecasting for Pilots and Inflight Crewmembers.
• Oversee Crew Scheduling and bidding processes, ensuring appropriate staffing coverage and efficient utilization of qualified Crewmembers.
• Identify opportunities to improve training throughput, crew utilization, and workforce readiness while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

Operational Planning & Performance

• Partner with Commercial and operational teams through the Operational Schedule Review process to ensure flight schedules are executable, appropriately resourced, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Balance commercial scheduling priorities with Pilot availability, training requirements, crew resources, and operational constraints.
• Maintain accountability for the Flight Operations budget, including financial planning, resource allocation, cost management, and efficiency initiatives.
• Monitor department performance and identify opportunities to improve operational reliability, productivity, and resource utilization.
• Following appropriate training and certification by the Director of Operations, participate in the daily operational oversight rotation, including responding to line calls and supporting Mission Control.
• Perform duties as a flight Crewmember when appropriately qualified and operationally required.

Safety, Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Partner closely with the Director of Operations to ensure adequate staffing, resources, and organizational support for regulatory oversight and daily operational coverage.
• Coordinate with the Director of Operations and Director of Safety to ensure Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), and safety reporting programs are appropriately resourced and functioning effectively.
• Exercise responsibility for high-risk acceptance and risk-mitigation approvals as defined in JSX's Safety Management System (SMS).
• Identify potential safety concerns, security threats, and operational risks associated with organizational or procedural changes.
• Commission risk assessments and operational analyses as needed to support informed decision-making.
• Promote a proactive safety culture built on regulatory compliance, risk awareness, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Fulfill applicable SMS responsibilities outlined in JSX's Safety Management System manuals.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Lead a Critical Part of JSX: Provide executive leadership for the Pilots, Inflight Crewmembers, and operational teams responsible for delivering safe and reliable flight operations.
• Shape the Future of Flight Operations: Develop the strategies, workforce plans, and organizational capabilities that support JSX's continued growth.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Influence crew production, training, scheduling, resource utilization, and operational reliability across the entire network.
• Make Safety Your Legacy: Partner with regulatory and safety leaders to strengthen risk management, compliance, and a proactive safety culture.
• Work at the Executive Level: Collaborate with senior leadership across Operations, Commercial, Finance, Corporate Soul, and other functions to align operational execution with business strategy.
• Lead Meaningful Growth: Guide operational readiness for new aircraft, expanding fleets, additional routes, and emerging technologies.

What Makes a Successful Vice President of Flight Operations?

We're looking for someone who is:

• Safety-Focused: You understand that regulatory compliance, operational discipline, and proactive risk management are fundamental to every decision.
• Strategic: You can connect long-term fleet and network growth with the staffing, training, scheduling, and operational capabilities required to support it.
• Operationally Experienced: You bring deep knowledge of airline operations and understand the practical challenges of managing complex, multi-team Flight Operations organizations.
• Decisive: You can evaluate operational risks, balance competing priorities, and make sound decisions in time-sensitive environments.
• Collaborative: You build strong partnerships with the Director of Operations, Safety, Commercial, and other departments while respecting regulatory roles and responsibilities.
• Financially Minded: You understand how staffing, training, scheduling, and operational decisions influence cost, efficiency, and overall business performance.
• People-Focused: You develop strong leaders, build organizational capability, and create an environment where Crewmembers can perform at their best.
• Accountable: You take ownership of department performance, follow through on commitments, and hold yourself and your teams to high standards.
• Entrepreneurial: You embrace growth, challenge existing processes, and develop practical solutions that help JSX operate more effectively.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of leadership experience in Part 121 or Part 135 flight operations.
• Current Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
• Significant operational experience in a Part 121 or Part 135 environment.
• Willingness and ability to pursue the training and approval required to participate in the Director of Operations oversight rotation.
• In-depth knowledge of FAA regulations, including 14 CFR Parts 119, 135, 121, and 91.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, multi-team Flight Operations departments.
• Proven experience in Pilot and Inflight Crewmember workforce planning, production, training, and professional development.
• Strong understanding of operational control systems, Crew Resource Management (CRM), and aviation safety programs.
• Familiarity with Safety Management Systems under 14 CFR Part 5, ASAP, and FOQA program administration.
• Demonstrated budgeting, operational planning, resource management, and project management capabilities.
• Familiarity with flight planning software, Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), and dispatch tools.
• Strong leadership, coaching, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage competing operational and strategic priorities in a dynamic aviation environment.

Preferred Experience

• 10+ years of leadership experience in Part 121 or Part 135 flight operations.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aviation, a technical discipline, or a related field.
• Previous experience serving as a Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, or equivalent Part 119 management position holder.
• Experience coordinating commercial flight schedules and optimizing Pilot resources.
• Experience managing Check Airman programs, Training Captain deployment, and Pilot upgrade forecasting.
• Qualifications to serve as a Director of Operations under 14 CFR §119.69, including applicable supervisory, managerial, operational control, and Pilot in Command experience requirements.
• Experience supporting Part 135 operations involving large aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or greater.

Benefits & Perks

• Health Benefits: New Crewmembers become eligible for coverage on the 1st of the month following the start date, with medical plans beginning at just $110/month. 100% employer-paid dental & vision, plus up to $2,100 annually for HSA contribution. Short-term and long-term disability coverage at no cost.
• Travel Benefits: Enjoy free non-revenue standby travel on JSX, plus deeply discounted standby travel on other major domestic and international airlines for you and your qualifying immediate family.
• 401(k) Match: 50% of your first 8%.
• Generous PTO: Take time to recharge with our flexible PTO plan.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to travel as needed to support Flight Operations, operational oversight, training, and other company initiatives.

The role involves intermittent physical activity, including bending, reaching, and prolonged periods of sitting. Candidates must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds vertically through four feet and maneuver that load at arm's length.

The successful candidate must maintain the qualifications necessary for assigned responsibilities and complete required training and approval before participating in the Director of Operations oversight rotation.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Responsibilities and duties may change when circumstances dictate, including emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs, technical developments, or evolving business needs.

JSX seeks to provide equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and to ensure all personnel activities—including recruitment, selection, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination—remain free of illegal discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ready to soar with us? Join JSX, where every day is a chance to be part of something eXtraordinary!

Compensation Range:

$202,000.0 - $235,000.0

JSX is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.