Executive Director - Aviation Maintence School

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors through the Board Chair and directly supervises the Program Director, Director of Student Services & Operations, and administrative staff. Your first-year priorities:

Safety and FAA Part 147 Compliance

Set the tone for a safety-first culture from day one. Monitor and improve a Safety Management System with incident and near-miss reporting. Conduct a full FAA compliance audit, close the gaps, and build the audit-ready rhythms that keep the school’s certificate secure. Ensure student records, facilities, and equipment meet 14 CFR Part 147 requirements. 

Build a Strong Team
Clarify every role with written expectations. Start a performance rhythm of regular check-ins, quarterly goals, and honest feedback. Assess whether the right people are in the right seats and address gaps directly. Build instructor depth so no single person is irreplaceable. Create a culture where staff feel supported, accountable, and heard.

Fill Seats, Keep Students, Get Them Certified and Hired
This is the school’s survival engine. Audit recruiting channels to find what actually produces enrolled students—not just clicks. Measure conversion at every stage. Map the student experience and fix the reasons students leave. Track completion rates, pass rates, and job placement. Build employer relationships that create a pull for graduates. Deliver a data-driven recruiting plan to the board.

Achieve Financial Sustainability
Publish a clear financial dashboard: cash on hand, runway, budget versus actual, and risks. Connect enrollment forecasts to the financial plan. Track cash weekly. Identify cost improvements that support net operating income. Ensure the school is current on all not-for profit IRS, tax, insurance, and regulatory requirements.

 Advance COE Accreditation
Complete a self-assessment against COE Handbook requirements. Build an accreditation calendar with owners and evidence folders. Draft required policies. Move the candidacy application forward. Accreditation unlocks federal financial aid—it is the most important strategic milestone for the school’s future.

Strengthen the Board Partnership
Build and deliver a monthly board dashboard covering safety, enrollment, finances, accreditation, and team health. Establish a regular rhythm with the Board Chair. Lead through transparency—flag issues early, even when the news is hard. The Executive Director supports the board; the Executive Director does not run governance.

Own the School’s Systems
The school runs on platforms that serve as its institutional memory for compliance, student records, finances, and accountability. Assess system health, publish a Systems of Record policy, reconcile financial data, and evaluate the planned LMS migration. Every staff member works through designated systems—not email, texts, or personal workarounds.