Manager, Engineering & Air Safety

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Manager, Engineering & Air Safety for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office.  The Manager, Engineering & Air Safety manages a team of subject matter experts and administrative professionals.  In their management role they direct, monitor, and coordinate the effective and efficient utilization of their assigned team of staff in the Engineering and Air Safety (E&AS) Department, and lead joint efforts with other departments and related committees of pilot representatives to ensure the achievement of Association goals; develop and determine Association-wide air safety strategies for advancing ALPA policies and positions for approval by the respective ALPA committees, Executive Board, and Board of Directors; and, assist in the interpretation and application of established policies and positions.  In the absence of the Director and Assistant Director of Engineering and Air Safety, they work with the other members of the management team to coordinate the activities of the E&AS Department. 

They assign work projects, assign tasks to their team, and are responsible for providing effective direction on operational matters in support of the Association's Air Safety Organization (ASO) and other relevant committees.  Their role within the organization is to identify potential actions to advance the Association’s strategic plan and to be a developer and instigator of new and improved air safety policies and procedures, as well as an advisor and consultant on implementing established positions or policies.  Their major responsibilities include administrating the functions of the department in a manner which best promotes the development and approval of Association responses to government agencies concerning technical issues and related safety matters; assignment of personnel to and attending industry and government meetings; making assignments to staff for administrative matters; assisting the Director and Assistant Director in the preparation of the department budget; preparing team member evaluations with clearly defined attainable and measurable goals; and, remaining responsible for other administrative matters in the department.  They also coordinate and work directly with other ALPA departments, primarily Government Affairs, Communications, Legal, and Representation.

Success in this position requires staff management experience, patience, and the ability to communicate effectively with member volunteers and ALPA leadership.  Their people, management, and communication skills with their employees, peers, members, and Officers are sound.  They have demonstrated the ability to multitask on multiple projects in a very fast-paced and collaborative team environment, ensuring tasks and projects are completed on time.

ALPA is a member-driven, staff supported, union with two internal professional unions.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area, e.g., Aviation, Engineering, or other related field, from an accredited college or university, master’s degree preferred; or, the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Private pilot with instrument rating or equivalent aeronautical experience and knowledge of aircraft flight operations, FARs, CARs, national and international aviation standards required.
• Must have leadership experience in large or medium-sized organizations. Previous experience working with ALPA is a plus.
• Knowledge of FAA and inter-governmental process functions strongly preferred.
• Ten (10) years of experience in the fields of aviation safety and/or airline flight operations (or any combination of the above) required.
• Must possess the interpersonal, managerial, and leadership skills to effect decisions in support of ALPA interests amongst aviation community groups.
• Strong technical writing and public speaking skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, pilots, and external contacts.
• Must be a self-starter with professional maturity and sound judgment, capable of independent decision-making.
• Must possess excellent time management skills; be able to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment; and, transition easily between projects, ensuring that timelines are being met.
• Solid presentation skills strongly preferred.
• Software: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands:

Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet.  Regularly required to maintain a stationary position; move about the office and the local metropolitan area; determine what others have said or written; and, converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally).  May also include occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.).  While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs.  (Assistance may not always be available.)