Job Summary/Basic Functions

The Chair of the School of Aviation is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the School of Aviation. This role combines administrative duties with academic leadership, requiring a blend of managerial, educational, and industry expertise. The Chair plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction of aviation education, maintaining academic standards, and cultivating relationships within the aviation industry.

The Chair provides leadership that supports the mission, vision and strategic goals of the University. The position is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation and management of assigned instructional programs, services, budgets, and employees. The Chair will provide leadership in curriculum development, academic assessment, strategic planning and budgeting; employ enrollment management and retention strategies; foster collaborative working relationships with internal and external counterparts to communicate and coordinate initiatives that support College and local economic development initiatives.

The Chair of the School of Aviation requires a dedicated professional with a proven track record in aviation leadership, program management, and a passion for fostering excellence in aviation education. This Chair will report to the Dean of the College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Earned Master's degree in an Aviation, Aerospace, Aeronautical Science, or relevant business, engineering, safety or other aviation related fields from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution.

Experience: Five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the field of aviation.

Licensure & Certifications: Holding an FAA pilot license (Private, Instrument, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Multi-Engine, Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFI-I), Multi-engine Instructor) or FAA Part 107 Drone license is beneficial but not required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Job Duties:

• 25% - Ensure the professional representation of the Aviation Program to aviation industry partners, leaders and organizations within the local, state and national community as well as with the leadership of the College and University. Effectively recruit, hire, train, develop, and evaluate the Aviation program faculty and staff; handle personnel matters for all employees such as dismissal, discipline, demotion and promotion; counsel employees as necessary. - (Essential)
• 25% - Maintain full responsibility for the EKU aviation program, not limited to overall strategy and execution to include: Ensure compliance and applicability of flight training program as directed by FAA FAR Part 61 and 141 requirements established in program certificates. Effectively negotiate the purchase of necessary resources required to meet training requirements to include, but not limited to: aircraft, Advance Aircraft Training Devices, aircraft parts, material, fuel, oil and others as required - (Essential)
• 25% - Review and approve the unit budget actions to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory guidelines and University policy. Actively coordinate with staff, chief flight instructor, maintenance manager, flight operations support personnel, airport manager and third-party maintenance and aircraft providers to manage costs and expenditures to maintain fiscal constraints of the Aviation program - (Essential)
• 20% - Coordinate with the Dean’s Office and EKU Foundation to develop professional relationships with the aviation industry. Through these affiliations, explore donor support, program growth opportunities to expand curriculum, degree options, internship connections, and professional development needs of industry personnel. Collaborate with the Dean's office and staff on the development and management of the Aviation Programs assessment processes - (Essential)
• 5% - Supports the office functions by completing all other duties and special projects as assigned. - (Essential)