Locations:

Exploration of Flight - 13005 Wings Way, Englewood CO, 80112 (primary)

Air & Space Museum - 7711 East Academy Blvd, Denver CO, 80230

Status & Classification:    Regular | Full Time | Exempt

Salary:    $70,000 ~ $90,000/year (depending on experience)

Work Schedule:    Tuesday ~ Saturday* | 9am ~ 5pm* | 5 days/week

*This position must accommodate a flexible work schedule including weekends, evenings, special events, and occasional overnight/out-of-town travel.

Application window:    applications must be submitted by Sunday September 29th, 2024

Summary

The Program Director is responsible for developing and facilitating various educational programs, aviation showcase events, and flight operation activities at our Exploration of Flight (EoF) facility on Centennial Airport. This position reports to the CEO and is a core member of the Museum’s leadership team responsible for defining and implementing overall business strategy, company culture, and direction. The Program Director will oversee all EoF business administration, staff & volunteer management, facility operations, and day-to-day guest experience services including the welcome desk, retail operations, and our various aviation immersion programs. The Program Director works inter-departmentally across the entire organization with members of Curatorial, Development, Finance, Marketing, Corporate Events, Facilities, and Education.

Organization

Founded in 1994, Wings Over the Rockies is a non-profit community organization dedicated to unlocking dreams of flight through exhibits, local events, and educational programming. Exploration of Flight is our flight-focused educational extension opened in 2018. This 15-acre campus is located at the Centennial Airport where we offer showcase events with a variety of aircraft, aviation immersion programs, pilot ground training, and flight experiences. EoF is home to our Blue Sky Gallery exhibit and interactive aviation center featuring an airworthy fleet of civilian and military aircraft.

Located on the former Lowry Air Force Base in east Denver's historic Lowry Field neighborhood, our Air & Space Museum has been recognized by CNN Travel as one of their 20 Best aviation museums in the world. Each year we welcome roughly 160,000 visitors representing all 50 states and dozens of countries internationally. Wings is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Museum boasts more than 100,000 sq. ft. of open hangar space full of iconic aircraft, space vehicles, historical artifacts, and more. Visitors can experience thrilling flight simulators, discover educational programs, and participate in one of our many exciting museum-sponsored events.

Benefits

• Company paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D coverage
• $600 annual Health Savings Account (HSA) employer contribution for eligible medical plans
• Voluntary STD, Life/AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, and Legal/ID protection plans available
• Optional Flexible Spending (FSA) and Dependent Care (DCA) accounts
• 2 weeks paid vacation per year
• Paid personal time (1 week/year) and sick leave
• 403(b) group retirement plan participation with company match
• Potential for annual bonuses, merit pay increases, and career advancement
• Wings Museum membership, 25% gift shop discount, and other employee perks

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Please Note - this list is not all inclusive but intended to be a general guide to the essential duties of this position.

Business & Staff Management

• Provide leadership and direct supervision of all facility operations including flight and hanger operations, program development and outreach, welcome desk, simulator/exhibit activities, retail shop ticketing operations, and volunteer support
• Utilize and maintain operational reports (sales, inventory, and traffic, etc.)
• Provide EoF retail store management oversight
• Help prepare annual EoF budget and track and approve budget spending within program parameters
• Hire, train, coach and maintain scheduling for all EoF staff members
• Enhance guest experience by operating flight simulators and conducting facility tours as needed.

Program Development & Outreach

• Develop and manage the Teacher Flight program
• Create and maintain data and records for monitoring and reporting on programs
• Ensure timely entry of all program-related data into the CRM system (Altru)
• Help develop, promote, and provide oversight to all Weekend Showcases and other special events
• Collaborate with other departments to support and develop outreach opportunities
• Actively seek, solicit, promote and manage new programs that enhance EOF operating performance
• Represent Wings at third-party outreach opportunities and work with marketing & education to determine promotional opportunities and priorities
• Develop strong relationship with other airport tenants, Airport Authority and other aviation-based organizations

Flight Operations

• Oversee all day-to-day flight operations and general aircraft logistics
• Manage flight logistics such as aircraft movement and general maintenance
• Work with the Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic to ensure completion of all scheduled aircraft maintenance
• Ensure all insurance, pilot forms, and other required paperwork is properly maintained including flight logs and aircraft maintenance logs
• Maintain all training and safety manuals and oversee scheduling of regular safety meetings
• Create effective monitoring and reporting system for all flight operation activities

Working Conditions

Exploration of Flight is located at a busy regional airport. The Air & Space Museum operates in an 80-year-old aircraft hangar Environmental conditions may vary.

If you are an individual with a disability, you may request reasonable accommodations if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting our HR Department at 303-360-5360 for assistance.

• 4-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of management and/or leadership experience
• Licensed pilot highly preferred
• Knowledgeable and experienced with aircraft and airport operations
• Demonstrated ability to successfully promote and develop strong community and business relations
• Strong organizational, project management, and customer service skills
• Computer proficient with Microsoft Office 365 suite, Google Workspace, Flight Schedule Pro, Airtable, etc.
• Able to deal professionally and sensitively with a diverse audience and a wide range of contacts at different levels
• Strong interpersonal communicator, must be a team player
• Able to work with diverse groups and individuals with a commitment to social inclusion and accessibility
• Self-motivated, able to take the initiative, energetic, innovative, outcome-oriented
• Excellent written, in-person, phone communication skills and public speaking abilities
• Communicate and interact effectively with diverse communities including those with disabilities or neurodivergent people
• Highly self-motivated, able to prioritize workloads, and capable of working without immediate supervision
• Exceptional organizational abilities and time management skills
• Skilled in negotiation, planning, and logistics
• Experience operating maintenance tools, light machinery, and aviation equipment a plus
• Able to navigate 15,000 sq. ft. of floor space in all environmental conditions (cold/hot/humid/dry) for up to 8 hours/day
• Must be able to push, pull, squat, and lift 50+ lbs.
• Subject to FAA-mandated drug/alcohol testing if flying Museum-owned aircraft