Senior Director, Commercial Aviation Safety & Regulatory Affairs bei Aerospace Industries Association

Description

About AIA: https://www.aia-aerospace.org/about-aia/

Are you ready to be part of an organization that has championed the American aerospace and defense (A&D) industry for over 100 years?

Headquartered in Arlington, VA, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) plays a pivotal role in shaping national policy to advance air transportation safety, foster innovation, and support a resilient industrial base.

We’re currently seeking a Senior Director to join our Civil Aviation division. This role is ideal for a passionate and strategic professional eager to drive meaningful impact across the Aerospace industry.

The Senior Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of aerospace systems and operations. This position is responsible for leading and advancing the full spectrum of priorities within the Civil Aviation portfolio, to include safety, certification, and operational initiatives. The Senior Director brings proven technical, organizational, interpersonal, and strategic expertise to anticipate and resolve issues impacting current and future aerospace products, including but not limited to transport category aircraft, rotorcraft, UAS, AAM, avionics, and related technologies. The Senior Director oversees the priorities of AIA industry committees and working groups, develops industry positions, and represents AIA before domestic and international bodies, both public and private.

This position reports directly to the Vice President of Civil Aviation.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director is a highly motivated individual who will engage on an array of initiatives associated with the safety, design, manufacture, and operation of traditional and emerging aircraft and associated products. The ideal candidate will also have experience with relational topics such as spectrum, automation, and AI. The Senior Director will lead policy development, track industry trends, and advocate for regulatory and/or process changes which support innovation in commercial aviation. Key focus areas also include safety and quality management systems, certification processes, and integration of new or novel technologies into the National Airspace System. The role also includes staying current in relevant technical areas and leading educational initiatives for AIA staff and members.

The Senior Director will collaborate across the Civil Aviation team and internal departments to guide strategic efforts, including those that intersect with other divisions. The ideal candidate will build and maintain partnerships with AIA members, government agencies, other relevant associations, and international organizations, serving as a trusted liaison and advocate. The role includes aligning industry positions, managing meetings and logistics, and supporting broader AIA initiatives beyond commercial aviation. The Senior Director also advises senior leadership on policy implications, fosters cross-departmental collaboration, and engages with stakeholders across government, industry, and academia. This role demands a high level of professionalism, consensus-building ability, and commitment to advancing the interests of the U.S. aerospace manufacturing sector.

The Senior Director will work with relevant individuals and teams to identify strategic opportunities for AIA to amplify the industry's voice and impact, especially related to maintaining U.S. leadership is aviation safety and innovation. This includes preparing for and moderating discussions at high-level aviation summits and conferences, interviews with the press, and serving as an industry representative on government advisory boards and committees. Additionally, the Senior Director represents U.S. manufacturing interests in multilateral and international forums, ensuring alignment with global standards and advocacy efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an aviation discipline such as, but not limited to, aerospace engineering; other academic backgrounds will be considered based on resume and experience
• A minimum of ten years’ prior experience in aerospace-related positions
• Experience managing, developing, or advocating positions on issues related to aviation products, systems, emerging technologies, operations and/or infrastructure.
• Experience with or in US government agencies (such as FAA/DOT) and/or Congressional committees that oversee civil aviation issues
• Demonstrated knowledge of commercial aviation regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated success in bringing stakeholders together to resolve issues
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communications skills with the ability to write or oversee technical briefs, advocacy papers, and comments on rulemaking activities
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in customer service with high standards of timeliness and responsiveness
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, collegiality, and self-motivation are necessary for success.

To Apply, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.