Manager, Flying Clubs Initiative

The Manager of AOPA’s Flying Club Initiative leverages and utilizes hands-on experience to spearhead the creation of new flying clubs while sustaining and growing existing clubs. The manager provides overall program management and contributes significantly to the program’s resources and strategic direction, ensuring the success and sustainability of clubs within the AOPA Flying Club Network.

This position reports to the Vice-President, You Can Fly Programming and is based in Frederick, MD.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leverage extensive knowledge and experience with aircraft operation, safety practices, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiencies, garnered from hands-on experience as a pilot to support new club prospects and existing clubs.
• Monitor and respond to all emails, phone calls, and social media posts related to the flying club's initiative daily, drawing upon knowledge and hands-on experience as a certificated pilot.
• Maintain an active prospects list and document progress of clubs in formation in the flying club tracking system. Proactively follow-up with club prospects to identify and provide opportunities for support.
• Continually develop, evaluate, adapt, and update resources based on changing demands and regulations in the aviation industry, and evolving best practices through the flying club start-grow-sustain lifecycle. Ensure resources are readily available and easily accessible.
• Lead the management, development, and coordination of all aspects of the AOPA Flying Club Network. Manage existing resources and develop new benefits for Network members, including but not limited to club giveaways, all online information and resource library, Flying Club Finder, and regulatory assistance.
• Produce content and manage production/deployment of the AOPA Flying Club Connector newsletter. Collaborate with writers and the marketing team, leveraging first-hand knowledge of flying club operation best-practices to publish an informative and relevant newsletter according to the editorial schedule.
• Work directly with the AOPA Research team for the creation, launch, and analysis of data from targeted surveys, including the annual Flying Clubs survey. From this work, create and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Routinely collect and analyze metrics and data that point directly to AOPA’s impact through this initiative.
• Manage production of online and in-person flying club seminars and workshops, including but not limited to location selection, scheduling, attendee registration, content creation, presentation, and overall event execution.
• Plan and execute flying club events at airshows and fly-ins. Work with the marketing department and other pilot community development staff to promote, execute and manage to budget.
• Travel as necessary to attend meetings, host events, and deliver presentations.
• Provide and coordinate all AOPA internal relationships necessary to support the program, including but not limited to internal production request coordination, online content management, schedule monitoring, legal assistance, and budget tracking.
• Coordinate with other You Can Fly staff on closely related programs such as AOPA’s flight training initiative and the Rusty Pilots program.
• Ensure contractors/consultants are properly managed and deliver on promised content/expertise, timeline, and budget.
• Manage expenses and track to the approved annual budget.

• At least three years of relevant experience. Industry experience in an aviation-related position and direct experience with a flying club (personal or professional) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated prior program management experience.
• Prior success in developing strong internal and external collaborative relationships.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced and dynamic working environment.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Public speaking experience required, along with excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with a web-content management system highly desirable.
• Airmen Certificate required. Current FAA issued medical certificate or BasicMed qualification preferred. CFI Certificate highly desirable.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to regularly travel to aviation and flying club events.