The Manager, Flight Ops Academics is responsible for leading the development, delivery, and continual improvement of Spirit Airlines’ pilot academic training programs. This role ensures all ground school elements of Initial, Recurrent, Upgrade, and Requalification training consistently meet FAA Part 121 requirements and align with Spirit’s operational, standardization, and safety objectives. 

Working within the Flight Ops Training & Evaluation organization, the manager oversees academic instructors, curriculum development, and ground training quality, while partnering closely with Instructor/Evaluator teams and AQP leadership to uphold Spirit’s high standards for safety, effectiveness, and training consistency. 

Academic Program Leadership 

• Oversee the day to day execution of all pilots academic training programs, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance. 
• Ensure academic instruction is aligned with Spirit’s established pilot training programs and evaluation standards, which are overseen at the department level by the Sr. Director, Flight Ops Training & Evaluation.
• Coordinate with Crew Training Scheduling to ensure proper resource allocation for academic events.

Curriculum Development & Standardization

• Lead the creation, revision, and maintenance of academic curricula, lesson plans, courseware, and assessments. 
• Ensure strict revision control and content accuracy, aligning with Spirit’s broader requirements for courseware, training supplements, multimedia, and grade sheets.
• Collaborate with Fleet Managers, SMEs, SFOIs, and Flight Standards to update materials as operational policies evolve.

Regulatory Oversight & Compliance 

• Support FAA interactions related to academic curriculum approvals, audits, AQP documentation, and oversight.

• Contribute to preparation and review processes for AQP annual meetings and training program validations, consistent with leadership expectations described in Spirit’s training management roles.

• Ensure academic training records remain accurate and compliant.

Instructor Management & Development 

• Supervise and mentor Spirit ground instructors delivering systems, procedures, and basic indoctrination training.

• Conduct standardization checks, observations, and performance reviews.

• Support staffing, interview processes, qualification tracking, and ongoing development of academic instructors.

Quality Assurance & Performance Analytics 

• Monitor training effectiveness, student performance, and instructor delivery quality.

• Identify trends, training gaps, and areas for academic improvement.

• Collaborate with the Spirit I/E Quality Assurance Observation (QAO) program to maintain high quality instruction.

Cross Functional Collaboration 

• Coordinate with Flight Standards, SFOIs, Safety, Dispatch, and Inflight Training to ensure academic content accurately reflects Spirit’s SOPs and operational changes.

• Work with Simulator Training, AQP leadership, and Scheduling to ensure alignment between academic, FTD, and simulator events.

Required Qualifications 

• Extensive knowledge of Part 121 flight operations and training practices.

• A minimum of 2-3 years of hands-on experience in curriculum development or pilot training program administration.   

• Demonstrated leadership capability in a training or operational environment.

• Strong understanding of A320 systems preferred due to Spirit’s fleet (supported by Spirit’s training pipeline emphasis on A320 systems coursework).

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working in an FAA AQP environment.

• Prior management experience in a Part 121 Flight Ops Training Department.

• Proficiency with LMS and digital training creation tools.

• Prior experience in ground or simulator instruction.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and motivate instructors.

• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.

• High technical proficiency regarding aircraft systems, airline SOPs, and adult learning principles.

• Ability to analyze training performance data and implement improvements.

Working Conditions 

• Primarily classroom/office environment with frequent observation of training events at Spirit training facilities.

• Occasional travel to training partner locations.

• Must be available for time sensitive operational or regulatory meetings as needed.

Indicate Physical Effort

• Exert up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.

Telework Capacity 

• Must be present at the worksite 100 of the time 

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits to our team members including medical, dental, STD, LTD, life insurance, 401(k), paid time off, travel benefits, and much more. We strive to maintain a professional, yet friendly environment and promote professional and career development for our Team Members.

At Spirit, we live “More Fly.” It’s not just about getting from point A to B—it’s about feeling fly while you’re at it. For our Team Members, it means thinking BIG, taking action, making connections, and having a blast while doing it. From the station to the cockpit, the cabin to the computer, every day is an adventure as we redefine travel.

Soar with us and enjoy travel perks that bring you closer to what matters. Join a team that empowers you to bring your full self to work, grow personally and professionally, and fuel the communities we serve. At Spirit Airlines, the sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning!

Spirit Airlines is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.