Alaska Airlines

Director, Base Chief Pilot

Alaska Airlines$186K — $258K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of professional pilot experience under FAA regulations.
  • 4+ years of leadership experience in roles such as Captain or Check Pilot.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
  • Ability to become a line qualified pilot at Horizon Air.
  • Knowledge of FAA regulations and pilot procedures.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage stress and solve problems effectively.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and prioritize a team of pilots, coaching for professional growth.
  • Shape long-term operational strategy for assigned base.
  • Foster team development through performance management and ongoing feedback.
  • Cultivate a positive work culture through leadership presence and action.
  • Build trust and effective communication between pilots and management.
  • Collaborate with other leaders to ensure safety standards are met.
  • Act as primary contact for FAA and other regulatory bodies.

Benefits

  • Free standby travel on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status.
  • Annual confirmed travel credits provided.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • Generous 401k match program and annual bonus plans.
  • Generous holiday and paid time off.
Full Job Description
Role Summary

This role is responsible for balancing strategic priorities while ensuring tactical execution for Flight Operations Pilot Bases at Horizon Air (QX). As a people leader, the Base Chief Pilot leads and establishes priorities for the team by implementing the Flight Operations strategic goals and objectives in relationship to the day-to-day operation at the base, safely and in compliance and accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and company policies.

Key Duties

  • Lead and establish priorities for a team of pilots by setting professional standards and coaching when appropriate.
  • Shape the long-term strategy and planning for operations at assigned base.
  • Develop people through effective performance management and ongoing feedback, focusing on fostering strategic and systems thinking across team and function, development of talent in function/discipline, and succession planning.
  • Shape culture of the team and beyond through action, presence, and reinforcement of positive and professional behaviors.
  • Influence across the team to build and maintain trust between the pilot group and Horizon management by using well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, interacting in a fair and diplomatic manner, and demonstrating consistency and reliability in interactions.
  • Influence and partner with leaders both in and outside the company, including Horizon and Alaska Airlines' station and inflight leadership, to ensure the highest level of safety standards are administered.
  • Represent the company and be the point of contact for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Port, and the United States Postal Service.
  • Review, provide recommendations, and assist with the implementation of policies and procedures related to flight safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
  • Manage all delay and operation metrics for assigned domicile.
  • Attend operational meetings as required.


Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills

Required
  • 5 years professional pilot experience (with at least 3 years operating under FAA Part 121 or 135, equivalent military/other experience.)
  • 4 years of leadership experience (Pilot in Command, Captain, Check Pilot, Instructor or other.
  • Bachelor's degree, or an additional two years of experience in lieu of this degree.
  • Ability to become a line qualified pilot at Horizon.
  • Must have and be able to maintain a valid passport allowing unrestricted travel, without a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), to and from the U.S.
  • Familiarity with FAA regulations and Pilot Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with a strong technical background and expert knowledge of pilot procedures.
  • Operate well under pressure or in changing conditions, demonstrating good professional judgment, time-management and problem-solving ability.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence change and initiate actions that have strategic impact and drive a high-performance culture.
  • Outstanding communication (e.g., verbal, written, and listening) and presentation skills, with a demonstrated commitment to clear and transparent communication.
  • Able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Minimum age of 21.
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred
  • Prior experience as a Line Captain.


Job-Specific Leadership Expectations

Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.

Salary Range

$186,754-$258,031 / year

Total Target Compensation Range (incl. bonus & equity)

$242,780 - $335,441

Salary Details

The pay range and total target compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range.

Total Rewards

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

  • Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
  • Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
  • Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
  • Generous 401k match program
  • Annual bonus plans
  • Generous holiday and paid time off

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Airport SIDA Badge Requirements

Important notification for employees working at an airport or maintenance hangar: Employees will be required to obtain a SIDA badge provided by the airport authority and maintain good standing in order to keep their SIDA badge. Review the SIDA Badge Requirements document for a comprehensive overview. If an employee does not qualify for a SIDA badge or has their SIDA badge pulled from them, the employee will be terminated.

Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on

9/1/2026

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Requisition Type

Management

Location

Portland, OR - Airport

L:

#LI-B

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is a major American airline headquartered in SeaTac, Washington, within the Seattle metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest airline in North America when measured by fleet size, scheduled passengers carried, and the number of destinations served. Alaska, together with its regional partners Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines, operates a large domestic route network, primarily focused on connecting from the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, and Alaska to over one hundred destinations in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The airline operates out of five hubs, with its primary hub being at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. Alaska Airlines is a member of Oneworld, the third-largest airline alliance in the world. As of 2020, the airline employs over 16,000 people and has been ranked by J. D. Power and Associates as having the highest customer satisfaction of the traditional airlines for twelve consecutive years.
Learn more about Alaska Airlines

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