Executive Director, Florida Center for Aviation and Aerospace

Miami Dade College

• $127K — $159K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Seven years of senior-level experience in aviation, aerospace, or career/technical education
  • Strong knowledge of aviation/aerospace programs and regulatory requirements
  • Proven leadership and strategic planning abilities
  • Excellent communication skills for diverse stakeholder interactions
  • Ability to manage budgets and interpret complex data
  • Experience in cultivating donors and industry partnerships

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and evaluation of aviation and aerospace programs aligned with industry standards
  • Position the center as a leader in academic excellence and workforce development
  • Analyze student success data to drive program improvement
  • Implement marketing campaigns targeting local and international audiences
  • Cultivate relationships with educational institutions and employers to create educational pathways
  • Secure external resources to support program innovation
  • Ensure compliance with FAA regulations and accreditation standards

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead innovative education programs in aviation and aerospace
  • Engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders in the community and industry
  • Professional development opportunities in a fast-evolving field
  • Potential to impact student success through strategic program development
  • Flexibility in work schedule including evening and weekend assignments
Full Job Description
Job Family ADMIN - Professional Exempt Contractual (PEC) Grade 20 Salary $127,563 to $159,455 Department Campus President Reports To Campus President Closing Date December 27, 2026 FLSA Status Exempt - Not Eligible for Overtime Compensation First Review Date October 6, 2026

Position Overview

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and direction for Miami Dade College's Florida Center for Aviation and Aerospace and oversees the development and delivery of innovative, industry-aligned education and workforce programs. The Executive Director leads stackable credentials, professional development, FAA licensure preparation, apprenticeships, certificates, and associate degree pathways while building partnerships with airlines, aerospace employers, aviation organizations, K-12 schools, universities, and community stakeholders. The position advances student success, program quality and continuous improvement, workforce alignment, instructional talent development, marketing and outreach, resource development, regulatory and accreditation compliance, budget and fiscal stewardship, and industry engagement to ensure programs meet evolving workforce and technology needs.

What you will be doing
  • Provides leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation and advancement of aviation and aerospace programs aligned with industry standards, workforce needs, emerging technologies, and evolving industry trends
  • Leads efforts to position the Florida Center for Aviation and Aerospace as a recognized center of academic excellence, innovation, workforce development, and industry collaboration
  • Analyzes student-success and program-performance data to evaluate outcomes and drive continuous improvement
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates marketing campaigns that reach local, statewide, and international audiences
  • Cultivates strategic relationships with K-12 schools, colleges, universities, airlines, aviation and aerospace organizations, employers and community stakeholders to create seamless educational pathways and expand student learning, career and employment opportunities
  • Identifies, develops, and secures external resources to support program growth, innovation, and student success
  • Ensures compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, accreditation standards, industry requirements, and College policies and procedures
  • Directs resource allocation and maintain sound fiscal stewardship
  • Represents the Florida Center for Aviation and Aerospace on College committees, task forces, industry groups and external forums
  • Performs other duties as assigned
What you need to succeed
  • Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution and seven (7) years of senior level experience in administrative or equivalent managerial skills in aviation, aerospace, or career and technical education
  • Knowledge of college educational philosophy and top management administrative practices and procedures
  • Comprehensive knowledge of aviation and/or aerospace programs, and regulatory requirements
  • Proven leadership and strategic-planning ability
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse stakeholders
  • Ability to manage budgets, interpret data, and optimize resources
  • Proficiency with technology used in aviation, aerospace, and administrative operations
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in fast-changing environments
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating donors and building industry partnerships
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekend assignments
  • Ability to work well with students, faculty and staff
Essential Position

This function/position has been designated as "essential." This means that when the College is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover and continue operations at the College.

Additional Requirements

The final candidate is to successfully complete a background screening and reference check process.

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