Location: CRQ (Carlsbad, CA) preferred
Hybrid available based on experience
Schedule: M-F with high level /managerial oversight of evening and weekend on-call operations.
Schubach Aviation is looking for an experienced Trip Support /135 Manager to take the reins of our Trip Support team. This is a leadership opportunity for an aviation professional who has mastered the art of flight coordination, customer support and international trip planning: someone ready to build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team while staying hands-on with the complex operations that keep our aircraft moving safely and seamlessly around the world.
The ideal candidate has both deep private aviation operational expertise and proven people leadership: someone who sets the standard for flawless service, holds the team to it every day, and represents Trip Support across the company.
Responsibilities:- Lead, train, and manage the Trip Support team, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance development
- Build and maintain team structure, SOPs, and workflows that ensure consistency, accountability, and operational excellence across the trip lifecycle
- Ensure compliance with 135 Operational Control functions, ensuring full compliance with company procedures and applicable FAA regulations
- Own escalated and high-complexity trips, including international planning: overflight and landing permits, customs and immigration documentation, handling agents, country-specific entry requirements, and coordination with US Customs and foreign authorities
- Actively flight follow and support the team in flight following, anticipating and resolving disruptions in real time
- Serve as a senior point of contact for aircraft owners and passengers, delivering white-glove service and stepping in on sensitive or high-profile trips
- Review and approve flight crew briefings and client itineraries for accuracy and professionalism
- Act as the primary cross-functional liaison between Trip Support, Flight Operations, Maintenance, and Accounting
- Manage and occasionally participate in on-call coverage, ensuring the team is properly staffed and supported around the clock
- Lead the team through irregular operations, weather diversions, and last-minute changes with composure and sound judgment
- Monitor team performance, identify training gaps, and drive continuous improvement in processes and documentation
What You Bring:- Proven experience leading a team in a Part 135 operational environment
- Strong command of international aviation handling: permits, customs, handling agents, and country-specific requirements
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; you write and speak with precision and professionalism
- High interpersonal intelligence and the ability to build trust with clients, crew, and team members alike
- Ability to manage multiple complex trips and competing priorities without dropping details
- Deep familiarity with aviation operations software and trip management platforms
- A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, you bring answers, not just problems
- Calm under pressure with strong judgment on when and how to escalate
- Demonstrated ability to build and improve team processes, training programs, and documentation
Experience Required:- 5+ years in Part 135 aviation, including flight coordination and international trip support
- 3+ years experience leading or managing a team
- Demonstrated international handling experience (permits, customs, foreign handling agents)
- Dispatcher's license preferred