Join Our Team at Wheels Up  

At Wheels Up, we're proud to be a global leader in on-demand private aviation. As one of the largest companies in the industry and a strategic partner of Delta Air Lines – we are committed to making private air travel safe, reliable, and enjoyable. With a diverse fleet of owned aircraft plus a global network of trusted charter operators, we offer our customers access to the right aircraft for their needs and the ability to fly on their terms.  

And it doesn’t stop at private flights. Wheels Up also provides freight services, safety and security solutions, and managed services to individuals, businesses, government agencies, and more. Regardless of how, when or where you want to fly, our mission is simple; deliver a premium, personalized aviation experience for every customer.  

We anticipate closing applications submissions for this role on 10/5/2025. If the deadline is extended, we will update this job posting accordingly. 

Role Overview: What You’ll Be Doing 

In this role, the Director, Operations Strategy & Program Management leads operational strategy and drives cross-functional programs that enhance efficiency, enable transformation, and deliver sustainable growth. This role oversees strategic initiatives, the program management office (PMO), and its direct-report team, providing leadership in project delivery, change management, and internal consulting for executive stakeholders. By aligning strategic priorities with program execution, training, and documentation, while leveraging data-driven insights and process improvements, the Sr. Director ensures measurable business impact and operational excellence. 

The Director develops and executes operations strategy by identifying opportunities for improvement, leading cross-functional integrations, and implementing initiatives that strengthen operational performance and build a world-class operations platform for Wheels Up. This includes oversight of all program and project management activities within the Operations PMO, where the Sr. Director establishes clear governance, ensures effective resource allocation, and manages the full lifecycle of initiatives from strategy to execution to measurable outcomes. Initiatives may include technology implementations, operational process improvements, and cross-departmental alignments across all functions of the Operations Department. 

In addition, the Director serves as an internal consultant to executive leadership, guiding change management, preparing executive-level presentations, formal communications, managing documentation and training, and ensuring new initiatives are successfully adopted and sustained across the organization. This consultative function bridges operations with Finance, Procurement, and other corporate teams to secure alignment, optimize budgets, and maximize the impact of strategic programs 

Your Key Responsibilities (Essential Functions) 

• Develop and execute operational strategies that enhance efficiency, improve performance, and create a world-class operations platform for Wheels Up. 

• Advise executive leadership on operational strategy, resource allocation, and prioritization of initiatives to ensure alignment with enterprise goals and measurable business outcomes. 

• Partner with executive leadership to shape operational priorities, guide decision-making on key initiatives, and drive alignment across the enterprise. 

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior executives, translating operational insights into enterprise- wide priorities and actionable initiatives. 

• Lead major strategic initiatives and operational integrations, including cross-functional process alignment and Air Carrier Programs. 

• Oversee the Operations Project Management Office (PMO), including development of the PMO philosophy and framework, intake and prioritization of initiatives, direct supervision of its project management team, and coordination of cross-functional projects. 

• Establish clear project governance, resource allocation, and performance measurement processes to ensure initiatives deliver measurable outcomes. 

• Support the creation and maintenance of the Operations Flight Plan and annual Roadmap to track and communicate strategic priorities and progress.  

• Drive a full lifecycle approach for all initiatives—strategy development, program execution, communication, training, documentation, and analytics-driven performance evaluation.  

• Serve as an internal consultant to Operations leadership, providing data-driven insights, business case development, and resource modeling to support decision-making.  

• Partner with Finance, Procurement, Product, IT, and other corporate teams to align initiatives, manage budgets, and ensure operational investments deliver value.  

• Lead change management, training, and documentation efforts to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of new processes and technologies.  

• Prepare executive level presentations, dashboards, and analytical reports to communicate initiative impact and operational performance.  

• Manage internal communications for Operations initiatives, ensuring stakeholders across departments are informed, aligned, and engaged in strategic programs.  

• Interface with the FAA and other regulatory bodies on strategic initiatives, representing Operations in discussions related to compliance, program development, and integration efforts. 

• Manage the technical publications function, including oversight of content lifecycle, compliance with regulatory standards, and alignment with operational requirements.  

• Oversee the technical publications budget and provide regular updates to executive stakeholders on key initiatives, milestones, and business impact. 

What You Bring to the Table: Education & Certification Requirements 

We’re looking for someone who has a unique mix of experience, skills, and passion for what we do:  

• Master’s degree in Management, Operations, Statistics, Aviation, or a related discipline required; MBA preferred. 

• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive aviation leadership experience, including at least 5 years in strategy, project management, or corporate program leadership. 

The Extras We Value (Preferred Requirements) 

While not mandatory, here are some additional things that would make you stand out: 

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, fostering collaboration and accountability across a matrixed organization. 

• Highly analytical and data-driven, with the ability to translate complex quantitative data into actionable insights and polished presentations for audiences from front-line employees to board members. 

• Skilled in strategic planning, operational execution, and cross-functional leadership, with a track record of driving measurable operational improvements and successful integrations. 

• Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams and executive leaders. 

• Experienced in liaising with internal and external partners, including Finance, Procurement, IT, vendors, and regulatory authorities, to support strategic initiatives.  

• Proficient in FAA regulations and guidance, ensuring operational programs align with applicable regulatory requirements.  

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex initiatives and programs simultaneously, maintaining oversight and delivering results under changing priorities.  

• Technically proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Visio, Project) and Tableau, with working knowledge of SQL and Business Intelligence/Data Warehousing concepts and software.  

• Familiar with aviation and enterprise systems, including Flight Management Software, Maintenance Tracking (CAMP), MRO Software (Corridor), Customer Relationship Management systems (Salesforce), and Comply365.  

• Flexible and adaptable, with a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence in operational performance and customer service. 

What We Offer: Salary Range & Benefits 

At Wheels Up, we believe in fair compensation based on experience, skills, and qualifications.  

The salary for this role ranges from $165,000/Yr.-$220,000 /Yr., depending on a variety of factors. We don’t typically start individuals at the top of the salary range; your place within the range is based on what you bring to the table. Additionally, you may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program, which rewards individual and organizational performance. 

We also offer a range of benefits designed to support your well-being and personal life, including: 

• Tuition Reimbursement 

• Competitive 401(k) 

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

• Complimentary access to mental health and wellness counseling through Spring Health 

• Financial planning assistance through WellCents 

• A variety of additional programs and services in support of your total well-being  

Everyone is welcome here 

Each of us is unique, and that’s what makes us amazing. We believe there’s power in bringing people with different backgrounds, points of view and life experiences together. So, bring yourself and your best ideas.  

Wheels Up is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees. It is our policy to apply recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation and professional development practices and make all other employment decisions without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age , disability,  genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. 

Because when we feel safe and comfortable being ourselves, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. 

Need Accommodations? 

If you have a disability or are a disabled veteran and need assistance with applying, please reach out to us at hr@wheelsup.com. Simply include “Accommodation Request” in the subject line so we can quickly address your needs. 

We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to the Wheels Up journey!