Director, FAA Training Programs

Purpose of Position

The Director, FAA Training Programs Program is a senior role responsible for comprehensive oversight and direction and leadership of business development, capture, and proposal activities supporting the pursuit of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Controller (ATC) training programs. Following program award, this role will shift to lead Program Management responsibilities for this key area as well. This role requires extensive experience within the FAA ecosystem, deep understanding of ATC training methodologies, and proven expertise in managing complex relationships with federal agencies, prime contractors, subcontractors, and labor unions. The role will lead integrated project teams, manage consultant networks, and drive strategic growth initiatives while ensuring operational excellence across all program phases from opportunity identification through contract negotiations and program execution.   

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct strategic market analysis including competitive landscape assessment, customer needs analysis, and growth opportunity identification aligned to winning strategy
• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies for FAA ATC Controller training programs and related aviation training markets.
• Review bid opportunities and make recommendations for bid/no-bid decisions with supporting rationale
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with key industry players, technology providers, and training organizations.
• Lead long-term strategic planning initiatives and market positioning strategies for a sustainable competitive advantage.
• Lead and direct capture planning process, strategic teaming, and partnership decisions for major program opportunities including initial opportunity assessment, competitive analysis, and proposal strategy development and execution.
• Lead proposal review processes including strategy reviews, outline reviews, and final proposal evaluations.
• Serve as primary interface with senior FAA leadership to establish and maintain relationships with key decision makers across FAA headquarters, regional offices, and training facilities including training division directors and program managers
• Maintain ongoing relationships with FAA Academy leadership, Terminal Radar Approach Control facility managers, and Air Route Traffic Control Center supervisors.
• Lead technical solution development processes in collaboration with engineering, training development, and operations teams.
• Advocate for and support implementation of innovation initiatives including emerging technology integration, training methodology advancement, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Oversee proposal quality assurance processes including compliance verification, technical accuracy validation, and presentation optimization.
• Provide executive review and guidance for all proposal sections including technical approach, management plan, past performance, and cost/price volumes.
• Manage proposal development schedules and critical path activities to ensure on-time, compliant submissions.
• Oversee subcontractor and consultant integration including teaming agreement execution, work allocation, and deliverable coordination.
• Establish and maintain network of specialized consultants including former FAA personnel, subject matter experts, and industry specialists.
• Integrate lessons learned from current programs into future business development and capture strategies.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, or related degree/experience.
• Advanced degree in business with coursework in strategy is preferred.

Minimum Experience

• 10+ years of successful experience in Federal Program/Capture or similar discipline
• Proven ability to lead and develop direct reports as well as cross-functional resources
• Seven years of experience in account management, preferably in simulation, visual systems, defense, or aerospace. 
• Deep understanding of military aviation training requirements, procurement processes, and proposal development. Strong technical aptitude with ability to grasp complex simulation technologies. Experience managing long sales cycles and multi-stakeholder relationships.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to fluently read, write, speak, and understand English. 
• Excellent communication abilities across technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to develop and implement solutions.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with stakeholders, manage conflicts, and reach mutually beneficial agreements.
• Identify potential risks, assess their impact, and develop viable mitigation strategies.
• Manage deadlines, set realistic timelines, and prioritize tasks.
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Manage budgets, track expenses, and make informed decisions about resource allocation. 
• Inspire and motivate team members to perform at their best and achieve project goals.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to sit, use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The teammate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The teammate must have close and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.