Airline Operations Manager

Key Lime Air Operations Manager

Key Lime Air is a growing regional airline based at Centennial Airport in Englewood, CO with over 27 years in the aviation industry as a Part 121 and Part 135 air carrier. Its operations include cargo, private/VIP charters, and scheduled passenger service under the Denver Air Connection brand.

Location: 13252 E. Control Tower Rd, Englewood, CO 80102

Salary: $95,000 - $105,000

Benefits

o Employer paid health, vision, dental, and life insurance for the employee

o Matching 401k up to 4%

o PTO days - a maximum of 18 days per year to start

o Flight benefits through ZED program

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for oversight of the airline's flight operations support functions at the system-management level, setting expectations, supervising execution, resolving disruptions, and ensuring that operational controls function as designed. The role is well suited for a highly organized, self-directed professional who is comfortable prioritizing competing demands, maintaining situational awareness, and exercising sound judgment in a fast-paced operational environment.

The position provides leadership of Dispatch, short-term crew scheduling, and company travel, ensuring reliability, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional coordination with Operations and Maintenance Departments, especially during Irregular Operations (IROPS). IROPS refers to unplanned disruptions to normal operations - such as weather, maintenance, crew availability, or air traffic constraints - and focuses on maintaining safety, compliance, and operational continuity while minimizing system impacts.

Core Responsibilities

· Irregular Operations (IROPS) Leadership and Communication

o Assume primary responsibility for IROPS coordination and communication.

o Ensure IROPS-related issues are clearly identified, delegated to appropriate functional areas, and actively managed through resolution.

o Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of IROPS responses through post-event review, identification of systemic issues, and implementation of corrective actions.

· Operational Control and Execution

o Provide oversight of daily flight operations in accordance with 14 CFR Parts 121 and 135, Operations Specifications, and company manuals.

o Ensure decisions balance safety, compliance, operational integrity, and customer impact.

o Support the Daily Operations Review process and ensure issues are tracked and resolved.

· Dispatch Oversight

o Provide management oversight of the Dispatch function through the Dispatch Supervisor.

o Ensure dispatchers are trained, qualified, and compliant with regulatory and company requirements.

o Oversee dispatcher staffing, workload management, and backup dispatch capability.

· Short-Term Scheduling Oversight

o Oversee short-term crew scheduling by ensuring compliance with duty, rest, and qualification requirements.

o Ensure scheduling decisions align with operational priorities and safety risk controls.

· Company Travel Oversight

o Oversee company travel planning and execution for company personnel.

o Ensure travel arrangements are cost-effective, reliable, and operationally appropriate.

o Coordinate with Finance and Administration as required.

· Leadership and Coordination

o Serve as a central coordination point between Operations, Maintenance Control, Chief Pilot, Inflight, Stations, and Safety.

o Liaise with the FAA as required

o Provide leadership, accountability, and performance feedback to direct reports.

o Demonstrate initiative and strong organizational skills to anticipate needs and maintain continuity during periods of high workload.

· Safety, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

o Support the Safety Management System by ensuring risk controls are effective.

o Identify hazards, trends, and systemic issues.

o Support audits, evaluations, and corrective actions.

Authority

The Operations Manager is delegated authority to direct day-to-day operational support functions, resolve operational issues, and recommend process improvements under the oversight of the Vice President of Operations.

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in aviation, Operations Management, or related field, or equivalent experience.

· Five or more years of airline operational experience.

· Demonstrated leadership experience.

· Working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 121, 135 and 117.

Preferred Qualifications

· Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate is strongly preferred.

· Prior experience as an Operations Manager, Dispatch Supervisor, or Operation Control Center Manager.

Key Competencies

o Operational judgment and decision-making

o Leadership and accountability

o Cross-departmental coordination

o Regulatory awareness

o Strong organizational and prioritization skills

o Ability to remain calm, focused, and effective during time-sensitive operational events

o Self-directed work style with the ability to identify issues and act proactively

o Systems-oriented thinking

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95, $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person