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: $100,000 - $110,000

Benefits

Employer paid health, vision, dental, and life insurance for the employee
Matching 401k up to 4%
PTO days - a maximum of 18 days per year to start
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
Assume primary responsibility for IROPS coordination and communication.
Ensure IROPS-related issues are clearly identified, delegated to appropriate functional areas, and actively managed through resolution.
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

Provide oversight of daily flight operations in accordance with 14 CFR Parts 121 and 135, Operations Specifications, and company manuals.
Ensure decisions balance safety, compliance, operational integrity, and customer impact.
Support the Daily Operations Review process and ensure issues are tracked and resolved.

· Dispatch Oversight

Provide management oversight of the Dispatch function through the Dispatch Supervisor.
Ensure dispatchers are trained, qualified, and compliant with regulatory and company requirements.
Oversee dispatcher staffing, workload management, and backup dispatch capability.

· Short-Term Scheduling Oversight

Oversee short-term crew scheduling by ensuring compliance with duty, rest, and qualification requirements.
Ensure scheduling decisions align with operational priorities and safety risk controls.

· Company Travel Oversight

Oversee company travel planning and execution for company personnel.
Ensure travel arrangements are cost-effective, reliable, and operationally appropriate.
Coordinate with Finance and Administration as required.

· Leadership and Coordination

Serve as a central coordination point between Operations, Maintenance Control, Chief Pilot, Inflight, Stations, and Safety.
Liaise with the FAA as required
Provide leadership, accountability, and performance feedback to direct reports.
Demonstrate initiative and strong organizational skills to anticipate needs and maintain continuity during periods of high workload.

· Safety, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

Support the Safety Management System by ensuring risk controls are effective.
Identify hazards, trends, and systemic issues.
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

Operational judgment and decision-making
Leadership and accountability
Cross-departmental coordination
Regulatory awareness
Strong organizational and prioritization skills
Ability to remain calm, focused, and effective during time-sensitive operational events
Self-directed work style with the ability to identify issues and act proactively
Systems-oriented thinking

Key Lime Air

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