Aerospace Industries Association · 1 day ago
Vice President, Civil Aviation
DC-Baltimore Area
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expThe Aerospace Industries Association is seeking a Vice President for Civil Aviation responsible for advocating civil aviation policy issues and managing the Civil Aviation Division. The role involves strategic direction, advocacy, and outreach efforts to promote global aviation safety, competitiveness, and sustainable growth initiatives.
AssociationManufacturing
Responsibilities
Provides strategic direction for the Civil Aviation Division (50%)
Serves as a member of AIA’s Senior Leadership Team, coordinating and collaborating on enterprise-level strategic goals as they relate to key civil aviation policy priorities
Responsible for identifying, commenting, and advocating for all issues that impact the design, manufacture, and operation of transport category airplanes, rotorcraft, engines, parts and appliances. The position focuses on all aspects of civil aviation products, which requires collaboration with departments across the association
Analyzes various trends, issues, areas of concern and emerging patterns pertaining to domestic and international manufacture and operation of transport category airplanes, rotorcraft engines, parts and appliances to provide insight into future developments and to anticipate the need for association positions and actions. These areas include economic and technical trends, flight safety and regulation, aircraft environmental performance, legislative initiatives, and R&D policy
Serves as a key resource to the President & CEO, other departments, member companies, government and congressional officials, the media and the public
Advocacy & Outreach (50%)
Builds and maintains relationships with senior policy level counterparts in member companies, U.S. and foreign governments, Congress, international organizations, other associations, and academia covering technical and legislative matters to define issues and focal points
Helps drive industry consensus; drafting and refining AIA's positions on the various issues and topics under consideration and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate Congressional and agency officials and relevant private sector organizations
Provides substantive and technical expertise to the development of all civil aviation advocacy and outreach related material
Coordinates the activities of the Civil Aviation Leadership Council (“CALC” – strategic guidance body comprised of member company CEOs with civil aviation interests), as well as the committees, subcommittees and working groups established at AIA to address U.S. and international policies and regulatory issues. These councils, committees and working groups formulate industry positions to be presented to the U.S. Congress, as well as U.S., foreign, and international governmental agencies, bureaus and commissions. In addition, these groups respond to government inquiries dealing with special areas of concern that require industry input
Represents AIA at various official gatherings, organizing and chairing sessions, speaking or serving as a panelist. Works with other organizations to inform them of the AIA position on various issues and topics and occasionally provides congressional testimony
Oversees AIA’s participation in the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association and its activities at ICAO to include: coordination with the ICCAIA employees in Montreal, leaders and membership on issues of importance to AIA members; preparation of the AIA CEO for ICCAIA meetings several times per year; serve as principal POC and supervise ICCAIA Secretary during the next period of AIA Chairmanship of ICCAIA; and educate and inform AIA membership about ICCAIA actions and initiatives
Serves as representative on major government advisory boards and committees, and advises the FAA on matters related to safety of flight, aviation system capacity, and aircraft environmental performance
Responsible for proactive engagement with member companies to ensure retention of members that are focused on civil aviation issues and engagement. Responsible for recruitment of additional full member companies
Staff of 4: Senior Director of Commercial Aviation Safety & Regulatory Affairs , Senior Director of Civil Aviation Strategy, Innovation & Environmental Affairs, Senior Manager of Civil Aviation, and Coordinator for Civil Aviation & Space Programs. The Civil Aviation Division works in close coordination with the Legislative Affairs and Communications teams, which play a key role in enabling the advocacy work of the division
Qualification
Required
Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, collegiality, problem-solving, and self-motivation are necessary for success
Executive-level experience and expertise in civil aviation policy, with related political and/or media experience preferred
Proven experience serving as a member of – and key contributor to – a senior leadership team
Strategic understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process and the ability to engage and shape both environments
Minimum of five years' prior supervisory experience in an association or aerospace-related corporation
Strong interpersonal skills, as well as strong and effective written and oral skills
Demonstrated proficiency and experience in customer service with high standards of timeliness and responsiveness
Ability to effectively communicate the vision, programs and value of membership in AIA to maintain and increase membership including reaching and/or expanding into new or untapped markets
Experience in developing and managing departmental budgets
Bachelors' degree in aviation, aerospace, engineering, public policy, government or legislative affairs, or related fields or comparable work experience required
Preferred
Master's degree with business, public policy, or aerospace related fields preferred
Company
Aerospace Industries Association
The Aerospace Industries Association is the trade association representing aerospace and defense manufacturers and suppliers in the US.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Eric Fanning
President & CEO
Recent News
2025-07-30
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