Description

Dean, College of Aeronautics
Florida Institute of Technology
Position Description

About the Position

Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), a private research university located on Florida’s Space Coast, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Aeronautics (COA). Founded to educate the pioneers of the U.S. space program, Florida Tech is deeply rooted in a culture of technological excellence, hands-on learning, and industry engagement. Today, the university continues this legacy through rigorous degree programs in engineering, science, computing, aeronautics, business, psychology, and related disciplines.

Florida Tech seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative Dean to lead the success, growth, and future of the College of Aeronautics. Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide strategic leadership across academic programs, the Florida Tech Flight School, flight operations, research, faculty development, student success initiatives, fundraising, and industry partnerships.

The successful candidate will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, leading a multidisciplinary faculty and professional staff while fostering innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening aviation and aerospace partnerships, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, accreditation, and regulatory compliance across both academic and flight operations.

College of Aeronautics

The College of Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology is recognized as one of the nation’s leading university-based aviation programs and is committed to educating the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals. The College offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs in areas including aeronautical science, aviation management, aviation human factors and safety, aviation meteorology, air traffic control, aviation safety, and aviation sciences. The College also offers flight training opportunities through the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research and maintains multiple programs accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

The College of Aeronautics is distinguished by its hands-on, industry-focused approach to education, providing students with access to state-of-the-art simulation technologies, advanced laboratories, and modern aircraft fleets. Faculty members are experienced scholars and aviation professionals who engage students in research, experiential learning, and professional development opportunities that prepare graduates for leadership roles across the global aviation industry. Located on Florida’s Space Coast near major aerospace, government, and aviation organizations, the College provides students and faculty with extensive opportunities for collaboration, internships, and applied research.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess:

• An earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution in aeronautics, aviation, aerospace, engineering, human factors, management, or a closely related discipline.
• Scholarly, professional, practice-based, and service achievements meriting appointment at the rank of Professor within the College of Aeronautics.
• A distinguished record of academic, professional, and administrative accomplishment.
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, including program-level, departmental, collegiate, or university-level strategic planning and decision-making.

In addition, the successful candidate will have the following preferred qualifications:

• Progressive academic leadership experience, with prior service as a dean, associate dean, department chair, director of flight operations, or comparable leadership role strongly preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and consensus-building skills.
• Proven success in fundraising, external partnership development, and alumni engagement.
• Experience collaborating with industry, government agencies, military partners, and international aviation organizations.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in aviation accreditation, safety, and regulatory environments, including FAA-related programs, compliance frameworks, flight education, as well as flight operations and flightline management.
• Record of managing faculty and successful in faculty recruitment, retention, and mentoring.
• Experience with emerging technologies, future air mobility, unmanned systems, spaceflight interfaces, and innovation ecosystems.
• Professional aviation credentials, flight experience, flight line management and maintenance or related certifications.

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the College of Aeronautics.
• Oversee curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement across undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Ensure academic quality, innovation, and alignment with workforce and industry needs.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the college and across Florida Tech.
• Ensure programs maintain appropriate academic accreditations and certifications.
• Provide direct supervisory oversight of the Florida Tech Flight School, including its leadership, organizational structure, and alignment with the academic mission of the College of Aeronautics.

Faculty and Staff Management

• Lead recruitment, retention, evaluation, and professional development of faculty and staff.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and support faculty promotion and tenure processes.
• Facilitate mentoring and leadership development for junior and mid-career faculty.
• Promote collegial, inclusive, and high-performing academic culture.

Research, Innovation, and Professional Practice

• Champion applied research, scholarship, and professional practice aligned with aviation and aerospace priorities.
• Support faculty in securing external funding and developing industry-supported initiatives.
• Promote undergraduate and graduate student engagement in applied research, safety, and operational projects.
• Encourage innovation, technology adoption, and experiential learning opportunities.

Flight Operations, Safety, and Compliance

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight of the Florida Tech Flight School, including academic alignment, operational performance, and safety culture.
• Ensure excellence in Safety Management Systems (SMS) and continuous improvement of flight training, simulation, and operational infrastructure.
• Ensure full compliance with FAA regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional risk-management requirements.
• Oversee alignment of flight training capacity, fleet planning, staffing, and instructional quality with enrollment and academic priorities.
• Ensure the Flight School’s strategic, financial, and operational integration with college-wide planning, enrollment management, academic outcomes, and long-term sustainability.

Financial and Administrative Leadership

• Manage college budget, resources, and enrollment planning effectively.
• Oversee flight school financial performance, fleet acquisition and lifecycle planning, facilities, and capital initiatives in coordination with university leadership.
• Collaborate with university advancement to develop and implement fundraising strategies.
• Maintain a portfolio of donors and corporate partners in aviation and aerospace sectors.

External Relations and Engagement

• Serve as the chief representative of the College of Aeronautics to external constituencies.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with aviation and aerospace industry partners, government agencies, alumni, and professional organizations.
• Enhance student recruitment, retention, and post-graduate placement efforts.
• Engage in professional and continuing education initiatives aligned with industry needs.

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Tech is a private, fully accredited, doctoral-granting research university and the only independent technological university in the Southeastern United States. The university offers more than 200 degree programs across science, engineering, aeronautics, business, psychology, liberal arts, and related fields.

Florida Tech is classified as an R2 (High Research Activity) institution with significant sponsored research funding from agencies such as the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and NASA. The university’s student body represents more than 80 countries, and Florida Tech is nationally recognized for fostering international student success.

Located on a 130-acre subtropical campus in Melbourne, Florida—minutes from the Atlantic Ocean—the university is at the center of Florida’s Space Coast, home to a vibrant aerospace, defense, and high-technology ecosystem.

Application Process

The Search Advisory Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, please submit application materials by Wednesday, August 19, 2026. All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

Applications should include: a comprehensive letter of interest addressing qualifications and vision for the College, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for five professional references.

Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to:

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Scott Gaffney, Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804-1996 ext. 111
janderson@parkersearch.com || sgaffney@parkersearch.com

Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Florida Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the Non- Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator at 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, or email kgarrett@fit.edu, or +1 321-674-7153; or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.