Flight Operations Manager

The Flight Operations Manager is a crucial position at Dendra Systems, tasked with overseeing all flight activities in the MENA region while upholding the highest safety standards and ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates. The ideal candidate will lead a dynamic team of remote pilots, both in-house and outsourced, and working with technicians, to steer the planning, execution, and analysis of flight missions across diverse projects.

In this role, you will craft and implement essential operational procedures, oversee project timelines, and collaborate with various departments to guarantee the successful delivery of UAV/flight based services. Your role will involve maintaining robust communication with clients and stakeholders, ensuring that their requirements are met and that operations run smoothly. 

This role requires a comprehensive understanding of UAV technology, operational logistics, and team dynamics. The role holder will collaborate closely with both external stakeholders and internal teams, including UAV pilots, field ecologists, maintenance engineers and GIS specialists, to ensure that the company’s mission is met with high standards of professionalism and safety.

This role entails overseeing and executing RPAS mapping data collection and aerial seeding operations across the MENA region, ensuring full compliance with all applicable regulations. Additionally, you will manage and develop the existing data capturing supply chain. As a key member of a world-class team dedicated to environmental restoration, you will utilise and contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge technology, operating powered lift and multirotor aircraft (up to 50kg) in remote and demanding locations.

The Flight Operations Manager will be instrumental in cultivating a culture of safety and continuous improvement, providing team members with training and development opportunities, and driving innovation within UAV operations. This position calls for a proactive individual with excellent leadership and strategic planning skills, capable of adapting to evolving conditions and challenges in the field.

• Lead and inspire a talented team of remote pilots and technicians to safely and effectively plan, execute, and analyse flight missions across diverse projects, while ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements.
• Craft and implement operational procedures, oversee project timelines, and collaborate with various departments to successfully deliver flight-based services; this includes flight planning, meteorological assessments, system preparation, and airspace management, all while adhering to relevant regulations and client expectations.
• Supervise RPAS mapping data collection and aerial seeding initiatives throughout the MENA region, while enhancing and nurturing the existing data capture supply chain.
• Prepare necessary project and safety documentation to operate on client sites, ensuring robust communication with clients and stakeholders to meet their needs and facilitate smooth operations.
• Cultivate a safety-first culture and drive continuous improvement by providing training, development avenues, and fostering innovation within your team.
• Operate powered lift and multirotor aircraft (up to 50kg) in remote and challenging environments, playing a crucial role in harnessing advanced technology for environmental restoration efforts.
• Collaborate closely with both the Country Manager and Group Flight Ops Development Manager to organise and execute projects as part of a cohesive small team.
• Manage flight planning, meteorology, system preparation, and airspace management, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations, client specifications, and company protocols.
• Draft and organise all project and safety documentation essential for operations at customer sites.
• Safely operate RPAS in high-safety and remote environments.
• Coordinate with the engineering team for maintenance tasks and the advancement of new systems.
• Handle post-operation management, which includes data handover and comprehensive flight documentation.
• Conduct post-operative reporting to enhance our systems as we advance.
• Perform quarterly audits of flight operations, reporting on risks, impacts, mitigations, and the continuous optimisation of processes.
• Oversee data capturing engagements with our partners to ensure high-quality data is delivered in line with set specifications.
• Facilitate the weekly data copying procedure into Dendra’s Data Center, both routinely and upon request.
• Submit all necessary Flight Operations permits, completing required payments and securing necessary approvals.
• Conduct reconnaissance missions to identify landowners and ascertain land access requirements for operational areas, working in collaboration with the Project Manager and the Government Relations Officer.
• Collaborate regularly with the Country Manager and Flight Ops Development Manager to effectively organise and deliver projects as part of a skilled small team.
• Ensure compliance in flight planning, meteorology, system preparation, and airspace management with all relevant regulations and client needs.
• Prepare all essential project and safety documentation for operations on client sites.
• Safely operate RPAS in high-risk and remote settings.
• Work alongside the engineering team to coordinate maintenance activities and drive the development of innovative systems.
• Manage post-operation processes, including data transfer and flight documentation.
• Generate post-operation reports aimed at system improvements.
• Conduct quarterly audits of flight operations, diligently reporting on risks, impacts, mitigations, and opportunities for process enhancement.
• Oversee data capturing partnerships, ensuring the delivery of top-quality data aligned with defined specifications.

• Proven leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and challenges.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with team members, clients, and stakeholders.
• Proactive and innovative approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• In-depth knowledge of UAV flight operations, safety regulations, and data collection procedures.
• Experience in managing and developing supply chains.
• Commitment to environmental restoration and a passion for utilising technology for positive impact.
• Strong understanding of regulations and licenses for flying UAVs in the UAE / Gulf region.
• Ability to build high performing relationships with all stakeholders, both internally, and on a customer site.
• Experience with aerial surveys and photogrammetry data collection.
• Excellent attention to detail, high levels of organisation, and ability to communicate effectively as part of a remote team.
• Enthusiastic attitude, and a willingness and ability to learn new skills quickly.
• Ability to manually handle heavy equipment and seed bags.
• Ability to deploy to remote customer sites, intermittently and for extended periods (up to 2 weeks).
• Ability to travel internationally, for extended periods of time for company training and onboarding.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic would be preferable.

• Share Options
• Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays
• Comprehensive Private Health Insurance
• Incentive Performance Bonus of up to 10% of basic salary
• Gratuity included
• Housing and Transport Allowances included in salary package