Job Description

Position Summary

The Assistant Chief Pilot serves as the operational deputy to the Chief Pilot and supports the leadership, administration, and execution of flight department activities. This role helps maintain safe, compliant, precise, and customer-focused flight operations while providing leadership continuity when delegated by the Chief Pilot. The position is designed for a pilot leader who can support crew development, training oversight, regulatory compliance, operational standardization, and continuous improvement while upholding Constellation Brands values of safety, precision, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Promote and uphold the highest standards of aviation safety in every operational decision.

• Ensure flight operations comply with FAA regulations, company policies, the Aviation Operations Manual, standard operating procedures, and applicable safety standards.

• Support Safety Management System initiatives, risk management practices, and incident, accident, hazard, and occurrence reporting processes.

Flight Operations Leadership

• Assist the Chief Pilot in overseeing and executing daily flight operations.

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and operational support to pilots and flight crews.

• Serve as the operational leader in the Chief Pilot's absence when responsibilities are delegated.

Training and Crew Development

• Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of approved flight crew training programs.

• Help ensure pilot qualifications, certifications, training records, and operational readiness remain current.

• Support pilot onboarding, professional development, and leadership continuity within the flight department.

Operational Excellence and Precision

• Support development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standard operating procedures.

• Coordinate with scheduling, maintenance, and flight operations stakeholders to support efficient and reliable aircraft utilization.

• Drive consistency, attention to detail, and disciplined execution across flight operations.

Customer Service and Passenger Experience

• Foster a service-oriented culture focused on a safe, seamless, discreet, and professional travel experience.

• Build trust with internal customers, passengers, company leadership, and cross-functional partners.

• Ensure flight department interactions reflect professionalism, responsiveness, and hospitality.

Administrative and Leadership Support

• Maintain and support accurate operational records, pilot records, and required documentation.

• Assist with audits, inspections, regulatory reviews, and internal projects.

• Assume duties and responsibilities delegated by the Chief Pilot.

Role Model and Professional Standards

• Hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, precision, and accountability.

• Lead by example and consistently do things the right way, even when no one is watching.

• Model the behaviors expected of the flight department, including discipline, integrity, preparation, and respect for passengers, peers, and company leadership.

Core Competencies:

Accelerate Impact

• Challenges old ways and tries more efficient approaches.

• Balances workload, urgency, and business needs.

• Sets clear priorities and removes barriers.

• Models disciplined execution and accountability.

• Supports safe, reliable, efficient flight operations.

• Improves performance and operational readiness.

• Delivers business value through disciplined execution.

Be Inclusive

• Encourages idea-sharing and respectful debate.

• Ensures everyone feels heard and included.

• Promotes collaboration and resolves conflict fairly.

• Recognizes team contributions and customer impact.

• Builds trust across operations and partners.

• Listens to and respects different perspectives.

• Creates a valued, supported team environment.

Communicate Effectively

• Communicates expectations, priorities, and feedback.

• Creates open dialogue and constructive feedback.

• Shares accurate information to keep alignment.

• Uses facts and stories to guide and influence.

• Communicates clearly in routine and high-pressure situations.

• Ensures safety priorities and changes are understood.

• Provides timely follow-up with the right information.

Develop Self and Others

• Creates and acts on a development plan.

• Supports team growth plans and careers.

• Solicits feedback and provides coaching.

• Recognizes strengths and celebrates wins.

• Models learning and high professional standards.

• Coaches and mentors pilots and team members.

• Strengthens capability through feedback and guidance.

Embrace Change

• Adjusts plans quickly as demands change.

• Guides and supports the team through change.

• Encourages new ideas and smart risks.

• Models resilience during uncertainty.

• Responds positively to evolving needs and priorities.

• Helps the team adapt while maintaining standards.

• Models resilience and steady leadership.

Non-Flying Contribution Expectations

When not assigned to flight duty, the Assistant Chief Pilot is expected to dedicate approximately 10 – 20 hours per week to contributing at the highest level of the aviation department. This non-flying time should be focused on leadership, operational excellence, safety, training, customer service, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen the overall performance of Flight Operations.

• Support the Chief Pilot with department priorities, operational planning, and execution of flight operations objectives.

• Review and improve procedures, training materials, pilot readiness, and operational documentation.

• Advance safety initiatives, risk management practices, and proactive reporting culture.

• Mentor pilots and reinforce expectations for professionalism, precision, customer service, and accountability.

• Contribute to projects, audits, process improvements, and cross-functional coordination with Scheduling and Maintenance.

Required Qualifications

• Current FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.

• Minimum 4,000 total flight hours, including 2,500 hours as Pilot-in-Command.

• Four to six years of related aviation experience.

• Must hold at least one jet type rating.

• Ability to be away from home for extended periods of time to support domestic and international operations.

• Valid U.S. Passport and valid Drivers License.

• Ability to reside within one hour of Rochester International Airport (KROC)

• Ability to successfully complete background investigation and pre-employment drug screening.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Aviation Operations Manual, training manuals, standard operating procedures, company check pilot manual if applicable, and civil aviation regulations and standards.

• Must have attended approved simulator training in the jet aircraft the pilot is type rated in within the previous 12 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred qualifications of one of the following: bachelor's degree, associate degree in Aviation Management, or NBAA Certified Aviation Manager certification.

• Gulfstream G280 and/or GVII type rating(s) preferred.

• International Flight experience preferred.

• Experience in IS-BAO and/or Safety Management System (SMS) environments preferred.

• Previous flight instruction experience and/or possession of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate preferred.

Role Theme
Lead through service, execute with precision, and ensure safety remains the foundation of every operation.

Assistant Chief Pilot Role Statement
The Assistant Chief Pilot supports the Chief Pilot by providing operational leadership, developing flight crews, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing a culture of safety, precision, and exceptional customer service throughout the aviation department. The role also serves as a visible role model by holding themselves to the highest standards and doing things the right way in every aspect of the operation.

Location

Rochester, New York

Additional Locations

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Aviation

The salary range for this role is:

$261,300.00 - $353,600.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the prevailing minimum wage for the location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.  At Constellation Brands, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).