Responsible for managing the global permit acquisition operation for Atlas Air and Polar Air, ensuring the timely and accurate procurement of overfly and landing permits for cargo and charter flights. This position also handles the acquisition of government authorizations for military passenger and cargo operations by leveraging the Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) and the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS). The role involves direct coordination with global regulatory agencies, civil aviation authorities, and military entities to maintain full compliance and operational readiness. Additionally, the Manager develops and executes strategies for effective government engagement, legislative tracking, and regulatory advocacy in support of corporate objectives.

• Manage the end-to-end process for securing international overfly and landing permits for commercial operations, including short-notice and complex routings.
• Use the Government APACS (Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System) to acquire necessary government permits; consult the Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) for lead times and hazardous material guidelines.
• Collaborate with internal teams (flight dispatch, legal, planning) to ensure smooth permit execution for scheduled and on-demand operations.
• Maintain current knowledge of changes in aviation regulations, diplomatic protocols, and permitting requirements globally.
• Partner with internal teams including Flight Operations, Network Planning, Legal, and Security to ensure operational requirements are supported by necessary permits and government relations efforts.
• Provide guidance to operations teams on permit-related contingencies or regulatory risks.
• Liaise with federal, state, U.S. Embassies and military Points of Contact (POCs) to ensure time-sensitive permits are processed effectively.
• Oversee and evaluate the performance of external vendors used for permit acquisition to ensure operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Solve multiple permit and routing issues simultaneously to support requests from Marketing, Sales, and the Operations Control Center (OCC).
• Provide timely recommendations and solutions for disruptions related to permits and routing issues.
• Liaise with the System Operations Manager (SOM) and other internal stakeholders to resolve urgent or last-minute permit concerns.
• Maintain and update the permit database within the flight planning system to ensure 100 availability and compliance.
• Build, maintain, and store approved routes for Dispatch, including military arrivals and departures.
• Ensure changes to aircraft or assigned programs are accurately reflected in permit planning and systems.

• High School or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, or related field. preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in aviation regulatory compliance, dispatch, permitting, or government affairs, preferably in a global airline or air cargo environment.
• Strong knowledge of international aviation permits, FAA regulations, and military charter protocols.
• Experience using the FCG and APACS systems for securing military-related permits.
• Must have complete knowledge of ICAO documents including but not limited to manuals pertaining to Slot request (SSIM), International Rules of the Air, Foreign Clearance Guide and the International Flight Information Manual.
• Familiarity with bilateral agreements, diplomatic clearances, and international civil aviation protocols.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks in a fast-paced operational setting.
• S. citizenship may be required for access to certain government systems or permits.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with or for a government or military agency.
• FAA Aircraft Dispatcher or Pilot License
• Understanding of export controls, flight planning systems, and government contracting processes.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions under pressure.
• Multilingual capabilities are a plus.

Working Conditions:

• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required, maybe at the last minute.
• Must be available for 24/7 on-call support during irregular hours to manage urgent permit or government liaison issues.

Salary Range: $75,000-$107,000

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