Development manager jobs in Knoxville, TN

Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet, the world's first single engine Personal Jet and recipient of the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) - the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed nine million hours and over 170 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has three locations in the United States, located in Duluth, Minnesota, Grand Forks, North Dakota and Knoxville, Tennessee. Find out more at ********************** Job Summary The Manager, Training Architecture leads the strategy, design, and execution of Cirrus Aircraft's global flight and maintenance training programs, ensuring they align with company goals, brand standards, and the Cirrus Approach service model. This role drives the commercialization and delivery of training products, platforms, and services-balancing innovation with operational excellence. Working closely with internal teams, external partners, and the Training/Service Network, the Manager oversees end-to-end program development using established project management methodologies. They are responsible for defining the strategic roadmap, guiding project acceptance and scope, and mentoring team members to deliver scalable, high-impact learning solutions. The ideal candidate combines proven leadership, strong project management expertise, an eye for business, and a deep understanding of aviation training to create unified, measurable, and sustainable programs that enhance performance, safety, and customer experience worldwide. This position is offered and based at Cirrus Aircraft's Vision Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, reporting to the Director of Services Training Development. Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions Program Strategy & Development * Define the Cirrus Approach training service model, ensuring training aligns with company-level goals and brand standards. * Develop the commercialization strategy for all Cirrus Approach and related training products, platforms, and services. * Lead project acceptance and scoping, including discovery, gap analysis, and cost-benefit evaluations. * Own the strategic roadmap for Cirrus Approach by anticipating future training needs and innovations. Project Management & Execution * Manage end-to-end training program design, from concept through launch, using established project management methodologies. * Manage and oversee project and sprint plans, ensuring milestones are met, budgets maintained, and priorities adapted as needed. * Mentor team members in project management best practices, enabling them to manage small-scale initiatives independently. * Communicate the business impact of training programs to all levels of leadership. Collaboration & Leadership * Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to deliver unified, high-impact training. * Lead a high-performing team with direct reports, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. * Deliver regular progress reports and data-driven insights on training effectiveness. Operational Support * Travel up to 25% domestically and internationally. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Required * Bachelor's degree in business, digital business strategy, educational technology & innovation or related field; Master's degree preferred. * Minimum 8 years of experience in roles related to training business development, learning enablement, or business operations-including at least 5 years of demonstrated success in designing, launching, or scaling training programs that support business outcomes such as revenue growth, customer satisfaction, performance improvement, or operational efficiency Minimum 3 years leading a team with direct reports. * Proven success managing multiple complex projects in fast-paced environments. * Exceptional communication skills for both operational and executive-level interactions. * Strong business acumen and ability to translate strategic objectives into practical, high-impact training initiatives. * Strong ability to balance quality with efficiency and cost control. Preferred * Experience in both agile and waterfall project management. * History of building and mentoring high-performing teams. * Demonstrated ability to link learning solutions directly to business outcomes. Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: * Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. * Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. * Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes, contradictory information to effectively solve problems. * Strategic Mindset: Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. * Manages Conflict: Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise. * Organizational Savvy: Maneuvers comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics. Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including: * 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting. * Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance. * Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options. * Free Health Tracking: With rewards for meeting health goals. * Generous PTO: 160 + hours accrued within the first year. * Employee Referral Bonus: For referring talented candidates. * Career Development: Tuition reimbursement and professional growth opportunities. * Exclusive Discounts: Access to partner and marketplace discounts. * Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required. Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.