Director, Public Safety Operations

About The Role:

The Director, Public Safety Operations leads Draganfly’s Public Safety operations across the United States and Canada, reporting to the Director, UAS Programs. You’ll oversee the US and Canada Program Directors, who manage customer execution within their respective countries, including training, program development, deployment, and sustainment for Drone as a First Responder (DFR) and tactical UAS systems.

You’ll set operational priorities, allocate resources, and hold country teams accountable for delivery and customer outcomes. Working directly with the Public Safety Director of Sales, you’ll align customer commitments with operational capacity and ensure an efficient transition from sales through program delivery and ongoing support.

This is a full-time, remote position requiring frequent domestic and international travel (30–50%) across North America to customer sites, partner engagements, and industry events.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Operational Planning

• Lead and develop US and Canada Program Directors, setting shared priorities and standards that support local customer and regulatory needs.
• Plan staffing, budgets, and resources to meet customer commitments and program growth; oversee delivery, training quality, readiness, and budget performance.
• Develop North American operating plans with Sales and the Public Safety Board of Advisors; review pipeline, capacity, risks, and expansion opportunities.

Program Delivery, Compliance & Training

• Oversee DFR and tactical UAS programs from onboarding and training through deployment, sustainment, and expansion.
• Improve delivery standards, SOPs, training curricula, and support processes to strengthen customer adoption and operational readiness.
• Coordinate personnel, equipment, and support resources; resolve competing priorities and senior-level customer escalations.
• Work with country teams and Flight Operations to maintain documentation and meet safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.

Sales Alignment, Customer Engagement & Product Feedback

• Partner with Sales on proposals, scope, schedules, and handoffs, ensuring customer commitments are operationally achievable.
• Represent Draganfly with strategic customers and partners, providing expertise in DFR, remote operations, and tactical deployments.
• Turn field insights and customer feedback into delivery and training improvements; route capability gaps and mission needs to Product and follow through on customer communications.
• Identify partner and support needs with Sales and Product, and guide new programs, service offerings, and geographic expansion.

Who are you really?

• You’re adaptable and comfortable wearing many hats in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• You’re dependable, with a strong work ethic and the ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet goals within tight timelines.
• You’re detail-oriented, think critically about challenges, and design efficient, effective solutions.
• You collaborate with peers and supervisors and plan, organize, schedule, and budget efficiently, focusing on key priorities.
• You communicate clearly and concisely, set direction, and develop country Program Directors while working effectively with executives, customers, and field teams.

Qualifications:

• Transport Canada Remote Pilot Certificate or FAA Part 107 equivalent (required).
• 10+ years in UAS operations, program management, or product application, with a military, public safety, or enterprise background; 5+ years leading people, including managers or senior program leaders.
• Experience leading distributed teams, managing customer programs, budgets, and resources, and partnering with Sales on achievable commitments.
• Experience overseeing public safety UAS training, program development, deployment, and sustainment, including DFR and tactical systems.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to develop leaders, translate strategy into operating plans, and drive customer outcomes.
• Knowledge of Canadian and US public safety UAS integration and compliance requirements, MAVLink-based systems, and emerging UAS technologies.
• Proficiency with HubSpot, Teams, and SharePoint for sales handoffs and program coordination.
• Ability to lift and transport UAS equipment up to 55 lbs. and work outdoors in varied weather and austere field environments for short-term testing and demonstrations as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Both Transport Canada Remote Pilot Certificate and FAA Part 107 certification.
• Senior law enforcement leadership overseeing personnel, budgets, readiness, specialized units, and agency-wide public safety or tactical programs.
• Experience building and expanding DFR or remote operations programs, including staffing, policies, training, funding, risk management, and performance evaluation.
• Interagency and community stakeholder engagement, plus public safety technology adoption, procurement, and organizational change experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and transport UAS equipment (up to 55 lbs)
• Comfortable working outdoors in varied weather conditions
• Ability to handle austere field environments for testing and demos as required (short-term)
• Ability to pass background checks required for certain government engagements as required

Compensation Package:

• Competitive salary: $130,000 – $150,000 USD
• Health Coverage Reimbursement: We reimburse the cost of your existing or preferred healthcare plan (amount varies depending on family size).
• 401(k) program with employer matching
• Generous time-off program, including vacation, wellness days, and the week off between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Professional development support, including assistance in obtaining or maintaining role-relevant certifications (e.g., FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, where applicable)

Why Join Us?

At Draganfly Innovations, you’ll join a collaborative team that values innovation, curiosity, and continuous improvement. We’re in an exciting growth phase, scaling our technologies, product lines, and teams as we continue to shape the future of UAV innovation. Joining us now means becoming part of a company with deep roots in the industry - and bold ambitions for what comes next.

You’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, work on diverse and cutting‑edge projects, and grow your skills alongside passionate experts. We offer competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter. Here, you won’t just join a company - you’ll help build what comes next.

As part of our hiring process, all candidates must successfully complete reference checks and a criminal background check.