Director of Maintenance, Special Missions in Bournemouth

Director of Maintenance, Special Missions in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
A

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead maintenance operations for Special Missions, ensuring aircraft availability and service delivery.
  • Company: Gama Aviation, a diverse company making a real impact in aviation and beyond.
  • Benefits: Competitive pension, life assurance, healthcare, and training opportunities.
  • Other info: Opportunities for travel and personal growth in a fast-paced environment.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a difference in mission-critical aviation services.
  • Qualifications: Experience in aviation maintenance and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Due to continued growth within our MRO and Special Missions business units, we are pleased to invite candidates to apply for the position of Director of Maintenance, Special Missions. Based at either our Bournemouth or Gloucester site, with regular travel to Special Mission maintenance locations, this role will provide commercial, operational and technical leadership of our Special Missions maintenance contracts. The role ensures effective service delivery, contractual aircraft availability, financial performance and operational efficiency across the fleet. Working closely with Account Managers and Engineering leadership, the postholder will provide strategic oversight of maintenance planning, resource alignment and service delivery to ensure safe, sustainable delivery and customer confidence in line with contractual and budgetary expectations.

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Maintenance Planning: Own and produce short and long term rolling maintenance plans for the Special Missions fleet. Align maintenance capacity, workforce planning and resource allocation to forecast demand. Support long term planning to ensure operational resilience and customer continuity.
  • Operational Leadership & Service Delivery: Daily oversight of Special Mission fleet activity in close collaboration with Base Maintenance Managers. Ensure aircraft availability meets or exceeds contractual SLAs. Work closely with Account Managers to protect contract performance and customer relationships for Special Missions fleet. Ensure effective engineering service delivery through close collaboration and coordination between Planning, Supply Chain, Resource and operational teams. Drive alignment between CAMO and MRO to optimise maintenance programme planning, reliability and service improvements. Identify operational risks and delivery constraints and implement corrective actions where required. Develop, promote and ensure adherence to Gama Part 145 requirements and Health & Safety policies. Provide senior level oversight to ensure daily operations remain aligned with regulatory frameworks.
  • Commercial & Financial Performance: Own budgets across the Special Missions, including (but not limited to): Wales Air Ambulance Operation, Compass, NPAS - East Midlands, Bond Helicopters, Scottish Air Ambulance, Other Special Mission projects as applicable. Ensure financial controls are observed and operations remain within agreed budgets. Drive cost control initiatives and service improvement programmes, without compromising service delivery or compliance. Protect margin and long term contract sustainability. Provide technical and operational input into contract bids, negotiations and renewals.

Skills, Qualifications And Experience Required:

  • Significant experience within Aviation Maintenance and MRO environments.
  • Demonstrable leadership experience within a Part-145 organisation.
  • Recognised Licensed Aircraft Engineer Licence or relevant degree (ideally within aeronautical or aircraft maintenance engineering).
  • In-depth working knowledge of Part 145 regulations and practices.
  • Strong leadership and people management skills.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders across operational and commercial functions.
  • Strong commercial acumen with budget ownership experience.
  • Excellent reporting and analytical capability.
  • UK national with eligibility to obtain Security Clearance (SC).

Benefits:

  • Competitive Group Pension Scheme.
  • Comprehensive Life Assurance.
  • Comprehensive Income Protection.
  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
  • Comprehensive Private Healthcare (after successful passing of probation).
  • Free Car Parking.
  • 2 Paid Volunteering Days each calendar year (subject to line manager approval).
  • Investment in Training, Qualifications and Professional Development (Subject to insurance underwriting).

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 20 working days then your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Director of Maintenance, Special Missions in Bournemouth employer: Aviation JobSearch Europa

Gama Aviation is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Gloucestershire Airport that fosters personal growth and career progression in the aviation sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive benefits including comprehensive healthcare and generous pension schemes, and a culture that values teamwork and innovation, Gama Aviation provides a rewarding platform for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in special missions and maintenance operations.

A

Contact Details:

Aviation JobSearch Europa Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Maintenance, Special Missions in Bournemouth

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Aviation JobSearch Europa for a Director of Maintenance, Special Missions. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Maintenance, Special Missions in Bournemouth

Aviation Maintenance
MRO Environments
Leadership Experience
Part-145 Regulations
Licensed Aircraft Engineer Licence
Aeronautical Engineering
People Management Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Aviation JobSearch Europa, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Aviation JobSearch Europa, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Aviation JobSearch Europa

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Aviation JobSearch Europa.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Aviation JobSearch Europa. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Aviation JobSearch Europa love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.