Compliance Manager in Darlington

Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL) is seeking an experienced Safety & Compliance Manager to join our growing aviation operations at Teesside International Airport. This is a senior leadership role within our aircraft maintenance department, as the nominated person for safety, compliance, monitoring and information security. The successful candidate will also play a key role in developing and embedding an Integrated Management System (IMS) across our wider operational areas, including aircraft recycling, fixed base operations and ground handling. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated aviation professional to shape safety, compliance, and quality culture within a dynamic and expanding aviation environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as UK CAA & EASA Part-145 Nominated Person (Form 4 Holder)
• Ensure WASL activities comply with applicable regulatory requirements and internal procedures.
• Establish and maintain an independent compliance monitoring and audit system.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the audit plan.
• Monitor and manage corrective actions arising from audit findings.
• Liaise regularly with the Accountable Manager regarding compliance effectiveness.
• Oversee amendments to the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE) and ensure regulatory alignment.
• Submit MOE revisions to the competent authority for approval.
• Manage the Approved Supplier List and assess subcontractor compliance.
• Issue, renew, and cancel Part-145 certifying and support staff authorisations.
• Monitor contracted maintenance organisations for compliance.
• Ensure regulatory notification of maintenance outside approved locations.
• Feed audit findings into recurrent training programmes.
• Establish and manage staff training and continuation training programmes and records.
• Lead and manage the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Oversee safety reporting and occurrence investigation processes.
• Facilitate hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation planning.
• Monitor implementation of safety action plans.
• Provide safety performance reports to the Safety Review Board.
• Maintain safety management documentation.
• Deliver safety advice and promote best practice.
• Embed just culture, human factors, and continuous improvement principles.
• Integrate safety learning into recurrent training programmes.
• Support development of an Integrated Management System (IMS) across WASL operations.
• Provide compliance and safety oversight for aircraft recycling, FBO, and ground handling activities.
• Undertake additional duties as directed by the Accountable Manager.

About You

We are looking for a confident and experienced aviation professional who can lead from the front and influence safety culture at all levels of the organisation.

Essential Requirements

• Eligible to hold UK & EASA Part-145 Nominated Person (Form 4) roles (SM & SMM, IS)
• Valid or previously held Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence (AML) or Aeronautical Engineering Degree.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in aircraft maintenance or continuing airworthiness.
• Strong technical knowledge relevant to aircraft types listed within the WASL MOE.
• Comprehensive knowledge of:

• Part-145 regulations and associated requirements
• Maintenance Organisation Expositions (MOE)
• Compliance monitoring and quality systems
• ICAO, UK CAA and EASA safety management requirements

• Risk management
• Safety investigations and root cause methodologies
• Safety culture and just culture principles

About Us

Willis Aviation Services Limited are part of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, a pioneer and provider of global aviation services for over 45 years. Our facility at Teesside International Airport provides base maintenance, return to service, aircraft disassembly, short and long term aircraft storage, and ground and cargo handling services. At Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL), we are committed to fair hiring practices and building a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace. We value every individual's contribution and make employment decisions based on job-related criteria such as qualifications, experience, and the ability to perform the role.

These are exciting times for Willis Aviation Services Limited as we continue to grow. If you're ready to make a difference in aviation, apply today.

Why Join WASL?

• Senior leadership role with regulatory accountability.
• Opportunity to shape and develop an integrated safety and compliance framework.
• Growing and diverse aviation operation.
• Collaborative working environment at Teesside International Airport.
• Opportunity to make a genuine impact on operational excellence and safety culture.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries, company bonus, flexible working patterns
• 33 days annual leave including UK bank holidays, holiday buy & sell scheme
• Health & wellbeing support, company pension, cycle to work scheme, electric vehicle scheme, retail discounts, referral bonus, death in service and more.

To Recruitment Agencies

WASL does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate submissions from agencies. All unsolicited profiles will be treated as the property of WASL, and no fees will be paid. This applies to any CVs sent directly to employees or managers without prior agreement with our internal Talent Acquisition team.