Base Maintenance Manager in Darlington, North East

An established aircraft maintenance organisation is seeking an experienced Base Maintenance Manager to lead and deliver base maintenance activity within a Part 145 environment. This is a senior management position with responsibility for operational performance, regulatory compliance, safety, and customer delivery across current and future facilities. The role holds full accountability for ensuring base maintenance inputs are delivered on time, on budget, and in accordance with all applicable regulatory and approved standards, with all aircraft released to service safely and compliantly. You will also support the development and expansion of base maintenance capabilities in line with commercial and operational growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Support senior maintenance leadership in developing and expanding base maintenance capabilities, including additional approvals and facilities.
• Ensure aircraft are delivered on time, on budget, and to the required quality standard.
• Agree and manage daily labour hour rates prior to aircraft input and control costs throughout the check.
• Minimise AOG impact, stock returns, and disruption to the operation.
• Produce daily performance updates, highlighting risks to on time delivery and implementing corrective actions.
• Maintain strong working relationships with customers and external stakeholders.
• Ensure third party suppliers and contractors operate in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with HR on all personnel related matters within base maintenance teams.
• Ensure occurrence reporting is completed where required and actions are closed effectively.
• Collaborate with maintenance and compliance leadership to manage regulatory approvals and capability growth.
• Conduct post check reviews to identify improvement actions and ensure they are implemented.
• Attend pre input meetings and contribute to planning and forecasting activities.
• Develop and maintain manpower and resource plans aligned to workload demand.
• Ensure personnel are trained, assessed, and deemed competent in line with company requirements.
• Promote a positive safety culture and ensure all activities comply with health and safety regulations.
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the seniority of the role as required.

Requirements

• Proven leadership and management experience within an aircraft maintenance or continuing airworthiness environment.
• Ability to hold UK and EASA Part 145 Nominated Person Form 4 approval for Base Maintenance.
• UK Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence with C certification an advantage.
• Minimum five years experience in aircraft maintenance or continuing airworthiness.
• Strong practical knowledge of aviation safety standards and maintenance best practice.
• Sound understanding of Part 145 regulatory requirements and Maintenance Organisation Expositions.
• Technical knowledge relevant to common narrowbody aircraft types.
• Human Factors, Fuel Tank Safety, and EWIS training.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

This role will suit an operationally strong leader who is comfortable taking accountability, managing growth, and delivering results in a regulated, high pressure environment.