Senior Director Tech Operations Aviation Europe (m/f/d)
Join the success story of Europe´s largest DHL airline - European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH.
🌍✈ We connect people worldwide and live by strong values that make a difference. At EAT we combine flight operations and a maintenance organization under one roof, creating exciting opportunities for aviation professionals. Learn more and start your journey: http://www.fly.dhl.
YOUR TASKS:
Join our Aviation Europe team and lead the technical performance strategy of our aircraft fleet, ensuring the highest standards of safety, reliability, compliance, and operational efficiency while shaping the future performance of our European network.
A. Maintenance Planning & Coordination
- Define and govern the long-term Line and Base Maintenance strategy and planning framework for DHL’s European fleet (up to 24 months horizon)
- Ensure maintenance plans are optimized against network availability, regulatory compliance, fleet reliability and operational performance objectives
- Provide strategic oversight of maintenance interval management, work package optimization and maintenance scheduling across operators and maintenance providers
- Govern the planning and implementation of Airworthiness Directives, Service Bulletins, engineering modifications and component replacement programs in close collaboration with Global Technical Operations
B. Reliability, Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Own regional Technical Dispatch Reliability (TDR), aircraft availability and fleet technical performance targets across the Aviation Europe network
- Establish performance governance, KPIs and management reporting to ensure transparency, accountability and timely corrective actions
- Chair regular performance and reliability reviews with operators, CMI partners and maintenance providers
- Drive data-driven performance improvement initiatives through benchmarking, root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies
- Ensure lessons learned and reliability improvement actions are systematically embedded into maintenance planning, engineering programs and supplier strategies
C. Supplier, Contract & MRO Management
- Lead the Aviation Europe maintenance supplier strategy in partnership with Global Technical Operations, including MRO selection, performance management and long-term capability planning
- Ensure consistent application of contractual frameworks, service level expectations and DHL material supply concepts across the maintenance network
- Govern supplier performance across cost, quality, turnaround time, reliability and operational effectiveness metrics
- Assess strategic maintenance capacity requirements and recommend appropriate sourcing, insourcing or outsourcing solutions to support future network needs
D. Engineering, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure maintenance governance and oversight fully support compliance with EASA Part-145 requirements and applicable national aviation authority regulations
- Provide strategic oversight of maintenance documentation, certification processes and aircraft release standards across the regional network
- Coordinate engineering priorities related to fleet modifications, technical upgrades and component management programs
- Drive a culture of safety, airworthiness, compliance and continuous improvement throughout all maintenance-related activities
E. Financial & Budget Oversight
- Own the Aviation Europe Line and Base Maintenance budget framework, ensuring alignment between operational requirements, performance objectives and financial targets
- Monitor cost drivers, identify optimization opportunities and drive sustainable efficiency improvements across the maintenance network
- Support strategic planning, forecasting and annual operating plan development through robust maintenance cost and activity modelling
F. Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership
- Serve as the Aviation Europe focal point for fleet maintenance performance, representing the function towards operators, CMI partners, Global Technical Operations and senior leadership teams
- Build and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships across Operations, Network Planning, Finance, Engineering and Technical Services
- Provide leadership, governance and direction to DHL technical representatives and external maintenance stakeholders supporting maintenance activities across the European network
YOUR PROFILE:
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a comparable technical discipline
- Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience within commercial aviation maintenance, engineering, technical operations or MRO environments
- Recognized Aircraft Maintenance Engineering qualification (Part-66 or equivalent) preferred
- Advanced understanding of commercial aircraft maintenance, airworthiness and regulatory compliance frameworks
- Proven track record in managing Line and Base Maintenance activities within a major airline, MRO organization or aviation services provider
- Significant experience in maintenance planning, supplier management, fleet reliability, technical performance improvement and cost optimization
- Demonstrated experience managing complex stakeholder environments across airline operators, MROs, OEMs and aviation authorities
- Experience with Airbus and Boeing fleet types relevant to DHL operations (A330, A321, A300, B757, B767, B737); additional experience with turboprop aircraft considered advantageous
- Experience operating within multi-country, multi-operator or matrix organizations preferred
- Strong interpersonal and people management skills
- Social and communication competencies in senior management environment
- Proficiency in German and English
OUR OFFER:
- Attractive total compensation package including a competitive base salary and performance-based bonus
- Long- & short-term incentive plans (e.g. share based programs) to align your contribution with the company´s sustainable success
- Company car or mobility solution in line with the executive level
- Company pension scheme
- Comprehensive leadership development and career opportunities within the DHL Group
- High level of ownership and decision-making authority in a business-critical role
- A work environment characterized by trust, entrepreneurial spirit and international collaboration
BECOME PART OF THE TEAM:
We look forward to receiving your application via our online system.
Your contact person is Nadine Dold. If you need any other information, please go in contact by calling +49 341 44991645.
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