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.

YOUR TASKS

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

We encourage you to apply via our online system.