Director, Operations

Overview Director, Maintenance Operations – Flight School Next, Ozark, Alabama. You will provide senior leadership for all flight training activities in support of Flight School Next. The Director of Maintenance for FSN provides enterprise‑level leadership, strategy, and governance for all maintenance activities supporting Army pilot training operations. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Program Direction: Define and lead the long‑range maintenance strategy, Program of Maintenance, and sustainment roadmap for the FSN fleet. Drive continuous improvement across maintenance control, compliance, dispatch, training, and analytics. Build and sustain a culture of safety, compliance, disciplined execution, and continuous learning across the FSN maintenance enterprise. Regulatory Compliance, Safety & Airworthiness Oversight: Provide senior oversight of aircraft airworthiness decisions, compliance controls, and regulatory alignment across all maintenance activities. Ensure documentation accuracy, configuration discipline, and adherence to the Bell Program of Maintenance and FSN Performance Work Statement. Lead subcontractor and internal audit readiness, quality investigations, and compliance assurance activities. Subcontractor & Partner Management: Serve as the primary executive interface with subcontracted Part 145 repair stations, ensuring performance, contract compliance, and issue resolution. Oversee escalations involving airworthiness relief (AWRs), configuration issues, documentation discrepancies, and readiness impacts. Coordinate cross‑functionally with engineering, supply chain, quality, and flight operations to resolve complex technical issues. Fleet Readiness & Operational Integration: Oversee fleet readiness visibility, discrepancy management processes, MEL governance, and technical decision‑making. Lead forecasting, maintenance planning integration, and operational risk mitigation across maintenance and dispatch activities. Ensure dispatch information and operational schedules integrate with maintenance planning and readiness reporting. Oversee dynamic aircraft rescheduling to account for unforecasted maintenance requirements to ensure uninterrupted flight training. Digital Systems & Data Governance: Direct integration, configuration, and continuous improvement of the Electronic Fleet Management System (EFMS). Ensure accurate data flow across EFMS, technical records, schedule systems, dashboards, and readiness reporting structures. Lead maintenance analytics and reporting to deliver accurate cost, schedule, risk, and performance insights to leadership and customer stakeholders. Training & Workforce Development: Oversee FSN maintenance training strategy, ensuring courseware accuracy, instructional effectiveness, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Promote technician development, standardization, and continuous learning across maintenance teams and subcontracted personnel. Qualifications 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in aircraft maintenance leadership, sustainment operations, or maintenance control. Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing Part 145 repair station activities, including contractual performance and regulatory compliance. Experience leading large‑scale aviation programs, fleet sustainment operations, or digital maintenance system integrations (ERP/EFMS). Strong knowledge of FAA Part 91. Proven ability to communicate technical and strategic information clearly to internal leadership, external partners, and customer stakeholders. Demonstrated experience working with senior government leaders or corporate executives. Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills with the ability to manage complex multi‑stakeholder environments. Commitment to safety, disciplined operations, and continuous improvement. Ability to adapt to a fast‑paced and dynamic environment. Knowledge of Department of War (DoW) process and experience dealing with relevant U.S. Government regulations is preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of Part 43, 121/135/141 environments is preferred. What We Offer 80 hours of Personal Time Off (PTO) 120 hours Vacation time 12–13 paid holidays per year 6 weeks parental leave Access to more than 11 Employee Resource Groups It’s time to make your mark on the future of aviation. Join us on this mission, and let’s make history together. Bell may issue conditional job offers that depend on Government contract award, funding, contract execution, and required approvals. If the Government does not award or fund the contract, cancels the solicitation, or stops contract execution, all contingent offers automatically become void. EEO Statement Textron is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The ITAR/EAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee. Non‑U.S. persons selected must meet eligibility requirements for access to export‑restricted information. #J-18808-Ljbffr