Safety & Compliance Manager

Safety & Compliance Manager
Bedfordshire
Aerospace MRO | Part 145 | Safety Leadership | Regulatory Compliance
Full-Time | Permanent

Our client, a growing aerospace MRO organisation based in Bedfordshire, is seeking an experienced and proactive Safety & Compliance Manager to join their senior leadership team during an exciting phase of growth and operational transformation.
Recently becoming part of a globally recognised aerospace group, the business is investing heavily in regulatory excellence, operational maturity, and long-term strategic growth within the general aviation maintenance sector. This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced aerospace compliance professional to play a key role in shaping safety culture, governance standards, and compliance systems within a Part 145 approved environment.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will take ownership of the organisation’s Safety Management System (SMS) and Compliance Monitoring System (CMS), ensuring ongoing compliance with UK CAA / EASA Part 145 requirements while supporting the wider integration into a larger global aerospace group structure.
This role offers significant visibility and influence across operational, engineering, quality, and leadership teams and would suit someone who thrives within evolving aerospace environments undergoing growth and transformation.

Key Responsibilities Regulatory Compliance & Governance
Ensure ongoing compliance with UK CAA / EASA Part 145 requirements and associated regulatory frameworks

Develop and maintain the Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP)

Act as the primary interface with regulatory authorities including the UK CAA and EASA

Maintain sustained approval status and ensure ongoing audit readiness across all operational areasAudit & Compliance Monitoring
Develop and execute the internal audit programme

Conduct compliance, quality, and process audits across the organisation

Lead audit opening and closing meetings

Drive robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)

Manage audit findings through to effective closure

Safety Management System (SMS)
Lead hazard identification, risk assessment, and safety investigations

Manage occurrence reporting systems and safety trend analysis

Facilitate Management of Change (MoC) activities

Promote and embed Just Culture principles across the organisation

Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Coach and support Responsible Managers on regulatory compliance and best practice

Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with group governance standards

Support AS9100 and Nadcap readiness initiatives

Influence operational maturity, compliance standards, and organisational safety culture

Training, Competence & Technical Governance
Oversee technical and regulatory training programmes

Maintain competence frameworks and certifying staff authorisations

Ensure technical records, manuals, procedures, and publications remain current and compliant

Supplier & Subcontract Oversight
Audit and monitor subcontracted organisations and external suppliers

Ensure supplier compliance with approval, capability, and contractual requirements

Support integration of suppliers into the wider management system

Candidate Requirements Essential Experience
Proven experience within a Part 145 Safety & Compliance / Quality leadership role

Strong working knowledge of UK CAA / EASA regulatory frameworks

Demonstrable experience managing regulatory audits and authority relationships

Experience implementing and maintaining Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Strong understanding of:

Part 145 / Part-M requirements

Compliance monitoring systems

Audit and investigation methodologies

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and CAPA processes

Human factors and safety risk management

Occurrence reporting systems

Experience producing KPI and trend analysis reporting for senior leadership teams

Personal Attributes
Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability

Excellent communication skills across operational and executive teams

High levels of integrity, objectivity, and professional judgement

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Self-motivated with the ability to operate autonomously

Comfortable working within a growing aerospace organisation undergoing transformation

What’s on Offer
Opportunity to join a growing aerospace organisation backed by a major global aerospace group

High-impact leadership role with strategic influence across the business

Exposure to world-class aerospace governance and operational best practices

Long-term career development and progression opportunities

Competitive salary package dependent on experience

Full-time permanent position based in Bedfordshire

Monday – Friday working pattern with flexibility required

UK and occasional international travel

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced aerospace compliance professional looking to play a defining role in the next phase of growth, operational maturity, and regulatory excellence within a dynamic aerospace MRO environment