Head of Design Organisation

Draken Europe offers exciting careers that matter.

We believe that mission success does not start with the mission itself. It begins with our people.

Draken also believes in fair reward and recognition for our employees. As such, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.

The Role
We are currently recruiting for a Head of Design who will report to the VP Engineering and is responsible for the professional leadership of the Initial Airworthiness Design Office, direct reporting staff and associated support staff, in accordance with all applicable aviation regulations and international standards. This role can be based out of Teesside/Bournemouth.

The Head of Design Organisation provides both strategic business leadership as well as operational accountability for the delivery of services undertaken by the Design Office. Working through Initial Airworthiness Managers, the Head of Design Organisation is responsible for delivering business objectives through planning and directing the activities of multiple teams of engineers. Holding all the design related Accountable Manager (CEO) posts and Head of Design Organisation, the Head of Design Organisation is responsible to ensure the correct resources are made available and the proper functioning of the design organisations (civil and military), undertaking the binding statements and obligations.

Key Responsibilities
All Nominated Post Holder positions to report to the HDO (per regulation) either direct or dotted line.

Applicable Aviation Regulation Regulators, but not limited to:

UK CAA (DOA) UK MAA (DOA, DAOS and DAOS-CDO)

Applicable International Standards, but not limited to:

ISO Quality (Business) Management System

ISO Environmental Management System

ISO Occupational Health Management System

ISO Information Security Management System

Ensuring that all areas under the responsibility and ownership of the Design Office complies with all applicable Aviation Regulations and International Standards at all times.

DOA DAOS DAOS-CDO

Ensuring that all Regulatory Expositions, including all relevant mandatory and/or supporting procedures and other relevant documentation are maintained up to date and to best industry standard.

Ensuring that robust First and Second Lines of Defence Compliance (Quality) monitoring system is maintained at all times across all areas under the responsibility and ownership of the Design Office. Design Office Personnel Management & Coordination

Ensuring effective, efficient, and proactive guidance and support to the Design Office Direct Reporting Team and supporting other departments as requested.

Ensuring all Design Office Direct Reporting Personnel are adequately equipped, trained and competent with respect to their roles and responsibilities.

Across all areas under the responsibility and ownership of the Design Office.

Driving, ensuring, and assuring an enhanced safety (operational and SHE) and compliance culture.

Drive a culture of excellence by active coaching, mentoring, motivating and active engagement to achieve individual and business objectives.

Drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Drive a culture of unquestionable, ethical, and professional behaviour.

Identify and develop personnel goals, nurturing, engaging, and developing talent.

Manage succession planning, building resilience and depth across the Director Initial Airworthiness Direct Reports and all areas under the responsibility and ownership of the Design Office.

Experience / Skills / Qualifications
Expert knowledge of Commercial Aircraft Management principles and practices

Extensive industry related and proven experience in a similar role - Required

Expert theoretical and practical application-level knowledge of CAA/EASA and Military Aviation Regulations (Part 21, DAOS, Part Required

Practical application-level knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 45001 & ISO 14001 as applicable in the aviation environment - Required

Practical application-level knowledge of Safety Management System principles and requirements as applicable in the aviation environment - Required

Demonstrable People And Cultural Change Management Experience - Required
Engineering Degree - Required

Postgraduate level Business and/or Management Qualification - Advantageous

Able to hold the Regulatory Accountable Manager / CEO responsibility for DOA, DAOS and DAOS-CDO - Required

• Able to hold a Security Check (SC) level security clearance - Required

Able to hold a Developed Vetting (DV) level security clearance - Required

Significant and wide-ranging experience as a Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) - Required

A Fellow of a Professional Engineering Institution (e.g., Royal Aeronautical Society) - Advantageous

A Chartered Engineer (CEng) registered with the (UK) Engineering Council - Advantageous

Practical application-level knowledge of the Company's technology use and services delivered - Advantageous Personal Skill & Attributes

• Excellent in nurturing, mentoring, guiding and influencing personnel.

Excellent in communicating / presenting at all levels, across all boundaries, internal and external, both verbally and written.

Excellent business acumen.

Highly self-motivated, assertive, resilient with the ability to hold their own.

Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to achieve tight deadlines in challenging environments.

• Excellent use MS Office Software and other Company Software as required.

Ability to maintain high levels of integrity, work ethic and confidentiality and use discretion

Our employee values
Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all.

At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken Europe team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fairly and with respect.

We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications.

In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.

,

Whether it is adversarial support, electronic attack or customised rotary-wing training, we offer the most accurate and advanced readiness training in the industry. Our vast, differentiated fleet, cutting edge hardware and experienced instructors are engaged to help your mission take off.

Being ready is not only a matter of when. But where. We provide services in the UK, US and across the NATO countries. Making sure that our allies can manoeuvre around defeat and prepare to prevail.