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