Strategic Operations Manager Jobs in Dothan, AL (NOW HIRING)

We're more than aviation experts, we're pioneers. We challenge what's possible. From breaking the sound barrier to advanced tiltrotor systems. Today, Bell is shaping the future of aviation through specialized engineering. And we want you. 

Director, Maintenance Operations - Flight School Next

Bell is looking for a Director, Maintenance Operations, in Ozark, Alabama. You will provide senior leadership for all flight training activities in support of Flight School Next. The Director of Maintenance for the Flight School Next (FSN) program provides enterprise-level leadership, strategy, and governance for all maintenance activities supporting Army pilot training operations.

This role defines longrange maintenance strategy, oversees regulatory compliance, drives digital maintenance integration, ensures subcontractor performance, and enables fleet readiness of the Bell 505 through coordinated oversight of maintenance control, EFMS, maintenance compliance, maintenance training, dispatch operational alignment, and maintenance analytics. This position is accountable for the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of all maintenance functions within the FSN ecosystem and serves as the primary interface with senior leadership, customer stakeholders, and subcontracted Part 145 repair stations

What You'll Be Doing as the Director, Maintenance Operations:

Strategic Leadership & Program Direction

• Define and lead the longrange maintenance strategy, Program of Maintenance, and overall sustainment roadmap for the FSN fleet.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across maintenance control, compliance, dispatch, training, and analytics functions.
• 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 crossfunctionally with engineering, supply chain, quality, and flight operations to resolve complex technical issues.

Fleet Readiness & Operational Integration

• Oversee fleet readiness visibility, discrepancy management processes, minimum equipment list (MEL) governance, and technical decisionmaking.
• Lead forecasting, maintenance planning integration, and operational risk mitigation across maintenance and dispatch activities.
• Ensure dispatch information and operational schedules seamlessly integrate with maintenance planning and readiness reporting.
• Oversee dynamic aircraft rescheduling to account for unforecasted maintenance requirements to ensure an 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.

Skills You Bring to this Role:

• Bachelor's degree.

• 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 in return

• 80 hours of Personal Time Off (PTO)

• 120 hours Vacation time

• 12-13 paid holidays per year

• 6 weeks parental leave

• Tuition reimbursement

• Competitive salary

• Comprehensive health insurance

• Access to more than 11 Employee Resource Groups

And so much more

It's time to make your mark on the future of aviation. Join us on this mission, and let's make history together.

Contingent Hiring Notice

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.