Flight Standards Director
JOB OVERVIEW
Drive the overall vision of the Directorate. Provide strategic direction and leadership in achieving strategic objectives and priorities, while actively embodying EASA values and leadership principles as a vital member of the Management Community.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Impact EASA strategic direction: Advise the Executive Director on EASA’s mission and strategy. Guide Heads of Department in aligning objectives with EASA's strategic goals.
- Act as an EASA Ambassador: Promote EASA's mission and achievements, values and image in high-level and strategic situations, including media exposure. Build trust with high-level stakeholders and politically sensitive counterparts through effective communication and strategic enhancement.
- Strive for change and innovation: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and learning within the Directorate, while leading and inspiring diverse teams. Foster collaboration through open and transparent communication and cultivate professional development opportunities across teams.
- Adapt to digital transformation and new technologies: Leverage data-driven insights to make informed decisions. Guide the Directorate in adopting and integrating new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and strategic outcomes.
- Foster an inclusive and diverse workforce: Promote equal opportunities and value diversity by leading by example. Encourage providing and receiving feedback, valuing, and integrating diverse perspectives into business solutions.
- Ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and business continuity: Proactively review and enhance processes, team performance, resource allocation, team, and job composition within the Directorate. Drive forward the implementation of EASA strategy for the Directorate, ensuring that operational activities align with strategic priorities.
- Lead, Develop, and Empower: Encourage staff engagement and build trust through open and transparent communication, providing clear directions. Challenge staff and assign clear objectives, enabling them to maximize their performance by giving constructive feedback and regularly monitoring progress. Lead by example in line with EASA values and leadership principles, demonstrating managerial courage in decision-making, and integrating lessons learned.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Flight Standards Directorate is responsible for developing regulatory materials and monitoring the application of EASA regulations by Member States in the domains of continuing airworthiness, air operations including RAMP inspections, aircrew, medical, flight simulators, aerodromes, as well as Air Traffic Management and U-space. In addition, the Directorate is responsible for the initial approval and continuous oversight of approved organisations in the same domains except aerodromes, as well as of production organisations outside the EASA Member States, and within EASA Members States where they have transferred their responsibility as Competent Authority. The Directorate also issues TCO authorisations and continuous monitoring of foreign airlines operating in the EU.
- Drive Regulatory Excellence: Lead the development and continuous improvement of regulatory materials, ensuring their alignment with EASA regulations and effective application by Member States in airworthiness and operational standards.
- Enhance Oversight Mechanisms: Strengthen monitoring frameworks for the oversight of approved organizations, including continuous monitoring of foreign airlines, ensuring compliance with safety standards and EASA regulations.
- Foster Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including Member States and aviation organizations, to enhance collaborative efforts in regulatory enforcement and oversight.
Selection will be based on the following skills and competencies:
The competences and skills listed below are critical to perform the job, but candidates who do not meet all of them will not automatically be excluded.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Change Management
- Resource Management
- Strategy development and planning
- Stakeholder Management
- General understanding of EASA regulations & aviation safety standards
- Rules development process
- Standardisation Inspections
- Knowledge and understanding of industry standards, industry standard development, EASA role and process to contribute
- Crisis Management
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCES
- Communication
- Flexibility & Change Adaptability
- Guiding Staff
- Engaging Staff
- Managing Ambiguity
- Strategic Agility
ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION CRITERIA
The following constitute essential criteria for the role. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria will be excluded from the selection:
- Thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the European Union (at least level B2).*
- Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
- Completed university studies of at least 4 years in the scope of the job profile. After obtaining the degree, at least 15 years of relevant professional experience in the scope of the job profile. Alternatively, completion of at least 3 years of university studies as above, followed by at least 16 years of relevant professional experience.**
- At least 8 years of recent managerial experience, out of which at least 4 at senior level with proven capacity to successfully lead teams of professionals in different domains and to ensure financial sustainability.
- Proven experience in the aviation sector, either working closely with or within a national/European public oversight authority.
- Proven experience in the field of aviation safety with exposure to one or more of the following domains: operational aviation safety, safety management, innovation and manufacturing.
The following constitute advantageous criteria for the role. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria will not be excluded from the selection:
- Proven operational experience within an operational aviation stakeholder (e.g. airline, airport, ANSP, ATO etc.).
- Professional experience in a multicultural environment.
* Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of a second EU language. English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase
** This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD 11 - AD 14. Staff members on grade AD 11 should have at least 2 years seniority in the grade in order to be eligible to apply.
Conditions of Employment
Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension.
Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements.
Salary: Depending on work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation.
Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required).