External Maintenance Project Manager

Reporting to the External Maintenance Manager –Oversight, you will lead the planning, coordination and execution of external base maintenance events to ensure airworthiness, regulatory compliance and best‑value outcomes for the Group.

You’ll act as the focal point for aircraft maintenance inputs while aircraft are in dock at subcontracted Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMOs), working closely with internal stakeholders across Qantas, QantasLink, Freight and Jetstar, as well as external suppliers and regulators.

This role requires strong technical credibility, commercial acumen and the ability to influence in a complex, matrixed environment.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead base maintenance readiness and aircraft input planning for external maintenance events
• Act as the primary point of accountability during aircraft layovers, ensuring delivery against TAT, safety, quality and commercial targets
• Oversee execution of work packs with minimal deferrals and MELs
• Validate and challenge maintenance scopes, labour estimates and AMO quotations to ensure best value for the Group
• Manage production issues, escalations and recovery plans impacting airworthiness or delivery
• Drive compliance with Qantas, CASA and international regulatory requirements
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with AMOs, OEMs, supply chain and internal engineering teams
• Influence stakeholders within contractual frameworks to maximise maintenance opportunity
• Provide detailed reporting, post‑check reviews and analysis of maintenance performance
• Champion continuous improvement in safety, quality, compliance, operational and commercial performance
• Travel internationally as required to oversee aircraft inputs at external AMO facilities

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years’ experience within airline operations, engineering or aircraft maintenance environments
• Strong understanding of line and base maintenance, planning processes and airworthiness frameworks
• Proven experience managing or overseeing external Part 145 providers, including offshore maintenance
• Demonstrated project management capability in complex, high‑pressure operational environments
• Strong commercial acumen with experience validating maintenance costs and contracts
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to influence without direct authority in a matrixed organisation
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Aircraft trade qualification and/or relevant business or engineering degree