Aviation Client & Programme Director in London

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

AECOM is seeking a strategic, client-focused and commercially driven Aviation Client & Programme Director to lead the growth of our Aviation business across the UK & Ireland. Reporting to the Sector Director and working closely with our global Transportation leadership, this is a market-facing leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the Aviation growth strategy, securing major opportunities, and developing long-term strategic client relationships.

Here's what you'll do:

• Client Growth & Work Winning: Lead the delivery of the Aviation Sector's three-year growth strategy across the UK & Ireland, identifying and converting priority market opportunities. Own the client engagement strategy for key aviation clients, developing executive-level relationships that position AECOM as a trusted long-term partner. Lead the pursuit, positioning and capture of major aviation opportunities (typically >$5M), including early engagement, influencing client strategies and shaping opportunities before procurement. Direct the end-to-end work winning process for strategic pursuits, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop compelling, differentiated proposals. Develop winning strategies that leverage AECOM's global capability, technical excellence and programme delivery expertise. Implement and optimise the hybrid Enterprise Capability (EC) and home-country delivery model to maximise competitiveness and delivery value. Expand AECOM's profile across the aviation market through active industry engagement, thought leadership and executive client relationships. Collaborate with global Aviation and Transportation teams to unlock cross-border opportunities and share capability, innovation and resources.
• Strategic Client Leadership: Act as AECOM's executive client sponsor for key aviation accounts and major programmes. Build trusted relationships with infrastructure owners, airport operators, contractors and delivery partners that generate repeat business and long-term growth. Develop account growth plans for strategic clients, identifying opportunities to expand AECOM's services across programmes and portfolios. Champion exceptional client experience, using client feedback and market insight to continuously improve performance and strengthen our competitive position.
• Programme Delivery & Commercial Performance: Provide executive oversight of major aviation programmes, ensuring successful delivery that reinforces client confidence and supports future work winning. Be accountable for the performance of Aviation-owned projects, ensuring excellence in schedule, cost and quality, commercial performance, project governance and risk management, and client satisfaction. Drive strong business performance across sales bookings and pipeline conversion, revenue growth and profitability, gross and net margins, cashflow and DSO, and enterprise capability utilisation. Ensure programmes are delivered safely, sustainably and profitably while creating opportunities for future growth.
• Leadership & Capability: Build a high-performing Aviation business capable of delivering sustained market growth. Foster collaboration across Transportation, Business Lines and global regions to maximise opportunities and strengthen integrated delivery. Develop future leaders and strengthen capability in client management, capture, bid leadership and programme delivery. Support strategic workforce planning to ensure capability aligns with market demand and growth ambitions. Champion a culture where safety, wellbeing and sustainability are fundamental to every client engagement and programme. Act as a visible safety leader across major pursuits and delivery programmes. Drive strong performance against leading and lagging SHE indicators while embedding best practice across project teams and partners.

Here's what we're looking for:

• Proven success leading the pursuit, capture and conversion of major infrastructure opportunities, with a strong track record of winning strategic programmes.
• Established relationships within the aviation sector and credibility with airport operators, infrastructure owners, contractors and delivery partners.
• Demonstrated experience developing client strategies, growing key accounts and securing repeat business.
• Extensive experience leading the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure programmes.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing business performance, profitability and growth.
• Experience operating within a global organisation, leveraging international capability to deliver client value.
• Inspirational leadership with a passion for building high-performing teams and developing future capability.
• A visible advocate for safety, sustainability, innovation and client excellence.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.