At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and drive growth in aviation programmes, managing major projects and client relationships.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting, dedicated to delivering a better world.
- Benefits: Diverse work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on communities while shaping the future of aviation infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading large-scale projects and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
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.
Programme Director – Aviation
AECOM is seeking a strategic and commercially driven Programme Director to support and drive the growth and delivery of Aviation programmes across the UK & Ireland. Reporting to the Sector Director and working closely with the global Transportation leadership, you will play a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering the sector’s 3-year growth strategy, while strengthening collaboration with the global Transportation business. This role is focused on winning and delivering major projects (>$5M), building high‑value client relationships, and driving excellence in project performance, safety, and operational outcomes.
Responsibilities- Strategic Growth & Work Winning
- Support and drive the sector’s 3-year growth plan across UK & Ireland, in support of the Sector Director’s strategy
- Lead positioning, client engagement, and bid activity to win Aviation opportunities ≥$5M, including early and enabling packages
- Manage the end‑to‑end work winning process for major programmes
- Define and implement the hybrid Enterprise Capability (EC) and home country delivery model for bids
- Enhance AECOM’s market presence and reputation with infrastructure owners, operators, and contractors
- Collaborate with global teams to support growth across Europe and India through capability, knowledge, and resource sharing
- Project & Client Leadership
- Act as AECOM’s senior representative in the delivery of major aviation programmes
- Own and lead strategic client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and repeat business
- Drive continuous improvement based on client feedback and performance outcomes
- Lead collaboration with contractors, partners, and supply chain to ensure high‑performing delivery teams
- Delivery & Commercial Performance
- Accountable for successful delivery of Aviation Sector owned projects, typically >$5M in revenue, ensuring performance across schedule, cost, and quality
- Project governance compliance
- Drive strong commercial performance, including sales bookings and revenue growth, gross/net revenue and margin, cashflow and DSO performance, optimisation of EC utilisation, and high‑quality project data and reporting
- Deliver programmes profitably and sustainably, aligned with business objectives
- Leadership & Capability Development
- Work within Transportation to build capability and capacity aligned to long‑term growth
- Lead collaboration across Business Lines, sectors, and geographies to unlock opportunities and strengthen delivery
- Contribute to the development of a high‑performing, globally connected team
- Support the implementation of strategic workforce planning and resourcing models
- Safety, Health, Environment & Wellbeing (SHE)
- Champion and actively lead the SHE & Wellbeing agenda across all major projects
- Ensure strong performance against both leading and lagging safety and sustainability metrics
- Act as a visible safety leader, embedding best practice across delivery teams and partner organisations
- Proven market leader with a strong track record of positioning, leading, and winning major opportunities
- Extensive experience delivering large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary infrastructure projects profitably
- Demonstrated success working with infrastructure owners, operators, contractors, and partners
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing financial performance and project metrics
- Experience operating within a global organisation, collaborating across sectors and geographies
- Strong leadership capability, with a focus on developing teams and building long‑term capability
- Passionate about safety leadership, wellbeing, sustainable delivery, quality and innovation
We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at AECOM. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!
Aviation Programme Director in London employer: AECOM
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive career development opportunities, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in our mission to deliver a better world while enjoying the benefits of working with a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
