At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multi-billion-pound aviation infrastructure programme with strategic oversight and delivery.
- Company: Join a leading firm shaping the future of UK transport infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a national impact.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a focus on safety and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transformative aviation projects that matter.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in large-scale infrastructure programmes and strong commercial expertise.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Our client is seeking an exceptional Programme Director to lead the delivery of a multi‑billion‑pound aviation infrastructure programme of national significance. This executive role carries full accountability for strategic leadership, governance and successful delivery of a complex programme including enabling works, highways diversions, utilities relocations, terminal and airside development, and phased integration within a live operational airport environment. The Programme Director will provide visible, senior leadership across delivery partners, ensuring safe, compliant and commercially effective execution aligned to sponsor objectives and regulatory requirements.
Key Accountabilities
- Strategic Programme Leadership: Establish and lead the programme strategy, governance structure and integrated master schedule, ensuring alignment with sponsor objectives, regulatory obligations and operational constraints. Provide executive reporting to the Board, Government stakeholders and investors, leading stage‑gate, gateway and assurance processes.
- Enabling Works & Infrastructure Delivery: Oversee highways diversions, utilities relocations, statutory undertaker coordination, land agreements and early works packages. Manage interfaces with National Highways, Local Authorities and third parties to ensure seamless integration into main construction phases. Deliver enabling works safely and efficiently without adverse impact on airport operations or surrounding transport networks.
- Commercial & Contractual Leadership: Define and implement the procurement and delivery model (NEC, FIDIC, alliancing or JV structures as appropriate). Lead major contract awards and maintain disciplined cost control across multi‑billion‑pound budgets. Oversee change control, claims management, risk allocation and supply chain performance frameworks.
- Operational Integration: Lead phased construction within a live operational airport environment. Safeguard airside and landside safety, regulatory compliance and operational continuity. Ensure effective integration of new infrastructure into operational systems and processes.
- Regulatory & Stakeholder Management: Lead engagement with Government, Civil Aviation Authority, National Highways, Local Authorities, environmental regulators and community stakeholders. Ensure compliance with DCO requirements, planning conditions and environmental commitments while managing political and reputational risks.
- Risk, Safety & Assurance: Champion a “Zero Harm” safety culture and ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and aviation safety standards. Lead programme‑wide risk management, assurance reviews and quality systems across all delivery partners.
- Leadership & Culture: Build and lead a high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary leadership team across client, contractor and consultant organisations. Foster a collaborative, delivery‑focused culture with strong governance, inclusion and executive accountability.
Experience & Qualifications
- Essential: Proven Programme Director experience on infrastructure programmes exceeding £1bn in value. Demonstrable delivery of major aviation, highways or nationally significant infrastructure schemes, including complex enabling works and live environments. Strong commercial expertise across NEC and/or FIDIC contracts and Tier 1 contractor management. Deep understanding of UK planning, DCO processes and regulatory frameworks. Degree qualified with Chartered status (CEng, MRICS, MAPM or equivalent).
- Desirable: Experience on airport expansion or runway programmes. Programme Management certification (MSP, PgMP or equivalent) and experience in regulated or government‑funded environments.
Core Competencies:
- Strategic leadership and executive presence
- Commercial acumen and financial governance
- Political and stakeholder awareness
- Risk, safety and assurance leadership
- Negotiation, influence and delivery under pressure
Why Join: This is a career‑defining opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most significant aviation infrastructure programmes. The successful candidate will shape nationally important transport infrastructure while operating with executive‑level visibility and strategic influence on a transformational scheme of enduring impact.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Ardour Associates values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
Programme Director - Highways in London employer: Ardour Associates Ltd
Join a leading organisation at the forefront of the UK's aviation infrastructure development, where you will have the opportunity to shape significant transport projects that impact communities and economies. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and inclusivity, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic environment. With a commitment to safety and excellence, we offer a unique chance to lead high-profile initiatives while working alongside industry experts in a supportive and engaging atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Director - Highways in London
✨Join Construction Networks
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If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
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We think you need these skills to ace Programme Director - Highways in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Ardour Associates Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
