At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major aviation projects and drive sector growth with innovative solutions.
- Company: Join Buro Happold, a respected consultancy shaping the future of aviation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous holiday, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Collaborate internationally and contribute to sustainable aviation initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aviation while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in large-scale aviation projects and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
At Buro Happold, we are shaping the future of aviation infrastructure—delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects across the UK and globally. We are now seeking an experienced Aviation Project Director to play a leading role in driving our aviation sector forward.
The role involves taking ownership of major aviation projects, acting as a senior client-facing leader and subject matter expert. You will play a pivotal role in both delivering high-profile commissions and growing our aviation offering, working closely with senior leaders across the business. Initially, you will lead key flagship projects (including major international programmes), before helping to shape and build a specialist team delivering airport planning, airfield design, and advisory services.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Project Leadership & Delivery
- Act as Project Director on complex, multidisciplinary aviation projects
- Lead project performance, including quality, programme, and financial outcomes
- Serve as a trusted senior advisor to clients across the aviation sector
- Set design direction and ensure alignment with client and project objectives
- Sector Growth & Work Winning
- Lead and contribute to major bids and strategic pursuits within aviation
- Identify and build relationships with new clients and partners
- Support the growth of aviation consultancy services, including new service offerings
- Help position Buro Happold as a leading global aviation consultant
- Leadership & Team Development
- Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams
- Support the development of a specialist airport consulting capability
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the business unit and wider aviation sector
- Collaboration
- Work across disciplines including Advisory, Civils, Infrastructure, MEP, Structures, and Sustainability
- Collaborate internationally with teams across Europe, the Middle East, India, and the US
About You
We’re looking for a highly credible aviation professional with a proven track record of delivering major projects and growing client relationships. You will bring:
- Significant experience delivering large-scale aviation or airfield projects
- Strong understanding of airport planning, infrastructure, and client organisations
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and complex programmes
- Commercial awareness, including fee negotiation and contract management
- Experience in work winning and developing client relationships
- Broad engineering understanding with the ability to engage at a strategic level
- Interest or experience in low‑carbon and sustainable aviation infrastructure
What We Offer
Bring your knowledge and expertise to one of the world’s most respected consultancies.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Attractive salary and benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance and income protection.
- 10% Car allowance
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
- Generous company pension scheme.
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
- 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
- A strong commitment to your continuous development.
- Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
- A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities.
- A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
- An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from the exceptional.
Aviation Project Director employer: Buro Happold
Buro Happold is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the aviation sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and generous holiday entitlement, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in shaping the future of aviation infrastructure while enjoying a supportive and inclusive environment that values your contributions and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aviation Project Director
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the aviation industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or clients on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with complex aviation projects. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered results—this is your time to shine!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so do your homework on Buro Happold and their aviation projects. Tailor your conversations to show how your skills align with their goals and values. This shows you're genuinely interested and not just sending out generic applications.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining our team at Buro Happold.
We think you need these skills to ace Aviation Project Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Aviation Project Director role. Highlight your experience with large-scale aviation projects and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about aviation and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Project Director, you'll need to lead teams and manage complex projects. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams and delivered high-quality outcomes. We love to see strong leadership in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Buro Happold!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into your past aviation projects. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact of your leadership on project outcomes. This will showcase your expertise and give you confidence.
✨Understand Buro Happold's Vision
Research Buro Happold’s recent projects and their approach to aviation infrastructure. Understanding their values and goals will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Prepare for Client-Facing Scenarios
As a senior client-facing leader, be prepared to discuss how you build and maintain client relationships. Think of examples where you successfully negotiated contracts or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your commercial awareness and interpersonal skills.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience in building and mentoring teams. Highlight specific instances where you developed team capabilities or led multidisciplinary groups to success, as this is crucial for the role of Aviation Project Director.