Associate Director - Risk (Aviation)

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Associate Director – Risk to join our Project Controls leadership team, supporting a major aviation infrastructure programme based in London. This is a senior, client‑facing role with responsibility for leading risk management strategy, governance, and delivery across complex, safety‑critical aviation projects.

You will provide technical leadership, strategic direction, and mentoring to risk professionals, while working closely with senior client stakeholders to ensure effective risk management is embedded across programme delivery.

About Us

CMR is first and foremost a team of people, passionate about the built environment and changing the way project controls is delivered. We are a progressive and dynamic consultancy offering tailored project controls services across a range of industries, including aviation, transportation, energy, and infrastructure.

Our Purpose (Why We Exist)

Inspiring new ways to help shape our construction and infrastructure industries.

Our Ambition (What We Want To Achieve)

To re‑imagine project controls through a digital lens, becoming the obvious choice for clients and the place where our people grow together with intention.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Leading the risk management strategy and governance for a major aviation programme, ensuring alignment with client objectives, regulatory requirements, and best practice.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, programme directors, and executive teams on risk and opportunity management.
• Overseeing the development, implementation, and assurance of robust risk management frameworks, processes, and reporting.
• Leading and facilitating executive‑level risk workshops, assurance reviews, and governance forums.
• Ensuring effective integration of risk management with wider project controls disciplines, including cost, schedule, change, and performance management.
• Directing and reviewing qualitative and quantitative risk analysis to support business cases, investment decisions, and contingency management.
• Managing and mentoring a team of Risk Managers and Analysts, supporting capability development and succession planning.
• Driving a strong, proactive risk culture across client and consultant teams, promoting transparency, early engagement, and informed decision‑making.
• Supporting business development activities, including bids, proposals, and client presentations within the aviation and infrastructure sectors.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of CMR’s risk management methodologies, digital tools, and thought leadership.

We’re Looking For

Essential

• Extensive experience in risk management within major infrastructure programmes, ideally within aviation or other highly regulated environments (e.g. rail, defence, nuclear).
• Proven experience operating at senior or leadership level, influencing programme and executive stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of enterprise and programme risk management frameworks, governance, and assurance processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex risk workshops, reviews, and stakeholder engagements.
• Ability to provide clear, strategic insight from complex risk data to inform decision‑making.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within a consultancy or client‑facing environment.

Desirable

• Chartered or senior membership of a recognised professional body (e.g. APM, IRM, or equivalent).
• Advanced experience delivering quantitative risk analysis for cost and schedule (e.g. @Risk, Primavera Risk Analysis, Safran, ARM).
• Knowledge of aviation regulatory and assurance frameworks (e.g. CAA, CAPs, Safety Management Systems).
• Experience supporting business cases, regulatory submissions, or investment approvals.

Our Culture

At CMR, our culture is driven by our 9 Core Principles. We focus on building a community of people who share our values, are curious, collaborative, and committed to doing things better.

Requirements & Location

• Full right to work in the UK.
• Ability to work in a hybrid arrangement, with a minimum of 2 days per week based at a London office or aviation project site.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive Associate Director salary
• 25 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays)
• Comprehensive Private Healthcare (including Dentist and Optician)
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Pension scheme (4% employer contribution)
• Company and personal performance‑based bonus
• Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Long Service Leave
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Regular social events
• Perkbox – employee experience platform

Next Steps

To apply, please submit a copy of your CV for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

CMR welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce. We are Disability Confident Committed and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.