Expanding Heathrow Programme Director - Expanded Airfield

Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect.

Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions. Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark.

Your role will involve:

• Leading the delivery of the Expanded Airfield activity including planning and execution of the third runway, taxiways and aprons, new terminals, future airfield infrastructure, future Surface Access schemes, and critically leading the airspace change programme.
• Providing strong leadership and integration across all multidisciplinary programme functions, maintaining coherence and compliance with corporate standards.
• Driving high performance across all delivery teams to achieve programme outcomes and benefits.
• Ensuring seamless coordination across the programme directorates of DCO, Built Environment, Expanded Airfield and Delivery planning, construction and logistics, ensuring we arrive at a consentable programme and an executable baseline.
• Coordinating delivery across multiple interfaces, ensuring alignment with Heathrow’s operational and strategic requirements and minimising disruption to core operations.
• Leading the airspace change programme required to unlock third runway capacity.
• Overseeing early works to enable main construction activities, including displaced uses, environmental mitigation, surface access improvements, and utility diversions.

These Skills Are Essential:

• Proven experience in leading large-scale, complex infrastructure programmes.
• Strong background in airfield, civil engineering, or transport infrastructure delivery.
• Expertise in programme management methodologies, governance, and business case delivery.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder environments and drive strategic outcomes.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and integrating complex programme components.
• Deep understanding of health, safety, and wellbeing obligations in major programmes.
• Chartered status in a relevant discipline (e.g., CEng, MAPM, MCIOB, MBA, MSP).
• Familiarity with regulatory and environmental frameworks relevant to aviation infrastructure.

Ideally You Will Also Have:

• Experience in aviation or regulated infrastructure environments.
• Knowledge of modern construction methodologies and digital delivery tools.
• Evidence of continued professional development in leadership and programme delivery.

There’s something special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences.

Heathrow is an accessible place to work, with five diversity networks, and we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality. We’re committed to sustainability and delivering on ambitious plans with a focus on helping you achieve your ambitions too.

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. This includes performance-based annual bonuses, longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, generous annual leave, market-leading pensions, family-friendly policies, private health insurance, wellbeing tools, and varied learning and development opportunities.

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing flexibility while ensuring we deliver for Heathrow’s operational needs. Working arrangements vary by team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger and Heathrow is an accessible place to work. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity through five diversity networks.

Join Heathrow and discover unlimited opportunities to make a difference. Apply now.