At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme, enhancing capacity and passenger experience.
- Company: Heathrow, a leader in UK capital investment with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team and contribute to the modernisation of Terminal 5.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on one of Heathrow's largest programmes and shape the future of travel.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale engineering projects and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.
Heathrow delivers one of the largest capital investment portfolios in the UK, with planned investment of between £1.3bn and £2bn per annum over the next five years. Accountability for delivering all non‐technology, digital, or data programmes sits within the Development function, where this role is positioned. The Programme Director is responsible for ensuring integration and alignment across internal and external functions, securing input and commitment to solutions while maintaining accountability for the delivery of intended benefits.
The role also requires strong strategic capability, including shaping and supporting the development of business cases for the Customer and Operations functions. This position holds accountability for the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme, leading a large, multidisciplinary team to deliver solutions that grow Heathrow's capacity within a two‐runway operation, enhance Terminal 5's passenger experience and improve its operational resilience. This represents one of the biggest and most significant programmes in Heathrow's next regulatory cycle, delivering Heathrow's most significant near‐term capacity increase within its largest commercial and revenue‐generating asset. With a value exceeding £1.15bn, the programme also represents a foundational step in the long‐term modernisation of Terminal 5.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme, with accountability for delivering agreed outcomes in line with the approved business case, with a focus on increasing capacity ahead of expansion, enhancing passenger experience and improving resilience.
- Define and shape programme solutions to meet business needs, ensuring they remain operable and maintainable throughout the full asset lifecycle, from initial delivery through to long‐term use.
- Provide strategic governance and assurance, maintaining programme integrity, compliance with agreed commitments, and alignment with Heathrow's corporate standards.
- Enable effective and timely decision‐making, managing complex stakeholder relationships to set a clear strategic direction across planning, resource management, issue resolution, quality, governance, change control, risk management, communications, and budget oversight.
- Lead and inspire a high‐performing programme team, including approximately 100 directly employed colleagues and up to c.300 supply chain contributors, establishing a clear vision and roadmap to deliver programme objectives within a complex and highly scrutinised environment.
- Hold direct accountability for the programme's capital budget (in excess of £300m), ensuring delivery against the approved business case and influencing the remaining wider construction delivery budget through scope definition and the realisation of capital efficiency opportunities.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading complex, large‐scale engineering or infrastructure programmes with a value in excess of £1bn.
- Strong problem‐solving capability, with a track record of applying rigorous and analytical thinking to complex challenges, delivering innovative and practical solutions.
- Expertise in stakeholder engagement, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence at senior levels across airlines, customers, government, and regulatory bodies.
- Solid understanding of strategic frameworks, governance, and commercial principles.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire large, multidisciplinary teams, including effective procurement and supplier management across complex delivery environments, supported by strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
- Expertise in industry‐standard programme and project management methodologies and tools, with the ability to adapt approaches to suit different delivery contexts and drive effective, value‐focused outcomes.
Ideally you will have
- Experience leading and delivering mega infrastructure projects.
- Experience operating within the aviation sector.
- Chartered Engineer status or equivalent experience delivering large‐scale construction projects.
Programme Director - T5O in London employer: hackajob
Heathrow is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets operational excellence. As a Programme Director for the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme, you will lead a large, multidisciplinary team in delivering significant capital projects that enhance passenger experience and operational resilience. With a strong focus on employee growth, strategic governance, and a commitment to sustainability, Heathrow provides unique opportunities for professional development while contributing to one of the UK's most vital infrastructure projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Director - T5O in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand Heathrow's goals, especially around the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Focus on articulating your problem-solving skills and stakeholder engagement experience, as these are key for the Programme Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Director - T5O in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Programme Director role. Highlight your experience in leading large-scale projects, especially in the aviation sector, and don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving capabilities!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships and delivered innovative solutions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you lead and inspire teams! In your application, mention any experience you have in managing multidisciplinary teams and how you’ve driven them towards achieving strategic goals. This is key for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Programme Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Terminal 5 Optimisation programme. Understand its goals, challenges, and how it fits into Heathrow's broader strategy. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the programme's needs.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Given the importance of stakeholder engagement in this role, prepare examples that highlight your ability to build relationships and influence decision-making. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder dynamics, especially in large-scale projects.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you've shaped business cases or strategic frameworks in previous roles. Highlight your problem-solving capabilities and provide examples of how you've delivered innovative solutions under pressure, particularly in engineering or infrastructure contexts.
✨Lead with Vision
As a Programme Director, inspiring a team is crucial. Prepare to share your leadership philosophy and experiences leading multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you've established clear visions and roadmaps in past projects, ensuring everyone is aligned and motivated towards common objectives.
