Expanding Heathrow Programme Director - Built Environment

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.

The Built Environment Programme Director will lead the planning and execution of all associated built environment major works to clear the space for the future airfield. Reporting to the Major Programme Director, it ensures the successful execution of all built environment related activities including relocation of major displaced uses, utility diversions, natural environment, major highways and create the platform activity including the major demolition and earthworks activity.

The Built Environment Programme Director will provide key components to the DCO submission and whilst also progressing substantial activity ahead of consent. Adopting a delivery led approach, the Built Environment Programme Director will be the figurehead of integration, establishing a substantial multidisciplinary team of supporting matrix functions to build environment activity from requirements through to benefits.

Operating within a highly regulated environment, the role provides clear direction, governance, and assurance across delivery teams, ensuring value for money, adherence to the masterplan and industry leading stakeholder engagement. It requires exceptional leadership capability to manage risk, maintain programme integrity, and deliver outcomes that enable Heathrow’s future growth.

Your role will involve:

• Leading the delivery of the Built Environment activity including planning and execution of major displaced uses, utility diversions, natural environment, major highways and creating the platform activity including the major demolition and earthworks activity.
• Ensuring alignment with the masterplan, delivery strategy approved business case and Heathrow’s strategic objectives.
• 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, Future Airfield and Delivery planning, construction and logistics, ensuring we arrive at a consentable programme and an executable baseline.
• The Built Environment Programme Director works hand in glove with the land and property acquisition team, setting out the requirements for land/property acquisition in a timely way to clear the space.
• Monitoring and reporting to senior Heathrow stakeholders on programme performance against scope, schedule, cost, and benefits, providing clear and timely updates.

These Skills Are Essential:

• Proven experience in leading major, £multi‑billion 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.
• 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 so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. 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. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. 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.

Our rewards include competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance‑based annual bonuses and our longer‑term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market‑leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too.

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 the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to 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.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.