Associate or Associate Director Airport Planning

AtkinsRéalis; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career progression

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in the United Kingdom is seeking an Associate or Associate Director Airport Planner to lead major airport planning commissions. You will direct masterplanning, capacity analyses and strategic aviation studies while mentoring a team of aviation specialists.

The role emphasizes client leadership, business development and cross-border collaboration within a global network. The position supports a hybrid working model, with offices in major UK locations and opportunities to influence

Qualifications

• Significant experience in airport planning and development across airfield, terminal, surface access and landside planning.
• Strong knowledge of aviation industry standards and guidance (CAA, EASA, ICAO, IATA).
• Degree in a relevant discipline; postgraduate in air transport desirable; professional membership.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex airport planning projects and multidisciplinary teams across the UK and internationally.
• Build trusted relationships with airport operators, investors, regulators and government stakeholders.
• Lead airport masterplans, aviation strategies, and airfield, terminal and landside planning studies.
• Direct demand forecasting, capacity assessments and operational analyses to inform strategic decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across project deliverables.
• Lead client workshops, stakeholder engagement activities and multidisciplinary reviews.
• Support business development through client engagement, opportunity identification and bid leadership.
• Drive innovation, best practice and continuous improvement within the Airport Planning team.
• Mentor and develop colleagues, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.

Skills

Airport planning

Client leadership

Project leadership

Business development

Mentoring

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Postgraduate qualification in air transport (desirable)

Professional membership

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Apply Your Expertise and Shape the Future of our Airports.

At AtkinsRéalis, our Design & Advanced Technology practice brings together some of the UK’s most diverse engineering and design expertise to tackle the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.

We are seeking an Associate or Associate Director Airport Planner to join our internationally respected Airport Planning team and play a leading role in shaping the future of aviation infrastructure. This is an opportunity for an experienced airport planning professional to provide technical leadership, strategic direction and project oversight across a diverse portfolio of major aviation programmes, whilst helping to drive the continued growth of our airport planning capability.

Our Airport Planning team combines deep technical expertise, operational understanding and a collaborative, solutions-focused culture. We are trusted advisors to many of the UK’s leading airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, and continue to grow our international portfolio across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Australia. Our work spans airport masterplanning, capacity enhancement programmes, terminal and airfield planning, aviation strategy, airport development programmes and emerging aviation technologies.

As an Associate or Associate Director, you will play a key role in leading major commissions, developing and strengthening client relationships, supporting business growth, and mentoring the next generation of airport planning professionals. Working alongside a highly respected team of aviation specialists, you will help shape the future direction of our airport planning services while delivering innovative solutions for some of the industry’s most complex and nationally significant projects.

You’ll benefit from:

• Working on high-profile airport projects across the UK and internationally.
• Accelerating your career through technical leadership, client engagement, thought leadership and business development opportunities.
• Working alongside recognised aviation specialists within one of the industry’s leading airport planning teams.
• Playing a key role in the growth of our aviation business, helping to shape future services, capabilities and market opportunities.
• A culture that encourages innovation, technical excellence and professional growth.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support work-life balance.
• Clear career progression pathways and professional development opportunities.
• We offer hybrid working which involves 3 days per week being office/site based. This position can be based from any of our major offices of London Nova, Epsom, Birmingham, Bristol, or Manchester.

Your role

At Associate or Associate Director level, you will have accountability for technical excellence, client leadership, and commercial performance, alongside line management and mentorship responsibilities.

• Lead complex airport planning projects and multidisciplinary teams across the UK and internationally.
• Build trusted relationships with airport operators, investors, regulators and government stakeholders.
• Lead airport masterplans, aviation strategies, and airfield, terminal and landside planning studies.
• Direct demand forecasting, capacity assessments and operational analyses to inform strategic decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across project deliverables.
• Lead client workshops, stakeholder engagement activities and multidisciplinary reviews.
• Support business development through client engagement, opportunity identification and bid leadership.
• Drive innovation, best practice and continuous improvement within the Airport Planning team.
• Mentor and develop colleagues, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Collaborate across our global aviation network to share expertise and deliver integrated solutions.

About you

We’re seeking technically strong, commercially aware engineers who enjoy collaborative working and take a proactive approach to solving complex challenges. You will be confident leading multidisciplinary teams, developing client relationships, and delivering high-quality solutions while supporting and mentoring less experienced engineers.

• Significant experience in airport planning and development, with expertise across airfield, terminal, surface access and landside planning.
• Strong knowledge of aviation industry standards and guidance, including CAA, EASA, ICAO and IATA requirements.
• Degree qualified in a relevant discipline, with a postgraduate qualification in air transport or a related field desirable, and professional membership with a relevant institution.
• Strong understanding of airportstrategy, operational interfaces, and development drivers, including passenger and baggage flows, retail and commercial planning, and surface access integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, multi‑disciplinary projects, delivering high-quality outputs on time and within budget.
• Proven ability to operate effectively at senior client and stakeholder level, influencing decision‑making and managing risk.
• Solid understanding of commercial, contractual, and financial aspects of consultancy project delivery.
• A clear track record of successful business development, including leading bids, winning work, and growing client accounts.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced consultancy environment with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• Willingness to travel periodically for short‑term project assignments.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

#DAT #LI-UKI

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.