Aviation Growth & Programme Director (UK & Ireland)

AECO; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Aviation Client & Programme Director to lead the growth of our Aviation business across the UK & Ireland. Reporting to the Sector Director, you will shape growth strategy, win major opportunities (> $5M) and develop long-term client relationships, delivering flagship programmes with commercial discipline and safety.

This market-facing role requires executive-level engagement with airports and infrastructure owners, cross-border collaboration and a track record of delivering

Qualifications

• Proven success leading the pursuit, capture and conversion of major infrastructure opportunities.
• Established relationships within the aviation sector and credibility with airport operators, infrastructure owners, contractors and delivery partners.
• Demonstrated experience developing client strategies, growing key accounts and securing repeat business.
• Extensive experience leading the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure programmes.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing business performance, profitability and growth.
• Experience operating within a global organisation, leveraging international capability to deliver client value.
• Inspirational leadership with a passion for building high-performing teams and developing future capability.
• A visible advocate for safety, sustainability, innovation and client excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the three-year growth strategy across the UK & Ireland aviation sector and convert priority opportunities.
• Own the client engagement strategy for key aviation clients and develop executive-level relationships.
• Lead pursuit, positioning and capture of major opportunities (> $5M) and drive end-to-end bid development.
• Direct end-to-end work winning process for strategic pursuits with multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop winning strategies leveraging global capability and programme delivery excellence.
• Expand profile through industry engagement and executive relationships.
• Collaborate with global teams to unlock cross-border opportunities.
• Act as executive client sponsor for key aviation accounts and ensure long-term growth.
• Build trusted relationships with infrastructure owners and operators.
• Champion exceptional client experience and continuous performance improvement.
• Oversee major aviation programmes ensuring delivery, schedule, cost and quality.
• Drive profitability and governance across projects and pipelines.
• Foster safety, sustainability and wellbeing in all client engagements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Cross-functional collaboration

Commercial acumen

Global/bid leadership

Job description

AECOM is seeking an Aviation Client & Programme Director to lead the growth of our Aviation business across the UK & Ireland. Reporting to the Sector Director, you will shape growth strategy, win major opportunities (> $5M) and develop long-term client relationships, delivering flagship programmes with commercial discipline and safety.

This market-facing role requires executive-level engagement with airports and infrastructure owners, cross-border collaboration and a track record of delivering