GM - Master Planning -

GMR Group; Delhi; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

GMR Group is seeking a seasoned Head – Airports Master Planning to steer the long-term airport development roadmap. You will translate strategic growth goals into integrated masterplans covering terminals, airside and landside infrastructure, coordinating with cross-functional teams and regulators for timely phased implementation.

You will lead capacity planning, zoning, and design coordination, ensuring ICAO/DGCA compliance and integration with commercial and connectivity projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, or Aviation Planning; Master’s in Airport Planning, Urban Design, or Transportation Engineering preferred.
• At least 16 years in aeronautical/airport planning roles with hands-on experience in greenfield and brownfield projects.

Responsibilities

• Formulate & implement comprehensive airport master plans including phased development aligned with forecasted air traffic, business objectives, and long-term operational needs.
• Collaborate with internal teams to integrate airside, terminal, and landside planning with commercial and support infrastructure.
• Lead planning reviews during construction and ensure alignment with master planning principles and development objectives.
• Maintain documentation, compliance oversight, and reporting to leadership and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Project Management

Regulatory Compliance

Analytical Thinking

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, or Aviation Planning; Master’s in Airport Planning, Urban Design, or Transportation Engineering preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

AviPLAN

AirTOP

CAST

GIS

Job description

JOB PURPOSE

JOB PURPOSE The Head – Airports Master Planning is responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and supporting the execution of the long-term development roadmap for the airports. The role translates strategic growth objectives into integrated masterplans covering terminals, airside and cityside infrastructure. It involves reviewing technical assumptions, coordinating with cross-functional teams, ensuring regulatory alignment, and tracking phased implementation. The position also provides planning support for commercial and connectivity projects, while maintaining documentation, compliance oversight, and reporting to leadership and regulatory bodies.

ORGANISATION CHART Sector Head- Master Planning (Infra Planning & Dev) --> Head- Airports Master Planning

Responsibilities

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Strategic & Technical Master Planning

• Formulate & implement comprehensive airport master plans including phased development aligned with forecasted air traffic, business objectives, and long-term operational needs.
• Facilitate integration of airside, terminal, and landside planning with commercial, cargo, and support infrastructure.
• Collaborate with the sector head to periodically update the master plan to reflect demand growth, policy shifts, technological changes, and land availability.
• Monitor and advise on height restrictions, radar/NAVAID protection, and ICAO Annex 14 compliance in and around the airport.
• Adherence to Master Plan provisions

Aeronautical Planning- Technical Aspects

• Plan and optimize runway orientation, length, and configuration based on wind analysis, airspace constraints, and operational requirements.
• Define taxiway network layout (parallel, rapid-exit, loop, cross, and connecting taxiways) for operational efficiency and minimal aircraft taxi time.
• Design apron layouts to accommodate a range of aircraft types (Code C to Code F), including remote stands, contact gates, and GSE movement corridors.
• Conduct Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) and Protected Surface Analysis in line with ICAO Annex 14 and DGCA CARs.
• Evaluate airspace design, flight procedures, and coordinate with AAI for integration into regional air navigation planning.
• Analyze aircraft movement forecasts to assess runway and taxiway capacity using simulation tools (e.g., SIMMOD, CAST).
• Plan airside safety zones including RESA, Runway Strip, Taxiway Strips, and Blast Pads as per regulatory norms.
• Accuracy of aeronautical planning aspects
• Adherence to statutory guidelines
• No. of non-compliance cases

Capacity Planning & Forecasting

• Lead traffic forecasting for passenger, cargo, and aircraft movements using data modeling and scenario-based forecasting.
• Conduct infrastructure capacity assessments across airside (runway, taxiway, apron), terminal (check-in, security, immigration), and landside (access roads, parking).
• Define and validate Level of Service (LoS) standards and saturation triggers for timely expansion planning.
• Accuracy of capacity assessments

Land Use & Zoning

• Optimize zoning for aeronautical, commercial, cargo, and support functions to ensure flexibility and expansion potential.
• Coordinate with urban planners and city authorities for off-airport zoning, land acquisition, and access planning.
• Adherence to land zoning guidelines

Design Coordination & Implementation Support

• Review and approve spatial layouts, concept designs, and design briefs from architects and engineering consultants.
• Drive embedding of master planning principles in detailed design and execution phases.
• Lead planning reviews during construction to address changes, phasing adjustments, or technical deviations.
• Adherence to master planning principles

Responsibilities

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES - Additional Details

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with DGCA, MoCA, ICAO, AAI, BCAS, and other regulators for approvals and compliance.
• Interface with internal teams (Engineering, Commercial, Operations, Safety, ESG) to ensure alignment.
• Collaborate with airline partners, cargo operators, ground handlers, and concessionaires for infrastructure planning inputs.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction Score

Innovation, Benchmarking & Sustainability

• Benchmark global best practices in airport master planning, modular terminal designs, aerodrome safety, and capacity building.
• Promote sustainable airport design, including integration of solar energy, green buildings, and efficient multimodal connectivity.
• Incorporate digital tools (e.g., BIM, GIS, digital twins) into the planning process for visualization and impact analysis.
• Innovation adoption rate

Documentation, Compliance Review & Reporting

• Maintain, review, and update all master planning documents, including layouts, planning briefs, strategy decks, feasibility reports, and SOPs.
• Review consultant submissions and internal proposals to validate alignment with master planning principles and development objectives.
• Completeness of master planning documents

Team Development and Management

• Conduct periodic evaluations, identify training needs, facilitate skill development programs, and enhance team competencies.
• Address team concerns, provide guidance, and create opportunities for professional growth.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Attrition rates
• Employee Engagement scores

EXTERNAL INTERACTIONS

• Airport Authority of India
• Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Deputy General of Civil Aviation
• Bureau of Civil Aviation & Security
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

INTERNAL INTERACTIONS

• Airside and Terminal Operation, Commercial Aero & Non-Aero
• Project & Engineering, SPG, Commercial Property Development
• Aviation Services, Fire & Safety, Connectivity, Security
• Environmental, Finance

FINANCIAL DIMENSIONS

• Directly not a cost center, but indirectly monitors and effectively controls the entire development program conducted under by various units at the airports

OTHER DIMENSIONS

• Consultants hired as per the projects

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, or Aviation Planning; Master’s in Airport Planning, Urban Design, or Transportation Engineering preferred.
• In-depth understanding of ICAO Annex 14, IATA ADRM, FAA ACs, and DGCA CARs.
• Proficiency in airport planning tools like AutoCAD, AviPLAN, AirTOP, CAST, GIS, or similar simulation and visualization tools.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• At least 16 years including at least 8 years in aeronautical/airport planning roles with hands‑on experience in greenfield and brownfield projects

COMPETENCIES

• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking
• Planning & Decision Making
• Capability Building
• Strategic Orientation
• Stakeholder Focus
• Networking
• Execution & Results
• Teamwork & Interpersonal influence
• Personal Effectiveness
• Social Awareness
• Entrepreneurship
• Aviation Demand Forecasting and Provision of Balanced Capacity (Expert)
• Airport Master Planning Fundamentals (Expert)
• Obstacle Limitation Surfaces and Obstacle Planning (Expert)
• Airside Safety and Regulatory Compliance (Expert)
• Aeronautical (Airside) Facilities Planning (Expert)
• General Aviation Terminals, Hangars and MRO Facilities Planning (Expert)
• Land Use Zoning and Spatial Allocation (Expert)
• Air Traffic Services and Airspace Planning (Expert)
• Aircraft Gate Stand Parking (Expert)
• Terminal Functional Planning (Expert)
• Design Integration and Interface Management (Expert)
• Commercial Lands and Urban Interface Planning (Expert)
• Cityside Connectivity and Transportation Planning (Expert)
• Cost Benefit and Feasibility Analysis (Expert)
• Environmental Planning and Sustainability and Resiliency (Expert)
• Simulation, Modelling and Visualization Tools (Expert)
• Airport Concession Feasibility Support (Expert)
• Aviation Security Systems and BCAS Compliance (Expert)