GM - Master Planning

GMR Group; India; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

GMR Group in India seeks a seasoned Head – Airports Master Planning to translate long-term development roadmaps into integrated masterplans. You will cover terminals, airside and landside infrastructure, coordinating with cross-functional teams to align with growth objectives.

The role requires deep aeronautical planning expertise, regulatory acumen with ICAO/DGCA, and the ability to drive digital tools adoption and reporting to leadership and regulators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering; Master's preferred.
• 16+ years in aeronautical/airport planning with hands-on project experience.
• Proficiency in airport planning tools like AutoCAD, AviPLAN, CAST, GIS.
• Strong knowledge of ICAO Annex 14, DGCA CARs, and regulatory processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and technical airport master planning with phased development.
• Coordinate airside, terminal, and landside planning aligning with business needs.
• Monitor regulatory compliance, engage regulators, and manage stakeholder inputs.
• Review designs, support construction phasing, and ensure documentation completeness.

Skills

Airport Master Planning

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Regulatory Compliance

Data Modelling

Aviation Planning Tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering

Master's in Airport Planning or Transportation Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

AviPLAN

CAST

GIS

Job description

Job Description:

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

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Adherence to Master Plan provisions

Aeronautical Planning- Technical Aspects

• Plan and optimise 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.
• Analyse 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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 modelling 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Adherence to master planning principles

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES - Additional Details

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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 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

• BachelorâÂÂs degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, or Aviation Planning; MasterâÂÂs 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 InterfaceManagement (Expert)
• Commercial Lands and UrbanInterface Planning (Expert)
• Cityside Connectivity and Transportation Planning (Expert)
• Cost Benefit and Feasibility Analysis (Expert)
• Environmental Planning andSustainability and Resiliency (Expert)
• Simulation, Modelling andVisualization Tools (Expert)
• Airport Concession Feasibility Support (Expert)
• Aviation Security Systems andBCAS Compliance (Expert)

Requirements: