ORAT Manager - Airport Readiness

Parsons; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeks an ORAT Manager – Airport Readiness to lead operational readiness, airport transfer, testing, trials and certification for a major airfield development. You will drive the ORAT strategy, governance, and cross‑functional coordination with operators, regulators, and contractors.

The role requires extensive experience in airport projects, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of ICAO/IATA standards to ensure a smooth opening and compliant transition to live

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aviation management, operations management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification in airport management, aviation or project management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the airfield readiness and airport transfer strategy.
• Prepare ORAT roadmap, milestones, readiness criteria and governance procedures.
• Define scope, objectives, deliverables and success measures for airside and landside readiness.
• Align ORAT activities with construction completion, systems commissioning and opening dates.
• Lead readiness planning for airfield facilities, systems, teams and services.
• Manage transition from construction to live airport operations.
• Coordinate phased openings, soft launches, shadow operations and final activation.

Skills

ORAT management

Stakeholder coordination

Airside operations

Operational readiness

Risk & issue management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/aviation

Postgraduate airport management/PM

Tools

PM tools

Job description

Overview

ORAT Manager – Airport Readiness (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) is a senior position responsible for leading operational readiness, airport transfer, testing, trials, certification, and transition activities for a major airfield development.

Job Details

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Industry: Airlines / Aviation
• Function: Project-Program Management
• Job Type: Full‑time
• Experience Required: Minimum 15 years
• Salary: 38,000 – 52,000 (estimated, based on similar jobs in the city; confirm final offer with the employer)

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the airfield operational readiness and airport transfer strategy.
• Prepare the ORAT roadmap, execution plan, milestones, readiness criteria, and governance procedures.
• Define the scope, objectives, deliverables, responsibilities, and success measures for airside and landside readiness.
• Align ORAT activities with construction completion, systems commissioning, certification, and operational opening dates.
• Lead readiness planning for airfield facilities, airport systems, operational teams, and support services.
• Manage the transition from construction to live airport operations.
• Coordinate phased openings, soft launches, shadow operations, and final activation.
• Ensure asset handover activities are planned, documented, and completed.
• Coordinate operating manuals, standard operating procedures, maintenance records, training materials, and handover documentation.
• Plan and oversee integrated testing, operational trials, simulations, and readiness exercises.
• Confirm participation from airport operators, airlines, regulators, ground handlers, emergency services, and other operational stakeholders.
• Coordinate readiness activities for baggage handling systems, airport operational databases, flight information display systems, security systems, and air traffic control interfaces.
• Support the testing and integration of airfield ground lighting, safety systems, communications, and operational technology.
• Identify defects, readiness gaps, system failures, procedural weaknesses, and operational risks during trials.
• Assign corrective actions and monitor their completion before airport opening.
• Act as the primary ORAT interface between project teams and operational stakeholders.
• Coordinate airport operators, airlines, regulators, concessionaires, contractors, consultants, and service providers.
• Facilitate readiness workshops, trial planning sessions, stakeholder reviews, and executive briefings.
• Maintain transparent communication across all parties throughout the readiness lifecycle.
• Coordinate with aviation authorities, state agencies, emergency services, and security organizations.
• Ensure readiness activities comply with applicable national and international aviation requirements.
• Support airport certification, licensing, operating approvals, and regulatory submissions.
• Verify alignment with ICAO, IATA, and relevant local aviation standards.
• Ensure the safety management system is operational before opening.
• Coordinate testing of emergency response plans, incident procedures, escalation arrangements, and recovery protocols.
• Identify operational, technical, regulatory, resource, and programme risks affecting readiness.
• Maintain the ORAT risk register and dependency tracker.
• Develop mitigation plans and contingency measures for critical readiness risks.
• Lead issue‑resolution activities to protect opening milestones and minimize operational disruption.
• Monitor construction, commissioning, documentation, training, and stakeholder readiness dependencies.
• Coordinate with project controls teams to track ORAT milestones and critical‑path activities.
• Lead the Parsons ORAT team, consultants, contractors, and operational specialists.
• Define team responsibilities, reporting arrangements, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Mentor junior ORAT personnel and operational readiness specialists.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, safety, and a results‑focused working culture.
• Prepare ORAT dashboards, readiness reports, issue summaries, and risk updates.
• Present status, recommendations, decisions, and opening‑readiness assessments to senior management.
• Provide objective advice on phased activation, transfer sequencing, and operational launch strategy.
• Support final readiness reviews and go‑live decision‑making.
• Capture lessons learned and apply continuous improvements throughout the ORAT programme.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, aviation management, operations management, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in airport management, aviation, or project management is preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in airport projects, aviation operations, or major infrastructure programmes.
• Proven experience as an ORAT Manager or Senior ORAT Lead.
• Successful involvement in at least one major airport opening, expansion, airfield development, or terminal activation.
• Strong experience with airside operations and integrated airport systems.
• In‑depth knowledge of operational readiness and airport transfer methodologies.
• Practical understanding of airport opening frameworks, readiness assessments, trial operations, and activation planning.
• Strong knowledge of ICAO, IATA, and local aviation regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting airport certification, licensing, and operational approvals.
• Strong understanding of airport IT and operational systems integration.
• Experience coordinating baggage systems, operational databases, flight information systems, security platforms, and airfield systems.
• Previous involvement in phased openings, brownfield transitions, or multi‑terminal airport projects.
• Ability to coordinate construction, commissioning, operations, technology, and regulatory teams.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent planning, organization, risk management, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to manage complex dependencies in a high‑pressure, time‑critical environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools, reporting systems, and readiness dashboards.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior executives, operators, authorities, and technical teams.
• Strong professional judgment, accountability, and client‑service orientation.

Skills Set

• Operational readiness and airport transfer
• ORAT strategy
• Airport opening planning
• Airfield operational readiness
• Airport transition management
• Phased airport opening
• Soft launch planning
• Shadow operations
• Integrated systems testing
• Operational trials
• Airport simulations
• Asset handover
• Airport certification
• Aviation regulatory compliance
• ICAO standards
• IATA standards
• Safety management systems
• Emergency response planning
• Baggage handling systems
• Airport operational database
• Flight information display systems
• Air traffic control interfaces
• Airfield ground lighting
• Airport security systems
• Airport IT integration
• Operational risk management
• Readiness dashboards
• Stakeholder coordination
• Airline coordination
• Ground handler coordination
• Regulatory liaison
• Issue management
• Transition planning
• Team leadership