Regional Aviation Program & Business Development Leader – Southeast

WSP; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Regional Aviation Program & Business Development Leader to lead the aviation practice growth in the Southeast U.S. This role focuses on strategic planning, project development, and cross‑line collaboration across airports in the Southeast region, including GA and major hubs, with a travel requirement to support execution and client relations.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years in aviation program management, strong leadership, and a proven ability to win and deliver large

Qualifications

• Subject matter expertise on program management and design of infrastructure projects/programs focusing on all areas of the airport.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Planning, Construction or similar fields.
• 15+ years of professional experience and leadership.
• Significant experience working within aviation.
• Well-developed experience in strategic leadership.
• Strong ability in operational issues and solving technical problems with complexity.
• Demonstrates excellence in providing high quality technical performance and oversight through innovative thinking and application of tools.
• Ability to lead and manage others in producing high quality technical and professional deliverables on projects, initiatives, and programs.
• Knowledge of business finances and the impact of decisions to the bottom line.
• Significant client-facing experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with FAA advisory circulars and procedures and Airport Sponsor processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must have ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of industry, government, public and private contracts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• Valid driver’s license must meet standards to qualify for and maintain the Company's vehicle driving privileges as outlined in the Company's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• This position requires moderate travel across Southeast region and nationally, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute aviation portion of strategic plan with a focus on driving growth at ATL, MCO, MIA, CLT, FLL, BNA, TPA, RDU, RSW, MEM, CHS, SAV, MYR, TYS, GSP, and other identified airports in the region.
• Create opportunities and execute aviation projects with airports, major air carriers, cargo integrators, developers and constructors in the region.
• Identify and support cross-business line opportunities.
• Leverage relationships, build partnerships, and recruit top talent that will enable us to deliver the best solutions for our aviation clients in the region.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other markets and business lines team members, as well as the client account executive sponsors.
• Recruit, develop and retain staff for growth of the aviation business.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams on aviation design and program/construction, managing projects and budgets, preparation, and development of project scope of work and cost proposals, and other duties as required.
• Provide situational guidance to PMs and managers that address current and future challenges, and recommendations. accurately account for and address risk, innovation, and Future Ready opportunities.
• Provide leadership with ensuring that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.
• Develop technical & price proposals, task budgets and invoice review by utilizing/collaborating with our internal systems and teams.
• Manage scope, schedule and budget for personnel assigned to projects/programs.
• Complete project reviews to ensure project profitability and client satisfaction.
• Coordinate the assignment of personnel with contracts and project timelines.
• Manage WSP’s participation and leadership at industry events.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program management

Aviation industry

Client engagement

Budget management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Risk management

FAA rules

Contract management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/architecture

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a talentedRegional Aviation Program & Business Development Leaderto join our National Aviation team in ouroffices in Southeast USA.This role has a specific focus on creating partnership and opportunity in our professional services portfolio at airports in the Southeast region states of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North & South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama. The candidate will be part of a growing organization that is positioned to meet our clients’ objectives and solve their challenges. In addition, this position will help drive growth and project/program development of our aviation practice within the Southeast Region.

WSP’s national aviation team provides planning, design, engineering, program/construction management in all areas of aviation infrastructure. In addition, WSP has a global aviation footprint, which provides exposure and experience around the world to our team members on projects and programs. This leader would help us build additional depth, capacity and project opportunity in the geography.

The Regional Aviation Program & Business Development Manager will work closely with local and regional leadership to promote a proactive business development operation, partnering with all business lines to align priorities and drive successful client, pursuit, proposal, and visibility activities at the various airports within the states noted above. We are looking for someone that is an excellent communicator, is highly strategic, can influence and inspire others, and brings a deep understanding of the aviation industry, clients, and competition. We are future-focused and are looking for a leader who can leverage technology and global resources to win and deliver work. We believe in shaping the future. The right candidate will be an empathetic leader who builds community through positivity and who can bring home the win.

Your Impact

• Create and execute aviation portion of strategic plan with a focus on driving growth at ATL, MCO, MIA, CLT, FLL, BNA, TPA, RDU, RSW, MEM, CHS, SAV, MYR, TYS, GSP, and at other identified airports in the region.

• Create opportunities and execute aviation projects with airports, major air carriers, cargo integrators, developers and constructors in the region.

• Identify and support cross-business line opportunities.

• Leverage relationships, build partnerships, and recruit top talent that will enable us to deliver the best solutions for our aviation clients in the region.

• Collaborate and coordinate with other markets and business lines team members, as well as the client account executive sponsors.

• Recruit, develop and retain staff for growth of the aviation business.

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams on aviation design and program/construction, managing projects and budgets, preparation, and development of project scope of work and cost proposals, and other duties as required.

• Provide situational guidance to PMs and managers that address current and future challenges, and recommendations. accurately account for and address risk, innovation, and Future Ready opportunities.

• Provide leadership with ensuring that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

• Develop technical & price proposals, task budgets and invoice review by utilizing/collaborating with our internal systems and teams.

• Manage scope, schedule and budget for personnel assigned to projects/programs.

• Complete project reviews to ensure project profitability and client satisfaction.

• Coordinate the assignment of personnel with contracts and project timelines.

• Manage WSP’s participation and leadership at industry events.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Subject matter expertise on program management and design of infrastructure projects/programs focusing on all areas of the airport (Passenger Terminal, Cargo and Hangar facilities, Automated People Mover, Airside and Landside Infrastructure).

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Planning, Construction or similar fields.

• 15+ years of professional experience and leadership.

• Significant experience working within aviation.

• Well-developed experience in strategic leadership.

• Strong ability in operational issues and solving technical problems with complexity.

• Demonstrates excellence in providing high quality technical performance and oversight through innovative thinking and application of tools.

• Ability to lead and manage others in producing high quality technical and professional deliverables on projects, initiatives, and programs.

• Knowledge of business finances and the impact of decisions to the bottom line.

• Significant client-facing experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with FAA advisory circulars and procedures and Airport Sponsor processes.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Must have ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of industry, government, public and private contracts.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.

• Valid driver’s license must meet standards to qualify for and maintain the Company's vehicle driving privileges as outlined in the Company's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy.

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.

• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

• This position requires moderate travel across Southeast region and nationally, as needed.