Architecture Director - Aviation

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The Aviation Architecture Director role is a senior work-winning, technical and project leadership role responsible for fronting major aviation design programmes across the UK & Ireland.

The role provides senior leadership on flagship aviation programmes and major pursuits, typically involving CAPEX values in excess of £200m, complex regulatory environments and multi‑partner delivery models within live operational airports.

Operating in close collaboration with Market Sector Leadership and Client Account Managers, including across our Europe and India Region, the role has a primary focus on project leadership, delivery assurance and bid credibility, providing confidence and continuity from early concept and statutory stages through procurement and transition into delivery.

This role requires a recognised and highly experienced Aviation Architect, with a strong industry profile, deep technical competence, and the gravitas to represent AECOM credibly at executive client and stakeholder level.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the architectural delivery of large-scale aviation programmes, including terminals, satellites, piers and integrated landside and airside facilities within live operational airports, typically between 30-100 mppa, ensuring quality, safety, innovation, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee multidisciplinary coordination across architecture, structures, MEP, fire, security, digital, and specialist transportation systems.
• Serve as Design Lead / Project Director on complex airport projects or wider Airport development programmes.
• Ensure compliance with aviation regulations, airport development and terminal planning principles, passenger flow strategies, security requirements, and operational and commercial constraints.
• Manage risk, project governance, technical reviews, and quality processes.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary senior interface with airport authorities, operators, concessionaires, developers, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Influence early-stage strategy, terminal and station concepts, optioneering, and masterplanning decisions.
• Represent AECOM in workshops, steering groups, executive reviews, and project governance forums.
• Build long-term relationships that drive repeat work and client trust.

Business Development & Bids

• Act as the accountable Architectural lead and a visible differentiator on major aviation pursuits, adding sector credibility and technical authority.
• Shape winning strategies for Major Pursuits, ECI bids, frameworks, design competitions, and long-term airport partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Work Winning team to develop proposals, presentations, and client engagement plans.
• Identify new business opportunities across UK and international airports, emerging aviation technologies, and major airport redevelopment and expansion programmes.

Technical Leadership

• Lead and mentor teams on aviation architecture including terminal planning, wayfinding, passenger experience, flows, resilience, security and operational readiness.
• Operate effectively within highly regulated environments, including DCO processes, operational change, security compliance and safety‑critical interfaces.
• Drive innovation in digital delivery including BIM, computational design, digital twins, simulation.
• Champion sustainability, low‑carbon solutions, and AECOM’s ESG commitments within aviation environments.
• Provide specialist guidance on terminal planning, piers, baggage systems, aircraft stand layouts, landside & airside integration, forecourts and multi-modal airport access

Team & Practice Development

• Mentor the next generation of aviation architects and project leaders with a focus on project delivery, major bids and client-facing capability.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, and capability development within the Architecture + Design practice.
• Help shape AECOM’s UK and Global aviation strategy in collaboration with business line leadership.

• Qualified Architect (ARB / RIBA) or equivalent.
• Industry-recognised leader in aviation architecture and complex airport environments, with a portfolio of major airport projects.
• Experience of client account development and management in the Aviation sector.
• Experience delivering large-scale projects (£200m+) with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven project leadership experience in high-pressure, complex environments.
• Credibility to act as Design Lead or Project Director on flagship aviation programmes.
• Demonstrated success in bids, client leadership, and market-facing roles.
• Strong understanding of Aviation Architecture, and complex airport environments.
• Proficiency with BIM-based workflows; familiarity with computational/ digital tools.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in major UK or international airports.
• Experience interfacing with contractors under DfMA, ECI, and Design & Build environments.
• Understanding of global aviation trends

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [email protected]  if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.