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.