Programme Director - Aviation

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WSP is seeking an experienced Aviation Programme Director to lead its Middle East aviation team in Sharjah, blending strategic oversight with hands-on delivery across a portfolio of complex airport projects. The role drives programme governance, QA/QC, and business development, cultivating client relationships and shaping winning proposals to expand WSP’s aviation footprint. You will lead design and delivery of airport infrastructure from concept through commissioning, champion BIM and GIS, ensure compliance with ICAO, FAA, IATA, ACI and regional standards, and steer masterplanning, ORAT readiness, and sustainability. Requires 15+ years in airport design and mega projects, degree in civil or architecture related field, Chartered Engineer preferred. To apply, tailor your CV to showcase leadership of multi-discipline teams, successful bids, and measurable delivery results, provide concrete examples of ORAT and stakeholder engagement, and include a short cover letter explaining fit for Sharjah and WSP’s OneWSP approach.

We are seeking an experienced Aviation Programme Director, to contribute to the growing Aviation Team here  
in the Middle East. The Aviation Programme Director role  plays a pivotal senior leadership role, steering a diverse portfolio of complex aviation projects across the Middle  East. The position blends strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, ensuring that major airport and aviation infrastructure programmes meet the highest standards of technical excellence, safety, and stakeholder alignment. Beyond programme execution, the director drives business development - cultivating client relationships, identifying  emerging opportunities, and shaping winning proposals  that expand WSP’s aviation footprint in the region. It’s a role that demands vision, commercial acumen, and the ability to orchestrate multidisciplinary teams toward  transformative outcomes in one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the  future of airport design, delivering world-class facilities that enhance operational efficiency, passenger experience, and  environmental sustainability. 

Technical Leadership & Project Delivery:

• Lead the project delivery of various scopes of work with an initial focus for the delivery of the Concept of  Operations for DWC phase 2.  
• Translate operational and user requirements into spatially coherent layouts that reflect passenger, staff,  service, and equipment flows, ensuring clarity, efficiency  and functional alignment.  
• Support airport masterplanning activities by assisting in the preparation of concept building footprints, interface  zones, circulation concepts and area relationships across  landside, airside and support facility environments.  I
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies, missing elements and operational misalignments, providing clear corrective  recommendations and contributing to the refinement of Scope of Work and associated deliverables.
• Support WSP’s QA/QC processes by ensuring all design outputs meet project requirements, client expectations  and WSP quality benchmarks. 
• Lead and contribute to the design and engineering of airport infrastructure, including runways, taxiways,  aprons, terminals, and airside/landside facilities, ensuring compliance with ICAO, FAA, IATA, ACI, and regional regulations. 
• Oversee the full project lifecycle from concept development and feasibility studies to detailed design, construction support, and commissioning of aviation  projects.  
  Drive the adoption of BIM, GIS, and advanced digital design tools to enhance project efficiency and accuracy.
• Develop strategies to future-proof airport infrastructure, incorporating emerging technologies, climate resilience, and net-zero sustainability goals. 
  
  Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key  stakeholders, including airport authorities, airlines,  government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry  partners.
• Collaborate with architects, planners, contractors, and  subcontractors to align design solutions with operational and safety requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, understanding their needs and expectations while ensuring project objectives are met.  
• Represent the company in industry forums, working  groups, and regulatory discussions to influence aviation infrastructure policies and standards.  
• Participate in workshops and coordination meetings with airport authorities, operators, airlines, government  entities and project partners, offering clear explanations of functional design intent, spatial logic and layout development.
• Capture operational feedback, user needs and stakeholder comments, translating them into updated layouts, diagrams, functional narratives and structured  documentation.  
• Prepare technical notes, functional design reports, diagrams, briefings, presentation materials and  
  submission packages that support project communication and decision-making.  

• Collaborate with other Business Units to develop and  deliver a ‘OneWSP’ service offering to aviation clients.  

  Business Development & Strategic Growth: 

• Develop and implement strategies to secure and deliver  major aviation projects, aligning with business objectives and market opportunities. 
• Identify new business opportunities, contribute to  proposals, and lead bid strategies to secure high-profile  airport infrastructure projects.  
• Work closely with the local and global aviation  leadership to share best practices, resources, and  
  technical expertise to enhance overall company  capabilities.
• Support the development of aviation proposals, RFP responses and bid submissions by preparing  
  methodologies, design approaches, scope definitions,  delivery strategies, effort estimates and sample layouts.  
• Work closely with project managers to define design- related milestones, delivery plans and task allocations, ensuring alignment between design activities and PM  structures. 
• Provide design-oriented support throughout the project lifecycle to ensure that planning, coordination, delivery  and client communication are seamlessly integrated
   

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering,  Structural Engineering, Architecture, Aviation Planning, or a related field.  
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, PE, or equivalent) certification preferred. 
• 15+ years of experience in airport design and delivery, engineering, and project management, including leadership roles in major aviation projects.
• Proven expertise in overseeing and delivering all  components of new airfield design and development.
• Extensive experience working on complex mega airport projects and multi-billion-dollar infrastructure developments. 

• Understanding of all aspects of design delivery including both AIA and RIBA stages including Operational  Readiness (ORAT) and Handover.  

  
  
  Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.
  
  Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. 
  
  With us, you can. Apply today.
   

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