Executive Director – Airport Construction & Development

About the role

The Executive Director will lead the planning, construction and delivery of major airport infrastructure programmes for an international EPC/General Contracting firm. The role oversees the full project lifecycle, from pre‑construction studies through execution, commissioning and hand‑over to airport operators.

Key responsibilities

• Define and drive the strategic direction of airport construction and development programmes.
• Manage multimillion‑dollar projects (USD 500 M +) from concept to operational readiness.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams covering engineering, procurement, construction, QA/QC, HSE, commercial and project controls.
• Oversee commercial, contractual and stakeholder relationships with owners, authorities, consultants and international partners.
• Ensure compliance with international airport standards and contractual frameworks (FIDIC, ICAO, IATA, FAA, EASA).
• Control project budgets, schedules and risk registers to achieve delivery targets.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 20 years of experience in construction and infrastructure, with at least 10 years in executive leadership.
• Proven track record delivering large‑scale airport projects for leading EPC or General Contracting firms.
• Experience managing projects valued at USD 500 million or more.
• Extensive knowledge of airport facilities such as terminals, runways, taxiways, aprons, landside access, utilities, MEP, baggage handling, passenger boarding bridges, airfield lighting, security, surveillance and ATC support.

Required skills

• FIDIC contract knowledge.
• Familiarity with ICAO, IATA, FAA and EASA airport standards.
• Expertise in airport infrastructure systems (runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, MEP, BHS, PBB, AGL, security & surveillance, ATC support).
• Project lifecycle management (pre‑construction, execution, commissioning, ORAT).
• Commercial and contractual management.
• Stakeholder management with government entities, airport authorities and international partners.