Aviation Engineering Technical Practice Leader - Americas

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering a better world through innovative solutions. The Aviation Engineering Technical Practice Leader will drive practice growth, enhance delivery quality, and represent AECOM in the aviation industry, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for contributing to practice growth, strategy, and sale of AECOM’s services to the Aviation sector, including key strategic customers and partners in the Americas – specifically collaborating with the Regional Aviation Market Sector Leads, Global Aviation team, and Regional Aviation Division Managers
• Works with the other business lines and market sector leaders in the regions to ensure strategic business growth. Support aviation capture managers in winning and delivering major engineering projects
• Build strong relationships and interact with clients, teaming partners, industry groups, and stakeholders linked to the Aviation industry, serving as an ambassador for AECOM
• Drawing on technical expertise participates in the development of capture plans that conform to the business development strategy and technical capabilities
• Involved in national collaboration with Aviation Planning, B+P, Construction Management, and across business lines for aviation civil engineering services
• Develop and implement national strategies for aviation civil engineering projects that align with organizational goals, industry trends, and regulatory frameworks
• Build and structure technical delivery teams with appropriate skills for effective project delivery
• Identify key industry talent and hire key staff based on market strategy
• Expand upon existing strategies to drive organizational growth across the Americas aviation market
• Advise leadership on capabilities of resources that enable market growth and improve geographic reach
• Identify gaps in resources that inhibit growth and develop plans to address them
• Active involvement at project level to either perform QCs or project audits (especially large or high-risk projects) to confirm that we are taking the correct steps and meeting our Standard Operating Procedures
• Identify and train design center quality management leads to establish a network of senior level design quality professionals. Utilize the network to drive workshare across Americas aviation engineering practice
• Define and mitigate risks and commercial terms during the pursuit and contract execution process
• Negotiate favorable contract terms and conditions, manage/contribute to achievement of sales goals, gross margin, backlog, and other financial and business goals
• Serve as Principal in Charge or Project/Program Manager for key pursuits and projects in the Americas that are of strategic importance
• Champion AI engineering initiative / establish working group for aviation civil practice
• Lead all phases of airport infrastructure projects-including planning, budgeting, design, permitting, and construction-ensuring high standards of quality, safety, and timely delivery
• Support project management in accountability of financial performance and productivity during project delivery
• Work closely and coordinate with Regional Managers, Project Directors, Project Mangers, Commercial Managers, Legal/Contract and corporate finance during project delivery
• Ensure full compliance with applicable FAA, ICAO, TSA, and other federal, state, and local regulations, including environmental and safety standards
• Maintain training of staff on design requirements and regulatory compliance
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks throughout project planning and execution, including environmental, geotechnical, and construction-related challenges
• Work in close collaboration with commercial, contracts, finance, legal on the oversight and management of change management, scope in the course of delivery
• Demonstrate familiarity with typical contracts, legal and commercial terms impacting delivery of design work
• Represent AECOM at industry events and maintain regular check-ins with clients
• Increase visibility and engagement at the industry and client levels as the National Engineer Lead
• Serve as the primary liaison with the aviation industry partners such as Airport Consultants Council, American Association of Airport Executives, Airports Council International – North America, and other organizations that support the aviation engineering practice
• Serve as the primary liaison with airport operators, federal agencies (e.g., FAA), state DOTs, consultants, and contractors to foster strong, collaborative relationships
• Build personal relationships with partner firms, clients and contractors in support of strategic initiatives
• Promote the Aviation Engineering Practice within AECOM. Engagement with the AECOM staff and shepherd a strong culture within the Aviation Engineering Practice. This includes office visits to engineering design centers and other AECOM offices
• Assist in recruiting top talent at key locations and conduct office visits. Develop and train the next generation of airport engineers
• Facilitate Engineering Practice calls, lead the annual Aviation Engineering Workshop, and participate in initiatives developed by the Workshop
• Lead Technical Excellence and the Technical Practice Network
• Communication and collaboration nationally to strengthen experience / resumes
• Aviation liaison to assess/establish/grow Landside civil practice
• Provide leadership to large teams made up of multiple design groups for the aviation civil engineering practice
• Inspire and mentor a multidisciplinary team of engineers, project managers, and technical staff

Requirements:

• BA/BS plus 12 years of progressive experience in aviation civil engineering and airport infrastructure projects or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education, including 4 years of leadership
• Experience must demonstrate sales production metrics, demonstrated skills in business development strategy, team leadership, client discovery and development of compelling value propositions that meet client's needs