Senior Project Director, Airports
About the role
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.
We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
Role description: The Senior Project Director, Airports leads the strategic direction, delivery, and management of complex airport engineering projects within the aviation sector. This role oversees multidisciplinary teams, manages large-scale budgets, and ensures projects meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards. The director acts as the primary point of contact for clients, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities, driving innovative solutions and technological advancement in airport infrastructure and operations.
This role sits in our Mobility Global Business Area, (GBA). We partner with our clients across the globe to design thriving and connected cities and communities that enable opportunity for all and keep the world moving. Climate change, urbanization and digitization trends are requiring today’s mobility projects and systems to address an evolving set of demands from the world’s growing population. We design connected, sustainable solutions that integrate existing infrastructure with new technologies, and optimize the mobility of people and goods.
Role accountabilities: In this role, you will lead, mentor, and supervise engineering project teams to ensure the successful delivery of airport infrastructure projects on schedule and within budget. You will foster a culture of technical excellence, integration among disciplines (eliminate silos), efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement among your teams, ensuring they are empowered to perform at their best and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
You will be responsible for developing, managing, and controlling project budgets, schedules, and resources, applying robust risk management, change control, and performance monitoring practices throughout all phases of the project lifecycle. In this role, you will evaluate and implement emerging technologies and digital solutions to enhance engineering processes, drive sustainability, and improve the quality of our products. You will actively promote innovation in both design and construction methods, ensuring our projects remain at the forefront of the industry.
Compliance with federal, provincial, and local aviation regulations, as well as industry standards such as those set by the FAA and ICAO, will be a central focus. In this role, you will ensure all projects align with Arcadis’ quality management systems, ISO 19650 for digital information management compliance for asset lifecycle, including planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance for reliable services. This role will collaborate with regulatory agencies to secure necessary approvals and certifications. You will also develop strategic objectives, business plans, and operational policies for the airport engineering function, building strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders to identify new opportunities and deliver exceptional value.
Finally, you will champion best practices in safety, sustainability, and digital information management and transformation while remaining current on industry trends, technology advancements, and regulatory changes. Leveraging this knowledge, you will inform project delivery strategies and support business development efforts, positioning Arcadis as a leader in the aviation engineering sector.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline (required)
- Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) license (preferred)
- Minimum 12+ years’ experience in engineering leadership roles within the aviation sector, including delivery of large-scale airport projects
- Proven track record in managing multidisciplinary teams, complex budgets, and project portfolios
- In-depth knowledge of aviation industry standards, codes, and federal regulations (FAA, ICAO, IATA)
- Experience implementing digital tools (such as BIM, GIS, project management platforms) to work in common data environments and supporting adoption of emerging engineering technologies
- Strong client-facing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Demonstrated ability to lead innovation, drive change, and deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions with a culture of accountability
- Excellent communication, organizational, problem solving, customer service and analytical skills
Why Arcadis?
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.
You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.
Together, we can create a lasting legacy.
Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $240,000. The base salary represents Arcadis’ hiring range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as location, skills, experience, and qualification for the role.
About Arcadis
Arcadis is your global sustainable transformation partner. Proven pioneers for a sustainable future, partnering on the most transformative projects of our time.
With over 36,000 people active in more than 30 countries, we bring together the best minds from around the world to deliver intelligent products and solutions that address the challenges of climate change, energy affordability and livable cities. We go beyond traditional design, engineering, architecture and consultancy, using data-driven insights for tailored solutions in the environments we co-create.
Whether reducing flood risks in the Netherlands, strengthening New York’s coastlines against hurricanes or revolutionizing Sydney’s transit system, our world-changing solutions leave a positive and lasting impact.
Our work has helped more than a third of the world's communities become more resilient, and hundreds of clients to advance their decarbonization and net-zero goals. Together, we are committed to solving today's greatest problems; and creating a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future, designed to thrive.
Arcadis. Improving quality of life.
Senior Project Director, Airports
About the role
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.
We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
Role description: The Senior Project Director, Airports leads the strategic direction, delivery, and management of complex airport engineering projects within the aviation sector. This role oversees multidisciplinary teams, manages large-scale budgets, and ensures projects meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards. The director acts as the primary point of contact for clients, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities, driving innovative solutions and technological advancement in airport infrastructure and operations.
This role sits in our Mobility Global Business Area, (GBA). We partner with our clients across the globe to design thriving and connected cities and communities that enable opportunity for all and keep the world moving. Climate change, urbanization and digitization trends are requiring today’s mobility projects and systems to address an evolving set of demands from the world’s growing population. We design connected, sustainable solutions that integrate existing infrastructure with new technologies, and optimize the mobility of people and goods.
Role accountabilities: In this role, you will lead, mentor, and supervise engineering project teams to ensure the successful delivery of airport infrastructure projects on schedule and within budget. You will foster a culture of technical excellence, integration among disciplines (eliminate silos), efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement among your teams, ensuring they are empowered to perform at their best and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
You will be responsible for developing, managing, and controlling project budgets, schedules, and resources, applying robust risk management, change control, and performance monitoring practices throughout all phases of the project lifecycle. In this role, you will evaluate and implement emerging technologies and digital solutions to enhance engineering processes, drive sustainability, and improve the quality of our products. You will actively promote innovation in both design and construction methods, ensuring our projects remain at the forefront of the industry.
Compliance with federal, provincial, and local aviation regulations, as well as industry standards such as those set by the FAA and ICAO, will be a central focus. In this role, you will ensure all projects align with Arcadis’ quality management systems, ISO 19650 for digital information management compliance for asset lifecycle, including planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance for reliable services. This role will collaborate with regulatory agencies to secure necessary approvals and certifications. You will also develop strategic objectives, business plans, and operational policies for the airport engineering function, building strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders to identify new opportunities and deliver exceptional value.
Finally, you will champion best practices in safety, sustainability, and digital information management and transformation while remaining current on industry trends, technology advancements, and regulatory changes. Leveraging this knowledge, you will inform project delivery strategies and support business development efforts, positioning Arcadis as a leader in the aviation engineering sector.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline (required)
- Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) license (preferred)
- Minimum 12+ years’ experience in engineering leadership roles within the aviation sector, including delivery of large-scale airport projects
- Proven track record in managing multidisciplinary teams, complex budgets, and project portfolios
- In-depth knowledge of aviation industry standards, codes, and federal regulations (FAA, ICAO, IATA)
- Experience implementing digital tools (such as BIM, GIS, project management platforms) to work in common data environments and supporting adoption of emerging engineering technologies
- Strong client-facing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Demonstrated ability to lead innovation, drive change, and deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions with a culture of accountability
- Excellent communication, organizational, problem solving, customer service and analytical skills
Why Arcadis?
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.
You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.
Together, we can create a lasting legacy.
Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $240,000. The base salary represents Arcadis’ hiring range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as location, skills, experience, and qualification for the role.
About Arcadis
Arcadis is your global sustainable transformation partner. Proven pioneers for a sustainable future, partnering on the most transformative projects of our time.
With over 36,000 people active in more than 30 countries, we bring together the best minds from around the world to deliver intelligent products and solutions that address the challenges of climate change, energy affordability and livable cities. We go beyond traditional design, engineering, architecture and consultancy, using data-driven insights for tailored solutions in the environments we co-create.
Whether reducing flood risks in the Netherlands, strengthening New York’s coastlines against hurricanes or revolutionizing Sydney’s transit system, our world-changing solutions leave a positive and lasting impact.
Our work has helped more than a third of the world's communities become more resilient, and hundreds of clients to advance their decarbonization and net-zero goals. Together, we are committed to solving today's greatest problems; and creating a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future, designed to thrive.
Arcadis. Improving quality of life.