Airport Commercial Advisory Practice Consultant – HNTB Advisory

HNTB Corporation•Arlington, VA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

HNTB's Advisory practice is seeking a senior airport commercial advisor to build its commercial advisory capability in the aviation space. This role will support airport leadership teams in their decision-making process by framing decisions, clarifying tradeoffs, aligning stakeholders, and translating commercial priorities into clear direction for implementation, funding/financing, and delivery structure. In select pursuits, the role may also support developers and airlines as part of an integrated bid or program team, bringing commercial rigor and practical judgment to strengthen proposals and execution strategies. The position builds on HNTB’s planning, engineering, architecture and program management strengths by adding senior commercial credibility across airport commercial programs and the stakeholder dynamics that shape outcomes. This role defines the commercial questions that matter, reviews key assumptions and work products from internal teams or external specialists, shapes the commercial narrative, and ensures priorities translate into practical scopes, governance, and delivery pathways while keeping the airport owner’s perspective front and center.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in relevant field and 12 years of relevant experience.
Master's degree in relevant field and 10 years of relevant experience.
PhD/JD in relevant field and 8 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of relevant aviation experience in airport commercial strategy/programs, airline commercial functions, airport authority leadership, or specialized aviation advisory.
Demonstrated ability to work directly with airport executives (and/or equivalent senior stakeholders); strong facilitation, judgment, and executive-ready communication.
Solid working knowledge of airport commercial and revenue programs (e.g., concessions, parking, curb/ground transportation/TNC, rental car, advertising/media, cargo/MRO, real estate/landside development) and the stakeholder dynamics that affect outcomes.
Proven capability to frame decisions and guide teams through options and tradeoffs — translating commercial priorities into clear direction for multi-disciplinary delivery teams.
Experience collaborating with legal/procurement and commercial contracting processes (terms, incentives, service levels, governance) in an owner/operator or advisory context.
Experience developing and delivering aviation projects using one or more form of innovative project delivery (CMGC, PDB, P3, etc.)
Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce board/executive-ready materials (decks, memos, workshop outputs).
Experience leading teams and delivering work in a consulting, airport authority, airline, developer, or adjacent advisory environment.
Direct experience supporting competitive pursuits/bids (developer and/or airline teams) and/or shaping stakeholder strategies for procurements.
Strong professional network in the aviation sector, knowledge of key industry players and their strategies, and knowledge of precedent transactions.
Familiarity with airline agreements / use-and-lease dynamics as an interface constraint and stakeholder consideration.
Deeper expertise in one or more commercial verticals (e.g., concessions contracting, curb/ground transport monetization, parking strategy, airport real estate) including practical implementation.
Experience building or scaling a capability (practice development, recruiting, training, thought leadership, account growth).
MBA or relevant graduate degree.

Responsibilities

Build Aviation Work in HNTB: Support and help develop Advisory’s commercial advisory offerings in aviation, including playbooks, tools, and a go-to-market approach.
Collaborate with HNTB’s national aviation practice and aviation resources on local offices, providing added perspective and expertise and supporting pursuits and project delivery where needed.
Recruit, mentor, and develop aviation talent within Advisory and across HNTB to strengthen long-term capability and delivery quality.
Strengthen market presence through thought leadership, client outreach, and business development in coordination with HNTB aviation leadership.
Serve as a trusted advisor to airport owners/authorities (CEO/Executive Director, CFO, CCO, boards) on commercial priorities, stakeholder dynamics, and implementation pathways for complex airport programs.
Drive executive decision-making by developing clear options and recommendations (including tradeoffs, sequencing, and governance) and presenting them through executive workshops and board-ready materials.
Translate commercial priorities into actionable direction for HNTB planning/engineering/architecture and program management teams (requirements, performance outcomes, constraints, integration points, and delivery sequencing).
Assist public airport owners in engaging with industry players to evaluate appetite for specific opportunities and obtain feedback on commercial alternatives, then structuring and conducting procurement processes for selected facilities.
Apply strong working knowledge across airport revenue and commercial programs (concessions, parking, curb/ground transportation/TNC, rental car, advertising/media, cargo/MRO, and real estate/landside development) to inform strategy discussions and support program, contracting, and implementation decisions as needed.
Advise on commercial contracting strategy and performance frameworks (e.g., incentives, service levels, term strategy, governance, revenue-share concepts).
Support capital program affordability and phasing discussions by connecting commercial levers and stakeholder realities to implementable delivery strategies.
Engage airlines, developers, and other partners as needed including supporting integrated bid teams and ensuring feasibility and alignment.
Applies commercial expertise and guidance on project structures, risk allocation, delivery options and contract terms for innovative delivery contracts.
Coordinates commercial considerations across all disciplines within programs.
Develops and implements procurement documentation and strategies.
Engages with industry participants to define and optimize commercial structures and provisions.
Acts as subject matter expert to provide strategic advice and analysis, and engage in marketing and business development, as well as preparing reports and presentations to HNTB leadership and senior client personnel.
Manages tasks or major workstreams independently, and interfaces with senior Advisory and client leadership to ensure 4for4 delivery while managing client relationships and day to day interactions with appropriate counterparts.
Responsible for successful contracting and project execution, working closely with regional HNTB staff and office leadership.
Prepares technical materials for client engagements, including strategic analyses, commercial documentation, technical provisions, procurement documents, and other materials pertaining to applicable subject matter focus.
Trains and instructs line personnel on innovative delivery and other Advisory disciplines.
Advises on business planning and supports marketing efforts of the line organization.
Works with the line organization in a lead support role on strategically important client and project pursuits, providing strategic input and market knowledge to expand service offerings and enhance win probabilities.
Contributes to strategic planning for Advisory and assists with thought leadership initiatives.
Mentors and oversees the work of junior Advisory staff through performance management and encouragement of professional development opportunities.
Represents Advisory and the firm at industry events and organizations, and drives thought leadership and external positioning efforts.
Performs other duties as assigned.