Director – Aviation Program Manager

Turner & Townsend • Wide Ruins, AZ

1d • $230,000 - $250,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend are currently seeking an experienced Director – Aviation Program Manager to support the growth and delivery of our aviation portfolio across the Northeast, with a primary focus on the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
This role blends business development, strategic client advisory, and integrated program delivery leadership, leveraging the full Turner & Townsend platform to support major aviation capital programs from planning through execution and operations. The candidate will play a key role in strengthening client relationships, winning new work, and ensuring successful delivery of complex infrastructure programs in live operating environments.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in program management, PMO leadership, or program controls for major capital programs.
• Proven experience in aviation, transportation, or large infrastructure delivery.
• Strong expertise in governance, program controls, reporting, and risk/change management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present to executive audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with airport authorities, FAA programs, or federal capital delivery.
• Background in design‑build, CMAR, progressive design‑build, or multi‑prime delivery environments.
• Familiarity with enterprise PMO systems, cost management platforms, and scheduling tools.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, CCP, PSP, or equivalent.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License in NY/NJ or able to get reciprocity within 60 days of employment.
• Reside in the NY Metro area.
• Per client requirements, only US citizens may be considered for this opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and client engagement activities across the Northeast aviation market
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with airport authorities, airlines, and key stakeholders, particularly within PANYNJ
• Drive growth at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and across the broader regional aviation portfolio
• Lead and support pursuits, including capture planning, win strategies, teaming, proposals, and interviews
• Identify opportunities to expand Turner & Townsend’s service offerings across program/construction/asset management, and advisory services
• Represent the firm in client meetings, industry events, and aviation forums
• Maintain a strong understanding of client priorities, capital programs, procurement pipelines, and funding strategies
• Provide senior leadership across the full lifecycle of aviation infrastructure programs, integrating program and cost management, construction management, asset management advisory, and capital planning expertise
• Lead the successful delivery of complex airport programs, including terminals, airside/landside infrastructure, utilities, and enabling works from strategic planning through execution and operational readiness
• Implement best-in-class program management and controls frameworks across scope, schedule, cost, risk, governance, and performance management
• Oversee program controls and digital delivery, enabling data-driven decision-making and transparent reporting at the executive level
• Integrate construction delivery capabilities to support constructability, phasing, sequencing, and execution within live airport environments
• Align capital program strategies with driven asset lifecycle planning, ensuring investments deliver long-term operational performance and value
• Support portfolio optimization aligning development, commercial, and investment considerations
• Advise on and implement appropriate delivery models (Design-Bid-Build, CMAR, Design-Build, P3), aligned with client objectives and risk strategies
• Ensure seamless integration of capital programs within active airport operations, including stakeholder coordination, operational continuity, and readiness planning
• Champion innovation across digital delivery, sustainability, resilience, and asset performance
• Provide oversight for safety, quality, compliance, and risk management, and serve as a senior escalation point for complex delivery challenges
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing, multidisciplinary aviation team
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and professional development aligned with growth objectives
• Contribute to business planning, revenue forecasting, and aviation market strategy
• Collaborate with U.S. and global leadership to drive consistency, innovation, and best practices across the aviation portfolio
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with Turner & Townsend values
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

• A great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• Support for succeeding both in work and life.
• Promotion of a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed