Director, Technical (Relocation to US Virgin Islands!)

Aecon•Middletown Township, PA

20d•Onsite

About The Position

Aecon is seeking a dynamic Technical Director to oversee and execute the redevelopment and transition into operations of the Cyril E. King and Henry E. Rohlsen Airports in the U.S Virgin Islands, a dynamic Public-Private Partnership project. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Technical Director will lead all technical aspects of the project lifecycle—from development and design through construction and operational readiness—ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory requirements. This role will be instrumental in shaping the long-term success of the airports and the organization’s reputation in the aviation infrastructure sector. This is an outstanding opportunity to be exposed to broad and deep airport expertise (commercial aspects with airlines and other stakeholders, agency interfaces with CBP & TSA, liaison and co-ordination with authorities having jurisdiction, existing condition assessment, design & construction, operations and maintenance, regulatory aspects, environmental permitting, human relations, community engagement, insurance, financing, etc.). The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership skills, a strong ability to multitask, and a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget. Airport experience is required, preferably of technical nature. As a Technical Director, you will be responsible for guiding project teams, interfacing with and managing main contractors, managing resources, and ensuring that project goals align with organizational objectives. This role requires excellent communication, problem-solving, organizational skills and strong commercial and contractual acumen. It is expected the first six to nine months will be focused on structuring, negotiating and establishing a number of contracts and processes related to the technical development, design, and construction aspects of the project during the development phase. The following phase, which is expected to last approx. 4 years, will be focused on executing the technical design and construction elements in an active construction and operating environment of the airports, and reporting directly to the leadership of the development company.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Project Management, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
15+ years of proven experience as a Project Manager for airport and civil infrastructure projects, with a successful track record of managing projects from initiation to completion.
Experience working on airport projects is required.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in project management tools and software.
Willingness for permanent move to the USVI during Project execution.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Project Management (PMP) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key member of the executive team, contributing to strategic decision-making and corporate planning.
Lead cross-functional coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, and commercial partners.
Ensure integration of technical development with financial, legal, and operational frameworks.
Develop comprehensive project plans, including schedules, budgets, and resource allocations, in accordance with project requirements, including client standards.
Lead technical project teams by assigning tasks, providing guidance, and fostering collaboration.
Lead the development of project governance structures, risk management frameworks, and performance monitoring systems.
Identify potential risks (schedule, budget, technical) and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful project delivery. Support and coordinate with leadership team on updates and reporting to management and investment committee.
Communicate effectively with stakeholders to gather requirements, provide updates, respond to inquiries, address concerns, and use feedback to adapt the project scope to meet or exceed stakeholder expectations.
Design, produce and present reports to various stakeholders.
Monitor project budgets and expenses to ensure projects are completed within financial constraints. Provide regular updates to progress vs. budget, including variance, risk, and opportunity analysis.
Establish project wide quality standards and ensure that project deliverables meet or exceed expectations. Work with the design build contractor and external QA/QC teams to implement quality program.
Track project schedules and milestones, including critical path management. Work with stakeholders in adjusting plans as necessary to meet deadlines.
Maintain accurate project documentation, including progress reports, meeting minutes, and change requests.
Administers consultant contracts for project design development work, owners engineer and Operational Readiness and Transition support as well as participating in the selection process.
Coordinates with stakeholders in the administration of contracts with a number of partners, clients, subcontracts and suppliers, such as the concession contract with public authority, commercial contracts with airlines and non-aeronautical parties, operation & maintenance contract with partners, construction contracts with subcontractors.
Act as the point of contact and liaison with airlines, agencies such as USCBP, TSA, our client and other authorities having jurisdiction.
Design and Construction oversight and co-ordination: oversight of design development leading into construction delivery, ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, operational and other agreed-upon requirements.
Management and oversight of the construction contractor testing and commissioning activities to ensure compliance with all contract and Program of Requirements obligations including ensuring compilation of all as built and associated documentation by the construction contractor.
Development and implementation of appropriate defect, deficiency and warranty management processes, procedures and protocols.
Manage and oversee the operational, readiness and transition (ORAT) process for both airports, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition of operations from the legacy facilities into the new facilities.
Address conflicts and issues that arise during project execution, striving to find mutually beneficial resolutions.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices to enhance project management efficiency.
Lead stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure community alignment and regulatory compliance.