Vice President, Construction Management - Aviation
About The Position
AECOM Hunt is seeking a Vice President if Construction Management-Aviation to support airport construction in St Louis, MO. The Vice President, Construction Management - Aviation is the senior construction leader responsible for the full delivery of large, complex aviation projects (typically $1B+), often within active, secure airport environments. This executive provides strategic leadership across preconstruction, field execution, commercial management, safety, and client relationships, ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, on schedule, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. The role frequently leads joint venture teams and manages multiple project executives and field leaders across phased work packages. The role demands strategic vision, deep industry expertise, and the ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams in high-stakes, regulated environments. It emphasizes accountability for project delivery, safety, profitability, and client satisfaction, while also requiring strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management. This position is ideal for experienced construction leaders ready to take charge of high-profile aviation projects, ensuring successful outcomes and long-term client partnerships.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or related field plus EXTENSIVE years of construction experience including at least 5 years within the aviation industry, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
- At least 6 years of leadership experience
- Experience leading large ($500M-$1B+) complex projects
- In-depth knowledge of construction processes, techniques, safety regulations, complex MEP systems, structural steel, phased construction in operational environments, large-scale trade coordination, and public-sector contracting
- Ability to pass security screenings and background checks
- Willingness to travel as needed
Nice To Haves
- 20+ years of progressive construction leadership experience
- 10+ years managing large ($500M–$1B+) complex projects
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Experience leading projects $1B+
- Proven team builder; strategic and commercially driven; decisive under pressure; strong executive presence; highly skilled negotiator
Responsibilities
- Executive Project Leadership
- Serve as the senior CMR representative to the Owner (Airport Authority) and airline stakeholders
- Lead the overall construction strategy from preconstruction through closeout
- Establish execution plan for a live, operating airport
- Build and mentor high-performing project leadership teams
- Drive accountability across all workstreams
- Preconstruction & Commercial Strategy
- Lead GMP development and pricing strategy
- Oversee estimating, value engineering, and constructability reviews
- Develop packaging strategy for trade buyout
- Approve major subcontract awards
- Establish procurement plan for long-lead aviation systems (baggage handling, security, MEP systems)
- Manage contingency and risk allocation strategy
- Financial & Profitability Oversight
- Own P&L performance for the project
- Monitor cost-to-complete forecasting
- Control general conditions and staffing plans
- Lead change order strategy and negotiations
- Oversee claims avoidance and dispute resolution
- Ensure margin protection and cash flow management
- Field Operations & Execution:
- Oversee:
- Terminal and concourse construction
- Structural steel and complex building systems
- Airside coordination and phased turnover
- Utility relocations and enabling works
- Approve master schedule and recovery plans
- Ensure trade partner performance and productivity
- Drive lean construction practices and schedule compression where needed
- Safety Leadership
- Champion a zero-incident culture
- Enforce OSHA and airport safety standards
- Manage airside safety compliance and badging/security protocols
- Oversee subcontractor safety performance
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Maintain executive-level relationship with Airport Authority leadership and their program
- Coordinate with:
- Airlines
- FAA
- TSA
- Concessionaires and tenants
- Lead executive meetings and board-level reporting
- Protect company reputation and long-term client relationships
- Joint Venture
- Align partners on staffing, profit distribution, and risk
- Resolve inter-partner disputes
- Ensure Consistent reporting and controls across entities
- Key Metrics
- Project profitability
- On-time completion
- Safety performance
- Client satisfaction
Benefits
- AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
