Aviation Project Director

Apply for the Aviation Project Director role at Atkins

Réalis.

We are seeking an Aviation Project Director to join our team in New York, NY. The successful candidate will oversee multifaceted airport projects from initiation to closeout, managing project life cycles, budgets, staff, and serving as the primary client and stakeholder contact. The role requires strong leadership to guide teams, ensure compliance with regulations and quality standards, develop strategy and secure new business opportunities.

• Lead a multi‑discipline team through the Design, Procurement, and Construction phases of aviation programs.
• Create and maintain a leadership attitude toward the project team to achieve quality programs while respecting established budget and schedule objectives.
• Plan, monitor, appraise, review, and deliver aviation programs in accordance with the organization’s goals.
• Oversee scheduling and cost controllers, working with SMEs, estimators, and procurement to present accurate project budgets.
• Prepare Program Initiation and Program Management Plans, execute plan requirements, analyze variances, and initiate corrective actions to meet client objectives.
• Achieve efficiencies by accepting responsibility and accountability for results, exploring opportunities to add value.
• Lead, mentor, and manage multidisciplinary teams, overseeing staffing and workload to meet project deadlines.
• Develop and execute a program evaluation framework to assess strengths and identify improvement areas.
• Interface with executive sponsors, business leaders, and stakeholders to capture all requirements.
• Prepare and complete action plans; implement and report on productivity, quality, and customer‑service standards; identify and mitigate project risks, resolve problems to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Lead business development and client account management: build and maintain client relationships within the aviation marketplace; track potential client project needs and capital planning; identify new business opportunities, participate in marketing activities, and write proposals to secure future projects.
• Meet clients and develop relationships through coordinated marketing visits; attend events and conferences; provide and organize client presentations and lessons learned activities.
• Coordinate with internal resources and other business lines to promote market sector growth; engage with local marketplace and MWDBE partners; develop business plans for services, including digital transformation of aviation clients.
• Serve as capture manager on specific project proposals; engage technical resources to create innovative client responses; coordinate with legal, project controls, and operational staff for proper vetting of opportunities; collaborate with marketing and project managers for proposal responses; lead interview and presentation preparations for project opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field.
• At least 10 years of aviation experience.
• Must have a Professional Engineer (PE) license or be able to obtain one within six months of recruitment.
• Experience successfully managing large‑scale, complex aviation and civil projects.
• Experience with both design and construction.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering projects in live operational environments.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, including risk management, and proficiency with project management software.

Expected compensation range: $127,000 – $212,000 annually, depending on skills, experience, and location.

Atkins

Réalis offers medical, dental, vision, company‑paid life and disability benefits, employer‑matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits.

• Director

• Full‑time

• Management and Manufacturing

Atkins

Réalis is an equal‑opportunity, Drug‑Free employer. EOE/Veteran/Disability. Please review Atkins

Réalis' Equal Opportunity Statement.