Associate Director - Airport Civil Engineer

Job Description

Overview

Shape the Future of our cities and environments.

Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting airport projects? How about joining our talented Airport Engineering Team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' challenges head-on. It's a diverse and inclusive work environment where world-class talent knows no distinctions.

AtkinsRéalis are seeking an experienced Associate Director for Airport Civil Engineering to be a key senior leader in the business, responsible not only for technical excellence but also for strategic direction, client relationships, and team leadership within the Airport team. You will lead the delivery of complex airfield infrastructure projects across major UK airports - including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester - as well as an expanding portfolio of international commissions. This opportunity suits a senior professional with a strong industry profile, proven leadership capability, and the ambition to shape the growth of a leading aviation consultancy.

Based within our established team in London, or Epsom, or our growing presence in Manchester, our Airport team is founded on deep technical expertise, operational understanding, and a collaborative, solutions-focused culture. We are well established across all major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, and continue to expand our international portfolio across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

As an Associate Director, you will play a key role in setting direction for airfield civil engineering capability, leading major commissions, strengthening client relationships, and supporting the long-term development of people, tools, and services within the practice.

Your Role

At Associate Director level, you will have accountability for technical excellence, client leadership, and commercial performance, alongside line management and mentorship responsibilities.

• Providing strategic leadership on complex UK and international airport civil engineering projects, acting as Project Director or Technical Lead as appropriate.

• Acting as a trusted advisor to airport operators, regulators, and stakeholders, building long-term client relationships and repeat business.

• Leading the development and delivery of airfield infrastructure projects, including pavement designs, materials specifications, maintenance plans, and condition assessments, translating complex technical data into practical, deliverable engineering solutions.

• Overseeing demand forecasting, capacity assessment, and data-driven decision-making, ensuring robust, defendable outputs.

• Taking overall responsibility for the quality, consistency, and timely delivery of technical reports, presentations, and client-facing outputs.

• Chairing and leading senior design reviews, client workshops, and stakeholder meetings.

• Playing a central role in work winning and business development, including shaping opportunity pipelines, leading bids and tenders, and supporting market strategy.

• Contributing to the growth and direction of the airfield civil engineering discipline, including development of tools, guidance, training material, and innovation initiatives.

• Providing line management, mentorship, and career development support to senior and junior team members, building a strong succession pipeline.

• Actively engaging with and contributing to the global aviation and infrastructure network, sharing knowledge and best practice across regions.

About you

• A degree in Civil engineering (or equivalent)

• Chartered status with relevant professional institution such as ICE.

• Extensive professional experience in Airport or Highways pavement design, with strong understanding of material specifications and maintenance with an appreciation of principles and application of UK and international pavement design methods.

• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, and multi-disciplinary design teams on airfield infrastructure design projects from concept through to detailed design, delivering high-quality outputs on time and within budget.

• Proven ability to operate effectively at senior client and stakeholder level, influencing decision-making and managing risk.

• Solid understanding of commercial, contractual, and financial aspects of consultancy project delivery.

• A clear track record of successful business development, including leading bids, winning work, and growing client accounts.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced consultancy environment with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.

• Willingness to travel periodically for short-term project assignments.

This is a unique opportunity to establish yourself as a discipline leader within a growing aviation business, where your influence will extend beyond project delivery into shaping future strategy, capability, and client partnerships.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

#DAT

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.