Account Leader / Client Director (Airport Planning)

Company logo
Mott Macdonald
A global engineering, management, and development consultancy delivering innovative solutions.
Lead airport client relationships, win new work, and deliver major planning projects.
26 days ago ago
Expert & Leadership (13+ years), Experienced (8-12 years)
Full Time
Croydon, England, United Kingdom
Hybrid
Company Size
17,000 Employees
Service Specialisms
Engineering
Consulting
Project Management
Architecture
Design
Construction services
Infrastructure
Sustainability
Sector Specialisms
Engineering
Architecture
Bridges
Building services
Building structures
Dams and reservoirs
Geotechnics
Industrialized design and construction
Role
What you would be doing
client relationships
project delivery
bid management
account leadership
risk management
airport planning
  • Leverage an established industry network to build and maintain relationships with new and existing clients
  • Oversight of other discipline projects with your clients to maintain the relationship
  • Direct projects to achieve quality deliverables on time and on budget to maintain customer satisfaction without compromising target profit
  • Perform the role of Project Director/Principal, ultimately accountable for successful outcomes, coaching and mentoring Project Managers and Technical Leaders
  • Drive the bidding process to convert prospects into projects, be responsible for bid teams, producing high-quality proposals that are both technically and commercially sound
  • Represent Mott MacDonald with authenticity and integrity at industry conferences, networking events, and client meetings to enhance our profile
  • Addressing client’s issues and fulfilling their aspirations
  • Working effectively with the Aviation Market Director, Practice Leaders and Resource Managers to bring the right resources to deliver the project to the client’s satisfaction and meeting Mott MacDonald’s profit targets
  • Develop and maintain strong and robust client relationships with key directors at airport owners and operators
  • To deliver this role you will be required to travel regularly to domestic and international clients and be expected to work overseas on key projects as and when required
  • Proactively seek and pursue new business opportunities to grow the airport master planning and capacity portfolio
  • Accountable for our relationship with one or more significant airport clients in the role of Account Leader / Client Director
  • Capture planning and pre-positioning for upcoming opportunities and prospects with clients – identifying opportunities and turning them into prospects
  • Managing risk and commercial performance on projects
  • Direct major airport planning and development projects with your clients or others, when required to do so
  • As Project Director/Principal accountable for the successful completion of all projects under your oversight. Success means sound governance, commercial, financial, technical, health, safety and welfare, and realisation of client benefits agreed in the proposal phase
What you bring
business development
microsoft
degree
simulation modelling
airport planning
communication
  • A proven track record of success in business development and winning work with major airports
  • Proficient in Microsoft software
  • Fluency in English – knowledge of other languages will be valued as an advantage
  • Excellent communication skills including client and stakeholder negotiation
  • A degree in airport planning, air transport management, aeronautical engineering, civil engineering. Candidates with other relevant qualifications may be considered
  • Chartership is not essential to apply for this role but is expected of a candidate who has qualifications aligned with a professional institution
  • Knowledge of simulation modelling tools and the ability to manage others to use them to deliver capacity and demand analysis outputs
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which allow you to confidently liaise with clients and lead cross-functional teams
  • Extensive experience in airport planning and capacity, including work on large scale airport development programmes
  • Proactive and self-motivated, with a learning mindset
  • Excellent networking skills, able to build and maintain client relationships
  • Strong business development skills, with experience in generating and winning work
  • Strong project director skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
Benefits
  • A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
  • A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
  • Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
  • Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
  • Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.
  • We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
  • Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
  • Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
  • Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
  • Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
  • Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
  • Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
  • A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.
  • Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
  • Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
  • Primary annual professional institution subscription.
  • As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
  • Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Company
Overview
1989 Founded
Company Establishment
The company was established in 1989, marking the beginning of its journey in global engineering and consulting.
150+ Countries
Global Presence
The company operates in over 150 countries, showcasing its extensive reach and international influence.
  • Delivering complex projects that require both technical expertise and strategic vision.
  • Design of major infrastructure and transport systems.
  • Specializing in sustainable solutions to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
  • History built on innovation and forward-thinking engineering, consistently delivering impactful results.
Culture + Values
  • We are one global team.
  • We strive to make a positive difference.
  • We value people and their contributions.
  • We act with integrity and respect.
  • We are committed to innovation and excellence.
  • We take responsibility for our actions.
Environment + Sustainability
2050
Net Zero by 2050
Aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions globally.
30%
Carbon Emissions Reduction
Targets a 30% reduction in operational carbon emissions globally.
  • Committed to reducing carbon emissions globally.
  • Aims to embed sustainability throughout its operations.
  • Committed to contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Inclusion & Diversity
50:50 by 2025
Gender Balance Target
Strives to achieve equal representation of men and women across all levels of the organization by 2025.
  • Focuses on increasing the number of women in leadership roles.
  • Tracks and publishes gender diversity data for its global workforce.
Big Kablio Logo
Kablio AIIf you're someone who helps build and power the world (or dreams to), Kablio AI is your pocket-sized recruiter that gets you hired.
Copyright © 2025 Kablio