Senior Project Manager - Aviation

About the Role

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) acts as the Contracting Entity’s senior representative, providing strategic leadership and governance for complex, high‑value infrastructure projects in a live aviation environment. The role ensures delivery is safe, on schedule, within budget and to specification while meeting governance frameworks and stakeholder requirements. The SPM establishes and maintains robust governance structures, ensuring adherence to corporate policies, regulatory standards and contract forms such as NEC. They present at governance boards and change‑control meetings, reporting on KPIs, financial performance and risk mitigation, and manage compensation events and change processes. Responsible for overseeing multiple concurrent projects, the SPM leads the development and implementation of Project Execution Plans that embed innovative and sustainable approaches, including embodied carbon reduction. They drive operational readiness and handover (ORAT), apply phased construction methodologies to minimise disruption, and support PMO programming to provide clarity for stakeholder and contractor delivery. A comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan is created and executed, covering terminals, airfield operations, security, ground handling, fuel suppliers and regulatory bodies. The SPM facilitates collaboration with integrated delivery teams, design consultants and contractors, and represents the programme at executive‑level meetings, communicating progress, risks and strategic decisions. The role includes building and mentoring a high‑performing team of Senior Project Managers and Project Managers, providing technical, contractual and performance guidance, and developing resourcing strategies to optimise delivery efficiency. Commercially, the SPM works under NEC contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual duties, negotiating with suppliers and contractors to optimise outcomes, and managing procurement within e‑tender thresholds. Scope of works and specifications are drafted and controlled, contract administration and change control are overseen, and accurate documentation is maintained through established systems. • Lead strategic delivery of complex, high‑value aviation infrastructure projects within live environments. • Establish and maintain robust governance structures, ensuring compliance with corporate policies, NEC and other contract forms. • Present project updates at governance boards and change‑control meetings, reporting KPIs, financials and risk mitigation. • Develop and execute Project Execution Plans incorporating sustainable practices such as embodied carbon reduction. • Drive operational readiness (ORAT) and seamless handover to live operations using phased construction to minimise disruption. • Create and implement stakeholder engagement plans across terminals, airfield, security, ground handling, fuel suppliers and regulators. • Represent the programme at executive meetings, communicating progress, risks and strategic decisions. • Build, mentor and lead a high‑performing team of Senior Project Managers and Project Managers. • Negotiate with suppliers and contractors to optimise commercial outcomes and manage procurement within e‑tender thresholds. • Draft and control scope of works, manage contract administration and change control under NEC, FIDIC and bespoke contracts. • Oversee cost control, financial analysis and ensure schedule integrity throughout the capital programme.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸governance
• ▸kpis reporting
• ▸execution planning
• ▸orat
• ▸stakeholder engagement
• ▸cost control

What You Bring

Candidates must have at least 15 years of construction/infrastructure delivery experience, with significant exposure to aviation and live operational environments, and a proven track record leading €50‑100 M+ capital programmes. Required competencies include stakeholder engagement, integrated project delivery, governance, ORAT, financial analysis, phasing, performance management and executive communication. Proficiency with Primavera P6, MS Project, ACC, Unifier, CEMAR and Microsoft Office is expected, together with a relevant degree, professional membership (e.g., MCIOB, MIEI, MAPM, MRICS) and certifications such as PRINCE2, SMSTS and CSCS/Safe Pass. The position offers a full‑time permanent contract, competitive remuneration, pension, generous leave, career development opportunities, and a diverse, inclusive work environment that promotes work‑life balance. • Minimum 15 years construction/infrastructure delivery experience, including aviation and live operational environments. • Proven ability to lead €50‑100 M+ capital programmes and engage stakeholders at executive level. • Expertise in integrated project delivery, governance, ORAT, phased construction and sustainability initiatives. • Proficiency with Primavera P6, MS Project, ACC, Unifier, CEMAR and Microsoft Office suite. • Degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering or related field; professional membership (MCIOB, MIEI, MAPM, MRICS) and certifications (PRINCE2, SMSTS, CSCS/Safe Pass).

Requirements

• ▸15 years
• ▸aviation
• ▸primavera
• ▸ms project
• ▸prince2
• ▸mciob

Benefits

• Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits package. • Pension scheme, generous annual leave plus company and volunteering days. • Opportunities to work on innovative global projects and develop career in Ireland and abroad. • Inclusive, diverse culture supporting work‑life balance and flexible working.

Work Environment

Hybrid