Senior Project Manager - Aviation

Job description

the employer Middle East is currently recruiting for a Project Manager - Aviation to join our team in Saudi Arabia. The Project Manager has full responsibility for the successful implementation of a major aviation program within Saudi Arabia, with a strong focus on modernizing the airport design and enhancing infrastructure. This senior leadership role provides strategic direction to multi-disciplinary teams, ensures strict alignment with client and contractual expectations, and represents the employer at the highest levels with authorities, stakeholders and executive decision makers. The position holds responsibility for the full scope of project performance, including schedule management, technical delivery, quality assurance, risk mitigation, and commercial governance. Strategic Leadership and Governance • Provide strategic direction and leadership to all project teams working on-site and across remote support functions. • Establish and maintain a strong governance framework that ensures clarity of roles, responsibilities, reporting sequences and escalation protocols. • Drive a culture of excellence in delivery, safety, compliance and continuous improvement. Customer and Stakeholder Management • Act as the primary point of contact for the customer, ensuring transparent communication, alignment on goals, and proactive problem resolution. • Build and maintain strong relationships with senior customer representatives, aviation authorities, regulatory bodies and key external stakeholders. • Represent the employer on high-level steering committees, progress reviews, and business discussions. Project Delivery and Implementation • Lead the end-to-end delivery of the aviation project from inception to handover, ensuring compliance with requirements Contractual, technical and legal. • Oversee the planning, design, construction and commissioning phases, ensuring deliverables meet required standards. • Monitor schedule performance, identify critical paths and implement recovery plans when needed. Quality Assurance and Technical Oversight • Ensure adherence to the employer quality frameworks, aviation standards, and global best practices. • Drive technical excellence in all engineering, design and operational workflows. • Review and validate key technical submissions, design packages, and project deliverables. Risk, Safety and Compliance • Create and manage a robust risk management strategy, covering technical, commercial, operational and external risks. • Support a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with HSE regulations and the employer safety principles. • Implement proactive measures to mitigate project risks and ensure long-term program stability. Commercial, Financial and Contract Management • Provide oversight of all commercial activities including contract r performance, change management, claims avoidance and budgetary control. • Ensure financial soundness through accurate forecasting, cost control and business reporting. • Lead commercial negotiations where required, protecting the employer's contractual and financial position. Team Leadership and People Management • Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary project team. • Ensure optimal resource planning, performance management, and succession planning. • Enhance collaboration across the employer teams in Saudi Arabia, UAE and global support offices

Requirements

• Strong background in PMC/consulting environments with familiarity with contract administration (FIDIC or similar)
• Technical and leadership competencies
• Deep understanding of aviation standards, airport systems, air/side operations, and regulatory frameworks
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing large budgets and complex contracts
• Ability to lead diverse teams across multiple geographies and disciplines

Skills