Start here. Grow here.At AECOM, we are seeking an experienced Project Director – Planning &amp; Front-End Development to join our Dublin office. This is a strategic leadership role focused on driving the successful planning, statutory approvals, and front-end development of major  infrastructure projects.Focus: Lead the planning and front-end development of major aviation infrastructure projects, including MRO facilities, Hangar Demolition, Cargo developments, CBP, HV Substation, and other strategic capital projects.Working within a multidisciplinary consultancy environment, you will provide leadership from project inception through planning, feasibility, stakeholder engagement, environmental assessment, and procurement readiness, ensuring projects are positioned for successful delivery.This role will play a key part in shaping a multi-year capital investment programme supporting the transformation of nationally significant airport infrastructure.We encourage applications from candidates with:<ul><li>15+ years' experience leading the planning and front-end development of major infrastructure or aviation projects.</li><li>Extensive experience managing planning applications and statutory approval processes for complex infrastructure developments.</li><li>Strong understanding of Irish planning legislation, environmental assessment, and consenting processes.</li><li>Experience coordinating multidisciplinary consultant teams across planning, engineering, environmental, and commercial disciplines.</li><li>Proven ability to engage with planning authorities, statutory bodies, airport stakeholders, and government agencies.</li><li>Strong leadership, commercial, programme management, and stakeholder engagement skills.</li></ul>Here's what you'll do:Planning &amp; Front-End Development<ul><li>Lead the planning and front-end development strategy for major capital projects including MRO facilities, Hangar Demolition, Cargo developments, CBP, HV Substation, and other emerging infrastructure projects.</li><li>Direct feasibility studies, option assessments, business case development, and project definition activities.</li><li>Manage planning applications from initial concept through submission, determination, and planning compliance.</li><li>Coordinate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Appropriate Assessment (AA), transport studies, utilities strategies, and supporting technical documentation.</li><li>Ensure projects meet statutory planning, environmental, regulatory, and airport operational requirements.</li><li>Identify planning risks, constraints, opportunities, and mitigation strategies during project development.</li></ul>Programme Leadership<ul><li>Develop and maintain front-end delivery programmes aligned with the wider capital investment strategy.</li><li>Oversee multidisciplinary consultant teams delivering planning, design development, environmental, and technical workstreams.</li><li>Establish governance processes, reporting frameworks, and project controls for the planning phase.</li><li>Manage project budgets, consultant appointments, procurement activities, and programme milestones through the development stage.</li><li>Ensure seamless transition from planning approval into detailed design and project delivery.</li></ul>Stakeholder Management<ul><li>Build and maintain strong relationships with airport stakeholders, planning authorities, statutory agencies, utilities providers, and regulatory bodies.</li><li>Lead stakeholder consultation and engagement activities throughout the planning process.</li><li>Present project proposals and progress updates to executive leadership, clients, and governance boards.</li><li>Coordinate internal and external approvals to support timely planning submissions and programme delivery.</li></ul>Project Governance &amp; Performance<ul><li>Establish project governance structures, risk management processes, and reporting mechanisms during project development.</li><li>Maintain project risk registers, action trackers, and decision logs.</li><li>Lead multidisciplinary planning review workshops and design coordination meetings.</li><li>Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, project controls, and front-end delivery methodologies.</li><li>Ensure projects are developed in accordance with quality, safety, sustainability, and governance standards while supporting successful transition into the delivery phase.</li></ul>

AECOM is the world&rsquo;s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle &ndash; from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Project Director – Planning & Front-End Development - Aviation

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