Project Executive - Aviation

Project Executive - Aviation

AECOM Hunt is seeking a Aviation Project Executive to support our airport construction project for the Elevate CVG program at the Cincinnati, OH airport.

Position Overview

The Aviation Project Executive will provide executive leadership for this 300MM complex airport construction project delivered under a CM/GC model. This role will provide construction leadership and oversight for the project ensuring seamless collaboration with the Airport Authority, design team, and key stakeholders through completion.

This role is responsible for overall financial performance, risk management, operational coordination within an active airport environment, and maintaining alignment between design intent, constructability, cost certainty, and schedule performance.

The successful candidate will have direct experience in construction aviation, key stakeholder engagement and the ability to lead a multi-phased CMAR program.

Core Responsibilities

CM/GC Leadership & Delivery Strategy

• Lead project strategy through construction execution.
• Oversee collaboration between the CM/GC team, owner, and designer.
• Ensure constructability reviews, value engineering, and risk assessments are integrated early.
• Provide executive oversight during negotiation and establishment of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).

Preconstruction Oversight

• Direct estimating, scheduling, logistics planning, and constructability reviews.
• Ensure real-time cost modeling and alignment with owner budget targets.
• Oversee risk register development and contingency planning.
• Lead subcontractor engagement strategy and bid packaging.
• Participate in design coordination meetings with architect and engineer of record.

Construction Phase Leadership

• Maintain oversight of field operations in a live airport environment.
• Ensure compliance with airport phasing, safety restrictions, and operational continuity requirements.
• Oversee airside/landside coordination, security access controls, and badging compliance.
• Lead review of change orders, claims, and scope modifications.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as liaison to the Airport Authority
• Present cost updates, risk analyses, and schedule performance to executive steering committees.
• Support public board meetings and community engagement forums.

Financial & Commercial Oversight

• Maintain full P&L responsibility for the project.
• Oversee GMP development, buyout strategy, subcontractor negotiations, and procurement.
• Manage contingency usage and forecast accuracy.
• Lead resolution of claims and disputes.
• Ensure transparency in open-book CM/GC financial reporting.

Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify risks associated with phased construction in active aviation environments.
• Engage with Risk Management as needed.

Safety & Quality Leadership

• Champion zero-incident safety culture.
• Ensure adherence to aviation-specific safety standards, including airfield and secure area protocols.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or related field plus at least 12 years of construction management experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
• At least 4 years of leadership experience.
• Valid US Driver's License and the ability to pass a motor vehicle background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading large ($500M-$1B+) complex projects
• In-depth knowledge of construction processes, techniques, safety regulations, complex MEP systems, structural steel, phased construction in operational environments, large-scale trade coordination, and public-sector contracting
• Ability to travel.
• Prior experience engaging with AHJ's, public authorities and/or municipal representatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Aviation construction

Additiona…