Technical Director (Landside Airport Planner)

Join to apply for the Technical Director (Landside Airport Planner) role at Mott MacDonald.

Location: Croydon, London, Birmingham, Cambridge or Southampton.

Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess.

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We deliver innovative solutions in transport, infrastructure, and related sectors worldwide.

Overview of the Role

Our specialist aviation team, based in London, delivers major airport planning and development projects globally. We are looking for a Technical Director with expertise in Landside Airport Planning. The successful candidate will be recognised industry‑level technical expert and will be part of a globally respected and diverse team of planners and engineers.

Technical Excellence

• Lead landside planning workstreams on major airport development programmes for owners and operators.
• Be recognised by clients and the aviation industry as a world‑class landside planning specialist.
• Train others in the field, nurturing junior members and supporting their development.
• Develop planning expertise across all airport landside facilities—including surface transport, airport cities, cargo, logistics, ancillary and support facilities, and adjacent land uses.
• Optimise landside planning for land‑use and operational efficiency.
• Understand surface access numerical capacity analysis and simulation modelling; collaborate closely with transport planners and modellers.

Business Development

• Seek and pursue new business opportunities to grow airport landside planning services.
• Build and maintain robust relationships with new and existing airport operator clients, influencing key directors.
• Plan and position upcoming opportunities, converting them into projects and producing high‑quality proposals that are technically and commercially sound.
• Act as Account Leader / Client Manager when required.

Project Delivery

• Provide technical leadership of landside planning workstreams for major airport masterplans and development projects.
• Communicate effectively with client organisations and stakeholders to instil confidence.
• Perform role of Project Director / Principal, accountable for successful project outcomes, coaching and mentoring Project Managers.
• Ensure successful completion of all projects under oversight.
• Achieve outcomes through sound governance, commercial, technical, safety and welfare, and client benefit realisation.
• Direct projects to deliver quality outputs on budget and on time.

Candidate Specification

We are looking for a flexible and motivated professional with experience and a genuine passion for the aviation industry.

Essential

• Extensive experience in airport landside planning, including large‑scale development programmes.
• Experience covering landside transport facilities, airport operations, land‑use planning, cargo, logistics, airport cities, and support facilities.
• Fluent in spatial planning, able to understand complex geometry and teach junior staff optimisation techniques.
• Proficient with spatial planning tools (Autodesk, GIS, BIM, etc.) and able to coach junior resources.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Degree in air transport management, airport planning, architecture, urban planning, transport planning or civil engineering (other relevant qualifications considered).
• Fluency in English; other languages valued.
• Required to travel regularly to domestic and international clients.
• Willingness to work overseas on major aviation programmes valued.
• Proficient in Microsoft software.

We Are Looking For Candidates With The Following Characteristics

• Proactive and self‑motivated with a learning mindset.
• Naturally curious, willing to adopt new techniques and software, striving for continuous improvement.
• Strong relationship building, winning new work and becoming preferred consultant.
• Strong project leadership skills, managing multiple priorities dynamically.
• Team player who nurtures and uplifts colleagues, fostering collaboration.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, confident liaison across teams.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. is not currently offering sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. We welcome applications from candidates eligible for alternative routes that do not require sponsorship.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, promoting fair employment procedures and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression and commit to an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support, contact reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will discuss how we can help.

Agile working

We are happy to talk openly about flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We Offer Some Fantastic Benefits Including

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• Variety of wellbeing support available through our comprehensive program, including for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a range of health benefits, extendable to your family.

Financial wellbeing

• Match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4× your basic salary, optional increase to 6×.
• Income protection scheme providing financial benefit and support.
• Flexible benefits: increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and wills writing.
• Share financial success with annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

• Minimum of 33‑35 days holiday each year (incl. public holidays), with ability to buy or sell leave.
• Holiday entitlement increases to minimum 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave; 2 weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Shared parental leave matching maternity leave (up to 24 weeks at full pay).
• Up to five additional days leave for those with significant caring responsibilities.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• Broad range of opportunities to enhance technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including Advanced Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through social outcomes.

Apply now. For more information about our application process, contact us.

Contract Type:

Permanent

Work Pattern:

Full Time

Market:

Transport

Discipline:

Aviation

Job Ref:

12036

Recruiter Contact:

Ainsley Anstess

Seniority level

Director

Job function

Civil Engineering