Technical Director – Aviation

Help shape the future of aviation in Western Australia, working across major airports, resource-sector aerodromes, and regional and remote airstrips.

Join a locally based and nationally connected team delivering practical aviation solutions from planning and design through to construction support and asset management.

About the role:

We are seeking an accomplished Technical Director – Aviation to join our Perth Aviation and Pavements team, and help build the next phase of GHD’s aviation practice in Western Australia.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a recognised aviation professional to help shape the continued growth of GHD's Aviation business in Western Australia, while contributing to our broader national aviation capability, and remaining actively involved in clients, projects and technical delivery. GHD’s aviation work spans major airports, resource-sector aerodromes, and regional and remote airstrips, with a long history of successful delivery of airport planning, airfield geometry, pavements, lighting and other multidisciplinary airport infrastructure. 

Alongside leading the team and building its technical capability, you will help develop a sustainable portfolio of projects and client relationships for the wider team. You will also work closely with aviation specialists across GHD to support local and national projects, pursuits and capability development.

Your role will include the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical, project and delivery leadership for aviation work across Western Australia, with a focus on safe, practical and constructable outcomes.
• Lead and develop the Perth aviation team, mentor emerging professionals and strengthen collaboration with GHD’s national aviation practice.
• Build trusted relationships and develop opportunities across major airports, regional and remote aerodromes, and the resources sector.
• Lead the development of an integrated client approach for Perth Airport and other priority aviation clients, bringing together relevant capability from across GHD.
• Remain actively involved in priority pursuits and projects, including technical direction, project governance and client engagement.
• Champion safety in design and the safe delivery of work in operational airport and airside environments. 
• Develop and strengthen relationships with key aviation clients, industry partners and stakeholders across Western Australia and the broader GHD business.
• Identify and pursue aviation opportunities that align with GHD’s capability, client needs and the sustainable growth of the Western Australian practice.
• Build GHD's profile and reputation within the aviation sector through strong client engagement and industry relationships.
• Collaborate with aviation specialists and multidisciplinary teams across GHD's broader business to deliver integrated solutions for clients.
• Champion technical excellence and continuous improvement across the Aviation team.
• Create opportunities for others, share knowledge and support collaboration across teams, disciplines and locations. 

Working with a regionally and nationally connected team, you will also:

• Develop and strengthen relationships with key aviation clients, industry partners and stakeholders across Western Australia and the broader GHD business.
• Identify and pursue aviation opportunities that align with GHD’s capability, client needs and the sustainable growth of the Western Australian practice.
• Build GHD's profile and reputation within the aviation sector through strong client engagement and industry relationships.
• Collaborate with aviation specialists and multidisciplinary teams across GHD's broader business to deliver integrated solutions for clients.
• Champion technical excellence and continuous improvement across the Aviation team.
• Create opportunities for others, share knowledge and support collaboration across teams, disciplines and locations. 

What you will bring to the team:

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, supported by substantial experience in airport or aerodrome infrastructure. Chartered engineer or working towards it. 
• 15+ years engineering experience, with significant experience in the aviation sector.
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in airport planning, airfield engineering, pavements and/or multidisciplinary aviation infrastructure, with the ability to lead work involving interfaces between technical disciplines and airport operations..
• Demonstrated experience leading aviation projects and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong knowledge of relevant aviation standards and regulatory requirements, including the CASA Manual of Standards Part 139 and relevant ICAO requirements where applicable. 
• Experience working in operational airport environments, eligibility to obtain an Aviation Security Identification Card, and willingness to travel to regional and remote locations. Some project activities may require work outside standard hours to suit airport operations. 
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders and identify opportunities for future work.
• Strong commercial and project management capability, with an understanding of project budgets, programmes, resources and risk.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with a genuine interest in mentoring, coaching and developing others.
• A collaborative and inclusive working style, with the communication and relationship-building skills needed to work effectively across disciplines, offices and levels of experience.
• A practical leadership style and willingness to remain closely involved in technical delivery, client problem-solving and project decision-making.
• A team-oriented approach, with a willingness to share relationships, opportunities and knowledge across the local and national aviation practice.

Why GHD?

• Lead and grow a capable team of Perth aviation professionals with scope to build technical capability, mentor emerging engineers and shape the team growth. 
• Lead GHD’s growth and build on its strong history of delivering within WA’s resources sector. 
• Be part of a connected and capable national and Australia-Pacific region of aviation professionals with multidisciplinary expertise to deliver integrated solutions for clients. 
• As an employee-owned business, our people share in the success they help create. 
• Flexible work practices, wellbeing support and a collaborative culture. 

Interested? Apply now.

GHD is an equal opportunity employer, and we want everyone to be able to fully participate in our recruitment process. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all identities.

GHD embraces a range of flexible work practices to create a work environment focused on well-being, flexibility and productivity where our people can thrive.

We respectfully ask that no agency resumes be presented at this stage.

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