Program Construction Director - Aviation Infrastructure

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description

Parsons is looking for a talented Construction Delivery Director to join our Abu Dhabi team! In This role you will lead and oversee the execution of all construction activities across the airport terminal, airfield, and supporting infrastructure works within the Airport Infrastructure Program. This role is responsible for ensuring that all construction activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with the project’s budget, schedule, and quality objectives. The Construction Delivery Director will work closely with project management, design, engineering, commissioning, and operations readiness teams to deliver world-class infrastructure that meets stringent aviation and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience managing large-scale, multidisciplinary construction programs and possess strong leadership skills to coordinate multiple contractors, consultants, and stakeholders toward the successful completion of the project.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Construction Management & Execution
• Lead the overall construction delivery across terminal buildings, airfield pavements, utilities, and related infrastructure.
• Develop and implement construction execution strategies, ensuring alignment with project goals and master schedule.
• Manage multiple construction contractors and packages, ensuring delivery in accordance with technical specifications and quality standards.
• Supervise daily site operations, ensuring adherence to planned activities and proactive issue resolution.
• Schedule & Progress Control
• Monitor and control project schedules to ensure milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
• Review contractors’ detailed work programs and progress reports to validate accuracy and realism.
• Coordinate with project controls teams to track KPIs, progress metrics, and forecast completion dates.
• Identify potential schedule risks early and implement mitigation strategies to prevent delays.
• Quality Assurance & Technical Compliance
• Ensure all construction works comply with approved designs, specifications, and applicable standards.
• Oversee inspection and testing processes to verify quality and workmanship.
• Review and approve construction methodologies, work plans, and material submissions.
• Collaborate with quality management teams to ensure non-conformances are promptly addressed and corrective actions implemented.
• Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Management
• Champion a culture of safety and enforce compliance with HSE policies across all construction sites.
• Monitor contractors’ safety performance, incident reports, and corrective actions.
• Participate in safety audits and inspections to ensure consistent adherence to project safety protocols.
• Promote proactive risk identification and hazard mitigation throughout all construction phases.
• Interface & Stakeholder Coordination
• Lead and facilitate interface management workshops to coordinate between various work packages and contractors.
• Collaborate closely with design, commissioning, and ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) teams to ensure smooth handover transitions.
• Manage communication and coordination between internal teams, PMCM representatives, and key external stakeholders.
• Ensure construction interfaces are clearly defined, managed, and documented to prevent conflicts or rework.
• Risk Management & Issue Resolution
• Identify, assess, and manage construction risks impacting schedule, cost, or quality.
• Lead technical and operational issue resolution in collaboration with design and engineering teams.
• Maintain proactive risk registers and ensure mitigation measures are implemented effectively.
• Escalate critical risks or design conflicts promptly to senior leadership for decision-making.
• Value Engineering & Continuous Improvement
• Promote and implement value engineering initiatives to optimize cost and constructability.
• Evaluate alternative materials, methods, and sequencing to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
• Encourage innovation and adoption of modern construction technologies to improve productivity and quality.
• Commissioning & Handover Readiness
• Ensure that all construction deliverables are completed and documented prior to handover.
• Coordinate with commissioning teams to ensure systems are tested, validated, and operationally ready.
• Oversee final inspections and ensure all punch list items are addressed before project closeout.
• Facilitate smooth transition of assets to operations and maintenance teams.
• Leadership, Team Development & Knowledge Transfer
• Lead, mentor, and motivate construction managers, engineers, and site teams to achieve excellence.
• Provide technical guidance and professional development support to team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct lessons learned sessions and contribute to knowledge transfer for future projects.
  
  
  

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Construction Management (Master’s degree preferred).
• Professional certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), Chartered Engineer (CEng), or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) are advantageous.
• Minimum of 20 years’ experience in large-scale construction management, with significant exposure to airport, infrastructure, or transportation megaprojects.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary works across multiple contractors and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects within strict safety, schedule, and quality frameworks.
• Deep understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing, and project delivery processes.
• Strong leadership, planning, and coordination skills with ability to manage diverse project teams.
• Proficiency with project management and construction software (e.g., Primavera P6, Procore, BIM 360).
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills for resolving technical and operational challenges.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
  
  
  

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring

• Advanced certifications in Construction Management, Project Controls, or Risk Management.
• Familiarity with Lean Construction principles and digital construction management tools.
• Prior experience with airport operational standards, PMCM environments, or government-led infrastructure programs.
• Understanding of airfield operations, terminal systems, and aviation safety protocols.
• Knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twin integration for construction monitoring.
• Awareness of modular construction, prefabrication, and sustainable construction practices.
  
  
  

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.

---