LEAD - Terminal Works (BIAL)

**Only Looking for Candidates from Europe based in India**

About the Organisation

Our client is a globally recognised construction management firm with over a century of delivering complex, landmark projects across 30+ countries. Their India operations, established for nearly two decades, are run by a team of 400+ professionals managing an active construction portfolio exceeding USD 5 billion across aviation, commercial, residential, retail, hospitality, and infrastructure sectors.

Their most strategically significant current mandate is the Programme Management of a major international airport terminal expansion in Bengaluru — one of the most complex aviation infrastructure programmes underway in Asia. The terminal expansion spans over 255,000 sqm in its current phase with a passenger capacity of 25 million per annum, and a subsequent expansion phase targeting total airport capacity of over 85 million passengers per year. The project is LEED Gold certified and represents a landmark of sustainable aviation design in India.

Role Overview

The Lead – Terminal Works (BIAL) is the single-point leadership authority for the delivery of the terminal works package, reporting directly to the Project Director. This is one of the most strategically significant roles in the programme — requiring an aviation construction expert capable of orchestrating a complex, multi-discipline programme in a live, operational airport environment. The role demands mastery of mega-project delivery, stakeholder management at the highest levels, and the personal authority to lead large multidisciplinary teams under sustained operational pressure.

• Location: Bengaluru (on-site, Kempegowda International Airport)
• Department: PMC – Construction Execution
• Reporting To: Project Director, BIAL Programme
• Project Scale: Phase 1: ~255,000 sqm | Phase 2: ~278,000 sqm additional
• Experience: Minimum 20 years; 10+ years in aviation / mega-infrastructure leadership
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Key Responsibilities

1. Overall Project Leadership

• Lead the complete terminal development programme, encompassing all landside and airside interface requirements across the terminal expansion.
• Act as the single-point leadership authority for the terminal package, ensuring alignment with overall programme objectives set by the Project Director.
• Develop and execute robust project delivery strategies, recovery plans, risk mitigation frameworks, and governance structures.
• Ensure delivery within approved schedule, budget, quality, safety, and airport operational requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams spanning construction, engineering, planning, commercial, procurement, QA/QC, HSE, testing & commissioning, and stakeholder management.

2. Project Execution & Construction Management

• Oversee all phases of terminal construction including enabling works, civil, structural, architectural, MEPF systems, baggage handling systems (BHS), façade, interior fit-outs, specialty systems, and operational systems integration.
• Ensure all construction activities are executed in strict accordance with approved drawings, specifications, contract requirements, and airport operational standards.
• Lead sequencing and phasing strategies specific to a live, operational airport environment — managing work-package interfaces without disrupting live terminal operations.
• Coordinate contractors, design consultants, concessionaires, specialist vendors, and airport operational teams with precision.
• Monitor construction productivity, resource deployment, progress against baseline, and contractor performance; implement data-driven corrective actions.
• Oversee Lean Construction methodologies and advanced project management practices across all work packages.
• Ensure effective logistics, access management, and airside/landside interface coordination throughout the programme lifecycle.

3. Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary senior interface with client leadership, airport authorities (AAI/BCAS/DGCA), design consultants, contractors, concessionaires, and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain active, productive working relationships with airline operators, ground handlers, and external agencies with an interest in terminal operations.
• Lead executive-level coordination meetings; prepare and present strategic programme updates to senior leadership.
• Manage approvals, permits, inspections, and statutory compliance in a multi-authority airport regulatory environment.
• Balance stakeholder expectations against project objectives, operational constraints, and commercial realities.

4. Commercial & Contract Management

• Own the commercial management of the terminal package including cost control, change management, claims management, cash flow forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Review and approve procurement strategies, bid evaluations, subcontractor appointments, and contract administration processes.
• Ensure proactive management of variations, extension of time claims, and commercial risks.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to maintain financial control rigour and accurate month-end reporting.

5. Planning, Scheduling & Reporting

• Lead the development and maintenance of integrated master schedules for terminal works, coordinating inputs from all packages and disciplines.
• Monitor critical path activities and implement structured recovery plans for any schedule deviations.
• Ensure accurate, timely programme reporting via dashboards, risk registers, milestone tracking, and KPI reports.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and performance analytics across the project.

6. Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture aligned with both organisational HSE standards and airport safety requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to all HSE regulations, airport operational safety requirements (airside safety, FOD management), and applicable policies.
• Lead QA/QC implementation across all project activities, ensuring compliance with aviation standards, IS codes, and international best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence programmes throughout the project lifecycle.

7. Testing, Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Lead integrated testing and commissioning (T&C) activities for all terminal systems including MEPF, BHS, BMS, AV/IT, and FIDS.
• Coordinate Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) activities in close collaboration with airport operational teams.
• Ensure successful systems integration and seamless handover to airport operations.
• Oversee defect management, punch-list closure, and comprehensive project closeout.
• Support operational transition planning and terminal opening readiness.

8. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary project team of 100+ professionals.
• Establish a performance-driven, accountable, and collaborative team culture consistent with organisational values.
• Drive workforce planning, talent development, and succession planning for the project.
• Foster collaboration between all project stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Expertise & Qualifications

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering (mandatory).
• Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or Project Management (preferred).
• Professional certifications such as PMP, MRICS, CCM, PE, or equivalent (preferred).

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 20 years of experience in large-scale construction and infrastructure project delivery.
• Minimum 10 years in senior leadership roles managing mega aviation, transportation, or complex integrated infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated delivery of major airport terminal projects — ideally in South Asia or comparable international markets.
• Hands-on experience working in live airport or operational environments with concurrent construction and live operations.
• Proven capability managing multidisciplinary teams of 100+ and large contractor ecosystems across complex integrated programmes.
• Demonstrated success on projects exceeding USD 500 million in construction value is preferred.
• Experience with ORAT, integrated systems testing, T&C, and terminal commissioning activities.
• International project delivery experience is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep technical expertise across all construction disciplines relevant to complex terminal buildings: civil/structural, MEPF, BHS, façade, fit-out, and specialist systems.
• Strong programme governance and controls capability — proficient in Primavera P6, MS Project, Earned Value Management, and digital project management platforms.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills in a multi-party, multi-authority environment.
• High commercial acumen with strong contract management experience (FIDIC, NEC, or equivalent).
• Thorough knowledge of DGCA, AAI, and BCAS regulatory requirements and aviation safety standards.
• Familiarity with LEED certification processes and sustainable construction practices is an advantage.