Head of Delivery - Dual Runway

Head of Delivery (Dual Runway)

Competitive + 5% Welcome Bonus* + £12,000 Flex Allowance + up to 40% Bonus + Benefits

Great journeys happen at London Gatwick. Where will your career take you?

The buzz, the energy, the sheer magic of travel… You can feel it in the air all around you. Here, you'll be part of an energetic team and a vibrant community. We can help you thrive in a career that's a world away from the everyday.

Shape one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes.

At London Gatwick, we're reimagining the future of one of the world's busiest single-runway airports through our Northern Runway Project. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a transformative infrastructure programme that will enhance capacity, improve resilience and support sustainable growth for decades to come.

We're looking for a Head of Delivery (Dual Runway) to lead the construction phase of our multi-billion-pound Dual Runway and Surface Access programme. Working as part of the senior leadership team alongside the Head of Design (Dual Runway) and Project Controls Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in taking this nationally significant programme from concept through to delivery and operational handover.

What is the role?

As Head of Delivery (Dual Runway), you'll provide strategic and operational leadership across a complex programme of airfield, civil engineering, surface access and enabling works projects, with a combined programme value expected to exceed £2 billion.

Leading a high-performing team and working closely with delivery partners, contractors, airport operations and external stakeholders, you'll ensure the programme is delivered safely, efficiently and in full compliance with regulatory, operational and environmental requirements.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the delivery strategy and execution of one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes within a live operational airport environment.

What you'll be doing

• Developing and leading the programme-wide delivery strategy for the Dual Runway and Surface Access programme.
• Providing leadership across procurement, mobilisation, construction and handover phases.
• Leading and inspiring a high-performing delivery team, creating a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Overseeing Tier 1 contractors and delivery partner mobilisation and performance.
• Championing world-class health, safety and environmental performance across the programme and supply chain.
• Managing complex operational, construction and stakeholder interfaces within a live airport environment.
• Ensuring compliance with all regulatory, planning and Development Consent Order (DCO) obligations.
• Driving programme performance against cost, schedule, quality and carbon targets.
• Supporting the development of innovative low-carbon infrastructure solutions.
• Representing the programme at senior governance forums and deputising for the Capital Programmes Director (Dual Runway) when required.

What we're looking for

You'll be a highly experienced infrastructure leader with a track record of delivering large-scale, complex programmes in highly regulated operational environments.

You'll also have:

• Degree-level qualification in Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Experience leading large multi‑disciplinary client‑side teams (of up to 30 people) and managing complex supplier ecosystems.
• Significant experience leading major infrastructure programmes valued in excess of £500m, with experience on programmes exceeding £1bn highly desirable.
• Proven delivery experience across major civil engineering, transportation, airfield or surface access infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading large multi-disciplinary client-side teams and managing extensive supply chains.
• Strong knowledge of programme delivery, construction management and project governance.
• Excellent commercial awareness, including experience working with NEC contracts and complex contracting strategies.
• The ability to influence and build relationships at the executive level.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills across internal and external organisations.
• The resilience and leadership capability to operate successfully within a complex and evolving programme environment.

Experience within an airport environment is highly desirable, although we would also welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in major rail, highways, utilities or other large-scale infrastructure programmes.

What's in it for you?

At London Gatwick, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the UK's most exciting and high-profile infrastructure programmes while helping shape the future of the airport.

You'll benefit from:

• 5% Welcome Bonus
• 30 days' holiday
• Performance-based bonus scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to development and leadership opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

What's it like to work at London Gatwick?

At London Gatwick, our people are our biggest asset. We want our people to thrive and have the best experience while working with us. We know we are all at our best when we feel comfortable and included.

We are an organisation that places diversity, equity, and inclusion at its heart. We aim to create a place where everyone belongs and has a voice, and we recognise that we all play an important role in our success.

London Gatwick supports an inclusive recruitment process, enabling you to perform at your best. Please make us aware, as part of your application, should you require any reasonable adjustments.

Click Apply Now to start your career journey with London Gatwick.

You can find out more about what it's like to work at London Gatwick by visiting our careers site, Careers at London Gatwick  

Please note: The Welcome Bonus is intended to support the attraction of new Construction talent to London Gatwick. As such, it is available to new external hires only and does not apply to individuals returning to employment with the business or internal transfers.