Freese and Nichols Inc

Aviation Program Management Lead

Freese and Nichols Inc$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, building construction, construction management, or equivalent practical experience
  • Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect certification
  • Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
  • 10+ years of experience managing an aviation department or aviation capital improvement programs
  • Willingness and ability to travel and navigate active construction sites independently

Responsibilities

  • Lead airport capital improvement programs from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment of scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations
  • Develop comprehensive program management plans, including work descriptions, schedules, budgets, and procurement strategies
  • Guide selection of delivery methods and contract strategies to navigate public-sector procurement complexities
  • Manage both Freese and Nichols and client budgets, with familiarity in municipal and airport budgeting
  • Build and lead teams for airport program pursuits, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders
  • Cultivate relationships in the aviation sector to enhance Freese and Nichols' positioning for future projects
  • Review and improve aviation program methodologies to optimize team sizes and integrate best practices across projects

Benefits

  • Paid overtime for salaried employees
  • Annual bonus eligibility
  • Access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina
  • Flexible hybrid work schedule with up to 40% remote work opportunity
  • Alternative work schedule providing a day off every other Friday
Full Job Description

Freese and Nichols is seeking Aviation Program Management Lead in Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, Houston, or San Antonio, Texas.

What You’ll Do

  • Lead airport capital improvement programs from set-up through closeout, aligning scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations

  • Develop program management plans, including work descriptions, detailed schedules, budgets, M/W/DBE plans, contact plans, public involvement plans, procurement plans, and construction management plans

  • Guide delivery method selection and contract document strategy, and help resolve complex public-sector procurement issues

  • Develop and manage budgets for both Freese and Nichols and the client, with an understanding of municipal and airport budgeting processes

  • Build and lead pursuit and delivery teams for airport program and design pursuits, coordinating internal groups and teaming partners

  • Strengthen and expand relationships across the aviation community to position Freese and Nichols for current and future pursuits

  • Review and streamline aviation program approaches to right-size teams and embed aviation best practices consistently

  • Work regularly in the field, including navigating active construction sites and operating out of field offices as needed

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, building construction, construction management, or equivalent practical experience

  • Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect

  • Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP)

  • 10+ years of experience in direct management of an aviation department or aviation capital improvement programs

  • Ability to travel as needed and negotiate construction sites without assistance, including working out of field offices

Preferred

  • Experience developing and implementing QA/QC processes and goals across multi-project programs

  • Demonstrated success leading pursuit strategy, preparing SOQs/RFP responses, and aligning the right team and scope for pursuits

  • Experience developing region-specific aviation program marketing or growth plans and supporting client engagement activities

  • Active participation in professional organizations, including presenting technical/industry papers or holding leadership roles

  • Comfort serving as an extension of client staff, building communication protocols, and guiding complex stakeholder coordination

About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always).  Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values.

We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service.  For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need:  developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at Benefits That Work for You), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina.  We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday.

Join our team of 1,300+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado. Learn more about working here at Working at Freese and Nichols.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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