SOM

Airport Practice Lead

London Full time

Overview

The London studio is seeking a Senior Architect and Project Manager to help shape the studio’s emerging Aviation Group. With around 20 years of architectural and project leadership experience, this individual will play a central role in establishing the group’s design and delivery standards while connecting the London team with the Firmwide aviation practice.

This opportunity sits at an exciting intersection of design, leadership, and strategy, and offers the chance to lead one of our most prestigious and culturally significant projects — the T3a Terminal (Hajj West Terminal) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — ensuring design integrity, cultural sensitivity, and technical excellence are upheld with care throughout every phase.

Role Purpose

This role will bridge project management, design leadership, and strategic development. The Senior Architect and Project Manager will oversee delivery of the Jeddah project while contributing to the broader growth of the aviation portfolio across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Their expertise will strengthen the London studio’s position as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, design excellence, and client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and coordinate the Jeddah T3a Terminal project, ensuring seamless design delivery, technical documentation, and consultant integration to achieve design, technical, and financial success.
     

  • Collaborate closely with Design Leaders to maintain design quality and cultural sensitivity throughout all phases.
     

  • Define and advise on the structure and strategy of the aviation group, establishing links with the Firmwide Transportation team to align best practices and share expertise.
     

  • Provide leadership in consultant and client management, ensuring clear communication and coordination across disciplines and geographies.
     

  • Collaborate with the firmwide aviation leader along with Partners and senior teams to prepare, issue, and manage compliance plans aligned with project goals, budget, and schedule.
     

  • Oversee labor allocation, project reporting, and internal controls in coordination with Project Accountants.
     

  • Chair regular team meetings, ensuring proactive communication, accurate record keeping, and effective issue resolution.
     

  • Monitor project scope for contract compliance, managing potential additional services and project risks in collaboration with SOM Partners and the legal team.
     

  • Manage the owner/client relationship, ensuring expectations are met and collaboration remains effective and transparent.
     

  • Work in close collaboration with the Firmwide Aviation practice leader to lead business development and marketing efforts to support the growth of the aviation practice, identifying new opportunities and contributing to proposals and presentations across EMEA.
     

  • Participate as part of the Senior Project Management Team in London, promoting a strong, inclusive, and design-driven studio culture.
     

  • Mentor junior team members, fostering an environment that values creativity, accountability, and collaboration.
     

Profile & Attributes

  • Extensive experience delivering large-scale aviation or transport infrastructure projects of design and cultural significance.
     

  • Proven ability to lead complex, international consultant teams and deliver projects from concept through construction.
     

  • Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills with a collaborative and thoughtful approach.
     

  • Desire to help shape a growing aviation practice, connecting design, delivery, and strategy across a global platform.
     

Leadership Responsibilities

  • Actively lead multiple projects and teams, serving as a trusted resource across markets and disciplines.
     

  • Mentor, train, and develop emerging talent while engaging in broader talent strategy and recruitment.
     

  • Demonstrate leadership in sustainable design implementation and promote knowledge sharing across the team.
     

  • Contribute to the development of services, standards, and procedures that advance design excellence while safeguarding the firm’s financial and legal interests.
     

  • Inspire a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and collective success across teams and offices.
     

Qualifications

  • Professional Degree in Architecture
     

  • Licensed in state of practice; LEED accreditation preferred
     

  • Minimum 10 years of experience leading complex projects
     

  • Strong understanding of sustainable strategies and green building rating systems (LEED or equivalent)
     

  • Demonstrated ability to manage schedule, budget, and program delivery
     

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
     

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Smartsheets, Adobe Suite, and Google Workspace
     

  • Familiarity with Deltek Vision and Salesforce preferred

At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.  Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.