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Job Description:
Parsons are seeking a highly experienced ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) Manager to lead and manage all ORAT activities for a major Airport / Airfield project. The role is critical to ensuring the airport is fully operational, safe, compliant, and ready for seamless transition from construction to live operations.
The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in airport operations, stakeholder coordination, systems integration, testing, trials, and transition planning, with a proven track record of delivering complex airport ORAT programs successfully.
The ORAT Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful operational readiness and opening of the airport. This role requires extensive airport experience, strong leadership, and the ability to coordinate complex interfaces between construction, systems, operations, and regulatory stakeholders. The ORAT Manager will ensure the airport transitions smoothly into full operational status, meeting safety, compliance, and performance expectations from day one.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop and implement the overall ORAT strategy, roadmap, and execution plan aligned with project milestones and operational requirements.
- Define ORAT scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and success criteria for airside and landside operations.
- Ensure alignment between construction completion, systems readiness, regulatory approvals, and operational handover.
- Lead the planning and execution of operational readiness activities, ensuring all airport systems, facilities, and processes are ready for live operations.
- Manage transition from construction to operations, including phased openings, soft launches, and final commissioning.
- Coordinate asset handover, operational manuals, SOPs, and maintenance documentation.
- Plan and oversee integrated testing, operational trials, simulations, and shadow operations for airside and terminal facilities.
- Ensure readiness of critical systems such as BHS, AODB, FIDS, security systems, ATC interfaces, airfield ground lighting, and safety systems.
- Identify issues during trials and drive corrective actions to ensure operational stability.
- Act as the primary ORAT interface between project teams, airport operator, airlines, regulators, ground handlers, concessionaires, and service providers.
- Coordinate with aviation authorities, security agencies, customs, immigration, and emergency services to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Facilitate workshops, readiness reviews, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
- Ensure ORAT activities comply with national and international aviation regulations (ICAO, IATA, local CAA).
- Support certification, licensing, and operational approvals required for airport opening.
- Ensure safety management systems (SMS) and emergency response procedures are fully tested and implemented.
- Oversee development and execution of training programs for airport staff, airlines, and operational partners.
- Ensure personnel are trained, certified, and operationally competent prior to airport opening.
- Validate staffing plans, rostering, and readiness of operational teams.
- Identify operational, technical, and schedule-related risks impacting readiness and opening.
- Develop mitigation plans and proactively manage risks and dependencies across multiple stakeholders.
- Lead issue resolution to minimize operational disruption during transition and opening phases.
- Lead and manage the ORAT team, consultants, and contractors, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and performance.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior ORAT and operational readiness staff.
- Foster a collaborative, results-driven environment focused on successful airport opening.
- Prepare and present ORAT progress reports, readiness dashboards, and risk updates to senior management and project leadership.
- Provide clear recommendations and decision support related to operational readiness and opening strategies.
- Ensure transparent communication across all stakeholders throughout the ORAT lifecycle.
What Required Skills You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aviation Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
- Postgraduate qualification in Airport Management, Project Management, or Aviation is preferred.
- Minimum 15 years of experience in airport projects, aviation operations, or large infrastructure programs.
- Proven experience as an ORAT Manager or Senior ORAT Lead on at least one major airport opening, expansion, or terminal project.
- Strong exposure to airside, landside, terminal operations, and integrated airport systems.
- In-depth knowledge of airport operations, ORAT methodologies, and readiness frameworks.
- Strong understanding of ICAO, IATA, and local aviation regulatory requirements.
- Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and coordination skills.
- Strong planning, risk management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency in project management tools and reporting systems.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
- Experience on international or multi-terminal airport projects.
- Certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or Airport Operations.
- Strong understanding of airport IT and operational systems integration.
- Experience managing phased openings or brownfield airport transitions.
- Ability to work in high-pressure, time-critical environments with multiple stakeholders.
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!
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