VP Aviation Principal / Client Account Lead MA, ME, RI

Northeast Aviation Principal And Growth Leader

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical infrastructure and transportation challenges.

Airports are essential gateways that connect people, commerce, and communities. Across the Northeast and New England, airport owners are investing in terminal redevelopment, airfield modernization, resiliency improvements, sustainability initiatives, passenger growth, cargo expansion, and emerging aviation technologies.

If you're passionate about shaping the future of aviation infrastructure, join Jacobs as our Northeast Aviation Principal and Growth Leader.

You will work in collaboration with our Market Growth Directors, Directors of Operations, Sales Leadership, Aviation Practice Leadership, and Transportation Leadership Teams to expand Jacobs' aviation business throughout the Northeast and New England.

Your time will be balanced between client development, project portfolio leadership, and strategic growth initiatives.

As an Aviation Principal, you will serve as a senior client-facing leader responsible for project delivery, client satisfaction, portfolio performance, and business growth. You will provide aviation technical, program management, and project leadership; responsible for the successful delivery of aviation planning, design, PMCM, advisory, and alternative delivery projects that are technically sound, commercially successful, and responsive to client needs.

As a Growth Leader, you will drive client outreach strategies, relationship development, account planning, capture activities, and major pursuit efforts. You will identify market opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and work closely with operations and sales leadership to develop differentiated solutions that position Jacobs for continued success within the aviation market.

You will serve as a trusted advisor to airport owners and operators while maintaining responsibility for a portfolio of aviation projects and programs. Success in this role will be measured through growth, client satisfaction, project delivery excellence, portfolio performance, and strategic market expansion.

Your knowledge of airport authorities, airport operators, federal funding programs, airlines, regulatory stakeholders, and airport capital improvement programs will be critical to your success.

If you're up for the challenge, we've been looking for someone just like you. Join our team and help shape the future of aviation throughout the Northeast.

You'll integrate with our local and regional transportation teams committed to growing our aviation business throughout the Northeast and New England.

You'll leverage your knowledge of the aviation market to identify, position, and pursue planning, design, PMCM, advisory, and alternative delivery opportunities.

You'll lead client service efforts for existing and new aviation clients, helping develop and implement regional growth strategies through direct engagement with airport owners, operators, and key stakeholders.

You'll build and strengthen strategic relationships with airport authorities, airlines, consultants, contractors, and industry partners.

You'll have the opportunity to immediately engage in existing pursuits, key client programs, and strategic growth initiatives.

You'll collaborate with transportation, buildings, environmental, water, digital, and PMCM teams to deliver integrated solutions for aviation clients.

You'll engage with transportation and aviation professionals through our technical communities, leadership forums, and industry organizations to continue developing your professional network and industry influence.

Leadership Responsibilities

Develop and execute growth strategies for aviation clients across the Northeast and New England.

Maintain and grow a portfolio of aviation projects and programs.

Drive project and portfolio financial performance, including revenue growth, profitability, forecasting, resource planning, and backlog development.

Serve as Project Executive, Principal-in-Charge, Client Account Manager, Program Manager, or Pursuit Leader for strategic aviation assignments.

Lead client account planning and executive relationship management activities.

Identify, position, and lead major aviation pursuits across the region.

Partner with operations leadership to align staffing, delivery, growth objectives, and resource planning.

Mentor, recruit, and develop aviation professionals across the region.

Foster collaboration across aviation, transportation, buildings, environmental, PMCM, and digital solutions teams.

Promote a culture of safety, quality, technical excellence, innovation, and client service.

Key Markets and Clients

The successful candidate will help drive growth opportunities including:

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Massport

Connecticut Airport Authority

Rhode Island Airport Corporation

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

Burlington International Airport

Albany International Airport

Syracuse Hancock International Airport

FAA and federally funded airport programs

Regional and general aviation airports throughout the Northeast and New England

Here's what you'll need

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Aviation, Architecture, Planning, Construction Management, or related discipline.

Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA), AAAE Credential, or comparable professional certification preferred.

Substantial years of progressive experience in aviation infrastructure, airport development, program management, or aviation consulting services.

Substantial years of leadership experience managing complex projects, programs, clients, and multidisciplinary teams.

Demonstrated experience delivering airport capital improvement programs, terminal developments, airside infrastructure, or major aviation facilities projects.

Proven success developing client relationships and growing business within the aviation sector.

Experience managing project portfolios, including financial performance, project profitability, staffing, forecasting, risk management, and client satisfaction.

Demonstrated success leading major pursuits, capture efforts, interviews, and proposal teams.

Strong working knowledge of FAA requirements, aviation industry best practices, airport funding programs, and project delivery methodologies.

Established relationships with airport authorities, airport operators, airlines, regulators, and aviation industry stakeholders throughout the Northeast and New England.

Excellent communication, leadership, collaboration, and executive presentation skills.

Ideally, You'll Also Have

MBA or advanced degree in business, engineering, aviation, or related discipline.

AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) or Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation.

Experience serving as Project Executive, Program Executive, Principal-in-Charge, or Client Account Manager for major aviation programs.

Alternative Delivery experience, including Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, CMAR, or P3 projects.

Experience with airport sustainability, resiliency, decarbonization, electrification, or Advanced Air Mobility initiatives.

National visibility through aviation industry organizations, publications, conferences, or thought leadership activities.

Experience working with major aviation clients within the Northeast region.

Posted Salary Range: Minimum $217,000.00 Posted Salary Range: Upper $295,000.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $217,000.00 to $295,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on August 21, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

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