Senior Manager – Operational Technology & Airport Systems

About the Role

Mace, a leading consultancy and construction firm, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Manager – Operational Technology & Airport Systems to join our team on a transformative project: the development of a world-class new airport in Saudi Arabia. This landmark initiative is designed to set a new global standard for aviation excellence, with the ambition to accommodate up to 120 million passengers annually by 2030. As a key member of our project team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the technical and operational foundations of this iconic infrastructure, ensuring it delivers unparalleled performance, safety, and innovation.

Your Mission

This is a unique opportunity to lead the design assurance, technical governance, and systems integration for one of the most ambitious aviation projects of the decade. You will be responsible for overseeing the seamless integration of operational technology (OT) and airport systems, driving digital transformation, and embedding resilience and cybersecurity into the project’s core. Your expertise will be instrumental in translating complex technical requirements into scalable, high-performance solutions that align with both programme objectives and the client’s strategic vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Provide specialist guidance across airport systems, operational technology, and smart infrastructure, ensuring alignment with programme and client goals.
• Design Assurance: Review and validate technical designs, specifications, and submissions from design partners to ensure compliance with operational, safety, resilience, and performance standards.
• Systems Integration: Lead the planning and delivery of integrated airport systems, including passenger processing, baggage handling interfaces, airside systems, security systems, communications networks, and command centre technologies.
• Digital Strategy & Architecture: Advise on digital transformation initiatives, systems architecture, and smart destination solutions for airport city developments.
• Cross-System Collaboration: Ensure seamless integration between IT, OT, and enterprise systems to enhance operational efficiency and enable data-driven decision-making.
• Cybersecurity & Resilience: Champion robust cybersecurity measures, governance standards, and resilience frameworks across critical operational environments.
• Procurement & Vendor Management: Provide technical input into procurement strategies, tender evaluations, vendor selection, and systems assurance processes.
• Innovation & Sustainability: Drive innovation in automation, analytics, IoT, and digital twin applications while supporting the project’s net zero carbon transition goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate effectively with senior client stakeholders, operators, consultants, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Carbon Management: Proactively identify and manage carbon emissions and reductions to contribute to the project’s sustainability objectives.

Your Qualifications & Experience

To excel in this role, you will bring:

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification in a technical discipline.
• Extensive experience in delivering airport systems and operational technology across major aviation and critical infrastructure programmes.
• Deep technical expertise in integrated security, building systems, and smart digital infrastructure.
• A proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams and ensuring robust, scalable design solutions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence outcomes in complex environments.
• Eligibility to work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including relevant visa criteria and prior experience on high-value projects within a project management consultancy.

Why Join Mace?

At Mace, we are committed to unlocking the potential of every project and every person. Our values define how we work and the culture we foster:

• Safety First: Prioritising the well-being of our teams and ensuring a safe, inclusive working environment.
• Client Focus: Delivering on our promises by owning the quality of our deliverables and building long-term client relationships.
• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards and compliance obligations in all our actions.
• Create Opportunity: Inspiring continuous improvement and fostering a culture of growth and development.

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we invite you to join us in redefining the future of aviation.