Airport Transaction Advisory Specialist

Mott MacDonald

Locations: Croydon, London 
Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess 

We’re a global engineering, management, and development consultancy. 
Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. 

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs. 

We are proud to be a one of Glassdoor’s top employers to work for in the UK, as well as being recognised as a Top Inclusive Company in the UK.

Our values: Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Excellence. 

About the business unit:
We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and​ advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Job description:

We are seeking a proactive and dynamic Airport Transaction Advisory specialist, who will play a key role in leading and delivering services related to airport transactions, including privatization, concessions, public-private partnerships (PPP), and other forms of investment.

The role requires a strategic thinker who has a collaborative, team-oriented mindset, with a focus on winning work and delivering high-quality projects in alignment with the business’ governance procedures.

Key responsibilities include:

Business Development, Network & Client Engagement

• Actively seek and pursue new business opportunities to grow the airport transaction advisory portfolio.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, airport operators, financiers, and private sector stakeholders and concessionaires.
• Leverage an established industry network to identify potential clients, investors, and partners.
• Lead proposal development efforts, including drafting high-quality bids, presentations, and pitch documents.
• Represent Mott MacDonald at industry conferences, networking events, and client meetings to enhance visibility and credibility.

Technical & Transaction Advisory Leadership

• Lead and manage complex airport transaction projects from feasibility studies to financial close.
• Advise clients on PPP structuring, concession agreements, privatization models, and transaction processes.
• Conduct technical due diligence and work closely with financial, legal and insurance advisors to assess project viability.
• Provide strategic advice on risk identification and mitigation, regulatory compliance, and commercial terms in transaction agreements.

Project Structuring and Business Advisory

• Develop and review financial models for airport transactions, ensuring bankability and financial sustainability.
• Analyse and negotiate key transaction documents, including concession agreements, financing agreements, service agreements (eg. ground handlers, retail, airlines) etc.
• Engage with lenders, investors, and multilateral institutions to structure and secure project financing.
• Guide clients through competitive bidding processes, regulatory approvals, and stakeholder negotiations.

Other Responsibilities

• Lead and support closely cross-functional teams, including planning, engineering, operations etc.
• Provide guidance and support to colleagues in their development 
• Lead the engagement and management of subconsultants
• Undertake client visits both domestically and abroad in support of project delivery and client relationship development and enhancement
• Work within agreed budgets

We are looking for a flexible and motivated professional with experience and a genuine passion for the aviation industry.
To apply for this position, it is preferrable to have the following: 

• Considerable experience in airport transaction advisory, infrastructure finance, or PPP structuring.
• A strong network in the aviation and infrastructure sectors
• Proven expertise in airport PPP models, transaction processes, and project finance structures.
• Strong understanding of project agreements, financing documentation, and risk allocation.
• Demonstrated success in business development and winning advisory work.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Experience working with governments, airport operators, investors, multilateral institutions, and private sector players.
• Proven track record of leading projects from feasibility through to financial close.
• Demonstratable experience and knowledge of airport operations, airport revenue streams, service contracts, operational expenditures, regulatory frameworks, and aviation sector trends.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, Economics, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Fluency in English – knowledge of other languages will be valued as an advantage.

You'll need to be able to travel and work overseas (sometimes at short notice) as required. 

We are looking for candidates with the following characteristics:

• Proactive and self-driven, with a strong ability to identify and pursue new opportunities.
• Well-connected in the airport and infrastructure sectors, with a strong industry reputation.
• Excellent networking skills, able to build and maintain strategic relationships.
• Strong business development skills, with experience in winning work and securing mandates.
• Exceptional proposal writing and presentation abilities.
• A team player who supports and uplifts colleagues
• Strong leadership and project management skills, with the ability to drive teams to deliver results.
• Detail-oriented, analytical, and strategic thinker, capable of solving complex transaction challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which allow you to confidently liaise with clients and lead cross-functional teams. 
• Proven ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Advanced user of Word, PowerPoint and Excel

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working 

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

 Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.