Head of Planning – (Design & Construction)

Permanent

Cavu

AMER / Fully Remote – United States
Salary: $126,000 – $148,000
Travel: Approximately 30–40%

About Us

For airports, for partners, for people. We are Cavu. Founded by MAG (Manchester Airports Group) and backed by over 80 years of aviation expertise, we’re striving to revolutionize airport travel, creating value for passengers and the businesses that serve them.

Why Cavu?

Our name is taken from the aviation, meteorology term, ‘Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited’ (Cavu), which designates the perfect flying condition, where the ceiling is more than 10,000ft and the visibility is more than ten miles.

More than just a name, Cavu is our mindset. It represents all that we stand for. Our proud aviation heritage, our drive to push boundaries, and the very essence of what we do: creating seamless, enjoyable travel experiences for airport passengers.

From our origins at Manchester Airport in the UK, we expanded to the US in 2015 where Escape Lounges has become the top-rated operator of common-use lounges in North America (as measured by customer reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook and Yelp) .

What’s the role?

We’re looking for a Head of Planning – Capital Delivery to lead the strategic planning and preconstruction of complex capital projects across Cavu's growing portfolio of airport hospitality experiences.

This is a key role in shaping projects from the early planning and bid stages through to delivery. You’ll work closely with our Business Development, Finance, Procurement, Legal and project teams to assess opportunities, establish robust delivery plans, manage risk and ensure projects are set up for success from day one.

You’ll also help develop our network of consultants, contractors and design partners, establishing frameworks and processes that support Cavu's continued growth.

Based anywhere in the US, this is a fully remote role with regular travel required, approximately 30–40%, including site visits and occasional travel to our Chicago office.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and preconstruction of capital projects across Cavu's airport hospitality portfolio.
• Assess new opportunities alongside Business Development, challenging assumptions around cost, scope, programme and delivery risk.
• Lead due diligence, feasibility, design and preconstruction activities to ensure projects are commercially and operationally viable.
• Develop and manage frameworks for consultants, design firms, project management partners and contractors across our markets.
• Oversee budgets, project controls, risk and governance, ensuring projects are set up for successful delivery.
• Partner with the Capital Delivery team on selected high-profile projects, supporting delivery from award through to opening and close-out.

What will make you successful in this role?

• Significant experience in design, construction or capital project management, with experience progressing into strategic or programme-level responsibility.
• Essential aviation/airport experience, with a strong understanding of the complexities of working in live, highly regulated airport environments.
• Strong preconstruction and project planning experience, including feasibility, bid development, scope definition and risk assessment.
• Commercially astute, with the confidence to challenge assumptions, manage costs and balance delivery requirements with business objectives.
• Experienced in managing consultants, contractors and external partners, ideally across multiple disciplines.
• A strong stakeholder manager who can influence senior internal teams and external partners with tact and confidence.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design or a related field preferred. PMP or similar professional certification would be an advantage.

About You

You’re a strategic and commercially minded project leader who understands that successful delivery starts long before construction begins. You know the realities of working in aviation and can navigate complex stakeholders, competing priorities and operational constraints.

You’re comfortable challenging assumptions, identifying risks early and bringing structure to ambitious projects. Just as importantly, you can build strong relationships and influence teams across the business to get things done

Inclusion & Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, actual or perceived sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical handicap, or disability as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, or Veterans Status

• Significant experience in design, construction or capital project management, with experience progressing into strategic or programme-level responsibility.
• Essential aviation/airport experience, with a strong understanding of the complexities of working in live, highly regulated airport environments.
• Strong preconstruction and project planning experience, including feasibility, bid development, scope definition and risk assessment.
• Commercially astute, with the confidence to challenge assumptions, manage costs and balance delivery requirements with business objectives.
• Experienced in managing consultants, contractors and external partners, ideally across multiple disciplines.
• A strong stakeholder manager who can influence senior internal teams and external partners with tact and confidence.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design or a related field preferred. PMP or similar professional certification would be an advantage.