International Program Director – Terminal 3 Programme - Sofia Airport

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Technical Officer, the International Program Director is accountable for the strategic planning and end‑to‑end delivery of Sofia Airport’s Terminal 3 programme and associated airside/landside works. Operating on the developer/promoter side within a live operational airport, the Director leads multiple projects and contractors to meet safety, schedule, cost and quality objectives while maintaining uninterrupted airport operations.

Key Parameters (Search Guidance)

·       Developer-side leadership of brown‑field, operational‑airport programmes (not green‑field).

·       Delivery of buildings > 50,000 sqm, ideally an operating airport terminal.

·       Proven track record managing €200m+ CAPEX, complex stakeholder interfaces and stringent airside/landside safety requirements.

Scope & Key Responsibilities

·       Own the programme governance, integrating Terminal 3 building delivery with T2–T3 interface works, apron/taxiway packages, utilities and commercial fit‑outs.

·       Lead full lifecycle from concept to handover: scope, design coordination, permitting, procurement strategy, execution, testing & commissioning, and ORAT readiness.

·       Establish and steer an Integrated Master Schedule and cost baseline; manage critical path, interfaces and risk, and drive recovery plans when needed (tool‑agnostic).

·       Drive rigorous change control, value engineering and cash‑flow management to meet budget and business objectives (>€200m).

·       Coordinate all parties: Main Contractor(s), Designer (Author Supervision), Independent Supervisor, Owner’s Engineer, and internal stakeholders (Operations, Security, Commercial, ICT, Engineering).

·       Ensure continuous operations through phased execution and night/possession works; protect passenger experience, airside movements and business continuity.

·       Champion SOF Connect values of safety, integrity, collaboration, excellence and sustainability.

Operational Safety, Airfield Works & Regulatory Compliance

·       Demonstrated experience delivering works inside operating terminals (brownfield), with proven interface management and phasing.

·       Executed airfield works (taxiways and aircraft stands) in accordance with EASA Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 and applicable AMC/GM.

·       Lead Management of Change for Operational Safety for stands and taxiways in line with EASA 139/2024, ensuring hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigations and formal approvals.

·       Develop and implement Operational Safety Plans for works affecting stands, taxiways and the manoeuvring area per EASA 139/2014, including RAMS, segregations, safeguarding and mitigation measures.

·       Define and enforce Permit‑to‑Work regimes for sterile and airside zones; control access, escorts, works windows, and safeguarding of obstacle limitation surfaces.

·       Plan and coordinate the publication of AIP Supplements aligned to AIRAC cycles, and manage NOTAM issuance.

·       Ensure alignment with ICAO Annexes, national CAA requirements and local airport regulations, working closely with Operations, Airside Safety, ATC and ground handlers.

Qualifications & Experience

·       Master’s degree in Civil/Aeronautical/Structural/Building/Electrical Engineering or related discipline.

·       15+ years’ experience in large‑scale brownfield delivery, including operational airport terminals and airfield packages (taxiways and stands).

·       Leadership of multi‑package programmes with CAPEX €200m+, including budget ownership, schedule governance and complex stakeholder management.

·       Executed track record in Operational Safety management per EASA 139/2014 and Management of Change per EASA 139/2024 for airfield works.

·       Experience with AIP Supplements (AIRAC) and NOTAM processes in coordination with the ANSP and regulators.

·       Contract administration experience; FIDIC familiarity is an advantage. Fluent English; Bulgarian is an strong advantage.

Skills & Competencies

·       Airfield and terminal phasing expertise with strong operational‑safety mindset.

·       Programme governance, risk and change control; decisive problem‑solving under time pressure.

·       Stakeholder leadership across regulators, airlines, ground handlers, security services and contractors.

·       Financial acumen for cost control, forecasting and value engineering; clear, data‑driven reporting to senior leadership.

·       Excellent communication and negotiation; ability to lead multicultural teams and external partners.

Personal Attributes

·       Safety‑first leader with unwavering integrity.

·       Resilient, hands‑on and composed under pressure; proactive and solutions‑oriented.

·       Collaborative, transparent and accountable; drives continuous improvement.

Reporting & Interfaces

Reports to: Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
Direct reports: Project Directors/Managers and discipline leads (as assigned)
Key interfaces: Designer (Author Supervision), Independent Supervisor, Owner’s Engineer, Main Contractor(s), Operations, Security, Airside Safety, ATC/ANSP, Airlines, Ground Handlers, Commercial and Regulators

The selected candidate will be employed by Sofia Airport. Relocation support is possible for cadndiates based outside of Bulgaria.