Executive Aviation Management Jobs in Park Ridge, IL

About Us

At Gresham Smith, we call it Genuine Ingenuity. Our culture is the cornerstone of who we are, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. United by our Core Purpose—to plan, design, and consult to create healthy and thriving communities—we deliver innovative solutions for life’s essential infrastructure and institutions.

What sets us apart is our dedication to care for our people, our clients, and the places we call home. We are more than a team of professionals—we’re a community built on commitment, integrity, respect, and teamwork.

Why Gresham Smith?

When you join Gresham Smith, you’re joining a place where you can connect and thrive. Our employees consistently recognize us as a Best Place to Work because we go above and beyond to ensure that you feel valued, supported, and empowered.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Engineering with 20+ years of job-related experience; professional licensure is required.
• 15+ years of experience serving Aviation clients in a consulting (architectural or engineering) role or direct managerial capacity, with hands-on involvement in capital project delivery is preferred.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to lead and deliver persuasive presentations that build client confidence and secure design contracts.
• Proven success in project management, overseeing multi-disciplinary Aviation projects, and ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams, delivering high-quality work, and achieving strong financial outcomes.
• Strong track record in building and maintaining client relationships, with a focus on both acquiring new clients and nurturing existing partnerships.
• Solid operational insight and a commitment to quality, ensuring the successful execution of projects and deliverables.

Most importantly, you bring genuine curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit—someone who wants to do great work with great people.

About the Role

We are seeking a Project Executive for our Aviation market with experience winning and managing large, multi-disciplinary aviation projects and clients, ideally in a seller-doer capacity. 

As a Project Executive, you will:

• Contribute to the strategic vision and direction of the Aviation market by leading research and information-gathering efforts to identify high-growth opportunities in new services and geographic areas, serving as both a leader and a seller-doer.
• Collaborate with the Executive Vice President (EVP) to identify and prioritize key pursuits that drive Aviation market growth.
• Secure new business and expand the client portfolio by winning new work and fostering relationships.
• Develop and execute tactical plans to identify strategic clients and new business opportunities; nurture existing client relationships, monitor client satisfaction, and ensure clients understand their value and importance to the firm.
• Lead major projects as a Project Executive, overseeing the successful management and delivery of key initiatives.
• Track market trends to anticipate evolving client demands, ensuring the team is equipped with the right skills and capabilities to meet future needs.
• Maintain strong client relationships with deep operational insights, driving project success and ensuring deliverables meet client expectations.
• Set clear project goals and communicate them effectively to teams, guiding Project Managers and teams to consistently achieve client expectations.
• Leverage architectural/engineering expertise to lead complex design projects within the Aviation industry.
• Apply strong persuasion and negotiation skills to secure favorable project and client outcomes.

Your work will directly contribute to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, all while growing your career within a supportive, people-first culture.

Join Us

If you’re excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s what you can expect:

Professional Growth: In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.

Culture that Cares: 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.

Competitive Benefits:

• Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
• Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
• Family Planning and Parental Leave
• Mass/Public Transit Program
• Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program

Base Salary range: $150,000 - $220,000, depending on knowledge, skills, and experience. The disclosed range estimate, unadjusted for location-based differences, may vary where the position is filled. 

Gresham Smith is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. Everyone is invited to apply!

GRESHAM SMITH does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, headhunters, search firms, or agencies. No referral or recruiter fees will be paid without a fully executed GRESHAM PLACEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (PSA) in advance. Submissions made without a PSA may be recruited and hired by GRESHAM SMITH with no financial obligation to the submitting party. Any such unsolicited resumes or candidate information—sent to hiring managers or any employee—become the property of GRESHAM SMITH.

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