Job Description

Company Description

At AECOM, we\'re delivering a better world.

At AECOM, we believe infrastructure creates opportunities that transform lives and communities. Our global team is united by a common purpose to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise, and digital solutions to deliver positive impacts in transportation, buildings, water, environment, and new energy sectors. We\'re one global team - 50,000 strong - driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.

Within the Environment, Water & Energy (EWE) business line, we make a positive impact on the world by providing client and community-focused solutions, addressing global challenges, and delivering sustainable outcomes. We are creating opportunities for our people and delivering sustainable solutions for our clients in response to climate change, water scarcity concerns and energy transition.\xe2\x80\x8b



About the role

As part of a wider growth initiative linked to our strategic plan, we are currently seeking to appoint a Nature Director to lead the Nature team within the Environment & Sustainability (E&S) Business Unit for the UK and Ireland (UK&I) region. This is an exciting opportunity to join a new leadership team focusing on our people, clients, technical excellence & quality, and operational efficiencies & sustainable growth. The E&S business is part of the Environment, Water, and Energy (EWE) business in the UK&I.

Reporting directly to and working closely with the E&S Business Unit Director, you will play a crucial role in leading and growing our Nature business in the UK&I. The Nature business has circa 150 employees and is focused on supporting our clients in all aspects of ecological services, mitigation, and biodiversity offsetting. We are unique amongst our peers with our investment in the Natural Capital Laboratory to research rewilding and the biodiversity and climate benefits this can provide. The team includes terrestrial, arboriculture and marine specialists.

With full accountability for the financial performance of the business segment, you will be instrumental in driving growth and innovation across private and public sector clients. Your exceptional leadership skills, extensive market knowledge, and expertise in driving strategy and operations will contribute to our commitment to delivering a better world.

About You

You are a highly motivated, organised, and proactive leader with a proven track record in leading and growing environmental businesses, business development, bidding and delivering major projects and strategy implementation. Your in-depth understanding of the UK&I Environment and Sustainability market, coupled with your grasp of the social, political, and economic drivers that influence it, will be integral to our success. With extensive experience in leading diverse teams in a fast-paced environment, you have excelled in planning, designing, and delivering projects while implementing data-led performance improvements. As a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion, you believe in creating a workplace that embraces and celebrates the unique talents and backgrounds of every individual.

Key Responsibilities

• Report directly to the E&S Business Unit Director and collaborate with fellow Business Directors, EWE Director of Strategy and Growth, Global Technical Teams, and wider EWE leadership.
• Develop and implement a growth plan aligned to the EWE Strategic Plan for the Nature business.
• Full accountability for the P&L performance of Nature versus the financial plan and outlook - key performance metrics being NSR Book to Burn, NSR, Gross Margin %, Cost Utilisation %, EBITA %, FTEs, employee attrition, and DSO. As part of the E&S leadership team you will also have joint accountability to deliver the overall P&L for E&S.
• Drive a culture where AECOM is recognised as a great place to work, by upholding AECOM\'s values, championing equity, diversity, & inclusion, and promoting employee engagement and continuous development.
• Initiate and lead recruitment of strategic and/or senior hires.
• Have succession plans in place for all critical roles within Nature.
• Ensure successful management of projects/programs within Nature from prepositioning and proposal development to completion, including periodic project reviews.
• Implement change programs to increase efficiency, profitability, and quality of operations within the Nature business.
• Maintain and secure new business opportunities to drive growth while ensuring client satisfaction as measured through Net Promoter Score feedback.
• Support the development and implementation of innovative and digital solutions to enhance business performance and service delivery.
• Collaborate with other business units within EWE UK&I and across AECOM globally to deliver multi-disciplinary projects and programs, showcasing our DNA for work winning.
• Support the adoption of bid governance guidelines and facilitate the Go/No-Go process.
• Lead by example by visibly driving SH&E culture, ensuring effective implementation of AECOM SH&E policies and procedures, and achieving the SH&E core value metrics for Nature.

Closing date for applications is Monday 4th September.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• 15+ years of experience in senior leadership roles within a matrixed multinational Environment Consultancy.
• Demonstrated success in building, developing and leading leadership teams and multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Good understanding of Environment markets and the socio-political and economic drivers across the European geography.
• Proven ability to provide positive and growth-oriented leadership, fostering talent development and coaching for direct reports.
• Extensive experience in leading and implementing change programs.
• Strong financial and budget management skills.
• Successful track record in securing new work and maintaining existing contracts.
• Strong track record in client relationship management.
• Strong attention to detail and experience delivering successful health & safety initiatives.
• Experienced in managing, leading, and motivating diverse, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility and proactive approach to work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Membership of a recognised professional body relative to our core markets.
• Master\'s or Engineering Degree in an appropriate Environmental Related field - Geology, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Engineering.
• 10 years of experience in leading large teams and successful financial performance of large P&Ls.
• 15 years of successful business development/sales/growth experience in the public or private sectors.
• Strong organisational skills and results orientation, with a track record of achieving/exceeding sales and other financial KPIs.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain long-term partner and customer relationships.
• Alignment with AECOM\'s values, demonstrated through previous experiences and performance.
• Background in Ecological Assessment, Natural Capital, Sustainability & Resilience, Ecological Survey, Biodiversity Net Gain, and knowledge of wider Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Policy.

As an inclusive leader, you will:

• Demonstrate dedication to driving our inclusion strategy by fostering a culture of respect within your team.
• Build a diverse and inclusive workforce, recruiting and retaining the best talent while nurturing the next generation of leaders.
• Lead with empathy, respect, and understanding, actively seeking diverse perspectives.
• Encourage a work environment where employees can grow, innovate, collaborate and be their authentic selves.
• Uphold AECOM\'s values and promote engagement and continuous development among staff within the region.

Additional Information

Your benefits will include:

Helping our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance is important to us. If you join AECOM, as well as receiving a competitive salary, you\'ll also have the opportunity to explore flexible working arrangements. Core benefits include 25 days\' annual leave, company pension scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance and one paid annual professional institution membership fee. You can also choose from a wide range of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.

You\'ll also be able to give back to communities with up to two paid CSR days each year. Through our charity, The AECOM Foundation, you can volunteer to support children in developing countries. And if you\'re a member of the Reserve Forces you\'ll receive an additional 15 days paid leave for training commitments.

What We Offer

We will give you the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you\'re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion - a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organisation you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business.

We offer competitive pay and benefits, well-being programs to support you and your family, and the development resources you need to advance your career.

When you join us, you will connect and collaborate with a global network of experts - planners, designers, engineers, scientists, consultants, program and construction managers - leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us and let\'s get started.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person\'s potential, and we\'ll help you reach yours.

With infrastructure investment accelerating worldwide, our services are in great demand, and there\'s never been a better time to be at AECOM! Join us, and you\'ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm - access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We\'re the world\'s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we\'re in this together - your growth and success are ours too.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person\'s potential, and we\'ll help you reach yours.

Join us and let\'s get started.

AECOM