Local recruitment: Director of Water, EWE, UK&I

Reqid: J10105726

Career Area: Business Management

Business Line: Water

Business Group: DCS

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Director of Water, EWE UK&I

Within the Environment, Water & Energy (EWE) Business Line, we focus on providing client and community-focused solutions, addressing global challenges, and delivering sustainable outcomes. Within this line, we’re proud to offer opportunities for our people and sustainable solutions for our clients, particularly in response to climate change, water scarcity concerns, and energy transition.

About You

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader with a passion for sustainability and a proven track record in leading and growing a water and/of environmental businesses. As the ideal candidate, you will possess leadership excellence, demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, with a focus on fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability. You will have an in-depth understanding of the UK&I water market, including regulatory frameworks, client needs, and emerging trends, coupled with the ability to navigate complexities and drive strategic growth initiatives.

Additionally, you will bring a strong technical background in water engineering, water resources, or water environment disciplines, with the ability to provide strategic direction and oversight across diverse projects and portfolios. Commitment to advancing sustainable water management practices, integrating nature-based solutions, and maximizing the value of natural resources to create lasting environmental and community benefits is fundamental to your role.

Key Responsibilities

• Report directly to the Managing Director of EWE 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 Water business.
• Ensure full accountability for the P&L performance of Water 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 Water leadership team you will also have joint accountability to deliver the overall P&L for EWE.
• 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, with succession plans for critical roles within Water.
• Ensure successful management of projects/programs within Water from prepositioning and proposal development to completion, including periodic project reviews.
• Implement change programs to increase efficiency, profitability, and quality of operations within the Water 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.
• 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 Water.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of senior operational leadership experience within a matrixed multinational Environment or Water Consultancy.
• Proven track record of successfully managing leadership teams and multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure and environment markets, including knowledge of social, political, and economic drivers across the European geography.
• Demonstrated positive and growth-oriented leadership approach, with the ability to coach and mentor direct reports.
• Recognized as a thought leader within the industry, demonstrated through participation in seminars, conferences, and various industry forums.
• Extensive experience in leading and implementing change programs to increase operational efficiency, profitability, and quality.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, with a successful history of securing new work and maintaining existing contracts.
• Ability to ensure client satisfaction through effective client management activities and a strong attention to detail.
• Clear experience in delivering successful health and safety initiatives.
• Proven track record in managing, leading, and motivating diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a culture of engagement and continuous development.
• Demonstrable record in coordinating successful client engagement or growth initiatives.
• Flexible and proactive approach to work.

Additional Information

Preferred Qualifications:

• Membership of a recognized professional body relative to our core markets.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, with 12+ years of experience, including a minimum of 6 years in leadership roles.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in the Water Industry, with proven financial acumen and accountability in managing large P&Ls.
• 15 years of successful business development/sales/growth experience in the public or private sectors, demonstrating ability to win new business opportunities.
• Strong organizational skills and results orientation, successfully achieving/exceeding sales and other financial KPIs. Experience driving diversified accounts; proposal development, strategic pricing and execution under various business models.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to build and maintain long- term partner and customer relationships related to role.
• Strong alignment with the values of AECOM which is demonstrated through experiences and performance in previous organisations.
• Alignment with AECOM’s values, demonstrated through previous experiences and performance.

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.

Closing Date – 2nd April 2024

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have 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.

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.

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

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J10105726

Business Line: Water

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Business Management

Work Location Model: Hybrid