Head of Design & Build Director, Water UK&I

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design & Build Director, Water UK&I

Company: AECOM

Location: London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Water Sector Operations / Infrastructure Consulting Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-04-13

Experience Level: Senior Leadership (10+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic growth and market development for AECOM's Design and Build contractor business within the UK and Ireland water sector, a critical area for future infrastructure investment.

• Drive business development initiatives, identify new opportunities, and cultivate strong partnerships with key contractors and designers to secure high-value projects and frameworks.

• Provide senior leadership and strategic direction to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring the successful planning, design, and delivery of complex water infrastructure projects.

• Champion AECOM's values, including a strong focus on Safety, Health & Environment (SH&E), Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and employee engagement to foster a high-performing and inclusive work environment.

• Collaborate with senior leadership across AECOM's Water business, Europe & India region, and global teams to align market strategy, share best practices, and maximize AECOM's work-winning capabilities in the contractor-led space.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within AECOM's Water UK&I business, focusing on a specific and high-growth segment: Design and Build (D&B) contracting. The emphasis on "contractor-led space" suggests a strategic shift or increased focus on partnering with or directly serving D&B firms, rather than traditional client-led design consultancy. This requires a strong commercial acumen and deep understanding of the D&B procurement model and contractor ecosystem in the UK water industry.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive contractor-led market growth plan, aligning with the overarching Water UK&I Strategic Plan and contributing to AECOM's global water sector objectives.

• Identify, track, and proactively pursue new business opportunities within the water sector D&B market, working closely with Client Account Managers and business planning systems.

• Enhance AECOM Water's visibility and reputation within the contractor community through targeted internal and external communications and strategic engagement.

• Build and maintain robust, collaborative relationships with major water sector contractors and designers to facilitate the pursuit of significant and profitable opportunities.

• Oversee and manage the bid governance process for major contractor-led projects, including leading Go/No-Go decisions and providing support for smaller pursuits.

• Drive client satisfaction by actively monitoring performance, implementing improvement actions based on Net Promoter Score (NPS) feedback, and ensuring delivery excellence.

• Foster a positive and inclusive work culture by embodying AECOM's values, championing EDI initiatives, promoting employee engagement, and supporting continuous professional development.

• Collaborate with Business Unit Directors to forecast and manage medium to long-term resource requirements, actively participating in the recruitment of strategic and senior talent.

• Work cross-functionally with teams across Europe and globally to deliver integrated, multidisciplinary projects and showcase AECOM's expertise in work acquisition.

• Uphold and promote AECOM's Safety, Health & Environment (SH&E) policies and procedures, ensuring effective implementation and achievement of core SH&E metrics for the Water business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic market development, commercial execution, team leadership, and operational oversight. Key areas include proactive opportunity identification, strong partnership building with contractors, rigorous bid governance, and embedding AECOM's core values, particularly SH&E and EDI, into daily operations. The role requires a strategic thinker with a strong commercial and operational execution capability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., Civil, Environmental, Mechanical Engineering) or a related field is typically expected for senior leadership roles in this sector. Advanced degrees or professional certifications (e.g., Chartered Engineer) would be advantageous.

Experience: Extensive senior leadership experience (10+ years) within a matrixed multinational consultancy, contractor, or key water-sector supplier is required. This includes proven success in building and leading leadership teams and multidisciplinary project teams.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of the UK & Ireland water markets, including key contractors, regulatory landscape, and socio-political/economic drivers.

• Proven success in business development, work winning, and securing major frameworks and contracts within the water sector.

• Strong commercial acumen and extensive expertise in contract management and commercial negotiation.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic growth plans and market strategies.

• Experience leading and developing diverse, multidisciplinary project teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent client relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Proficiency in leading and implementing effective Health & Safety initiatives and driving a strong SH&E culture.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Design and Build (D&B) procurement models and contractor ecosystems.

• Familiarity with AECOM's global operations and service offerings.

• Strong understanding of sustainability principles and their application in water infrastructure.

• Experience in managing bids and project governance, including Go/No-Go processes.

• Fluency in additional European languages could be beneficial for cross-regional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a deep understanding of the UK water market and a strong commercial track record in winning business with D&B contractors. The mention of a "matrixed multinational consultancy" suggests experience in large, complex organizations is valued, as is the ability to lead diverse teams and drive growth through strategic planning and execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Evidence of successful market strategy development and implementation, demonstrating measurable growth in a specific sector or market segment.

• Case studies showcasing significant contributions to winning major Design and Build frameworks or projects, detailing the engagement strategy and successful outcomes.

• Examples of leadership in driving complex, multidisciplinary water infrastructure projects from pursuit through to delivery, highlighting process optimization and efficiency gains.

• Documentation demonstrating expertise in commercial management, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation within large-scale projects.

Process Documentation:

• Submission of frameworks or methodologies used for developing and executing market growth plans within the infrastructure or water sector.

• Examples of processes implemented for opportunity identification, pipeline management, and bid governance, including Go/No-Go decision-making criteria.

• Documentation related to fostering a culture of SH&E and EDI, with measurable improvements or initiatives implemented.

• Evidence of processes used for performance monitoring, client feedback integration (e.g., NPS), and continuous improvement actions.

• Examples of team development and resource management processes, including recruitment strategies for senior roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, the responsibilities and qualifications strongly imply that candidates will need to demonstrate their capabilities through detailed examples and case studies during the interview process. This should cover market strategy, business development, project delivery, commercial acumen, and leadership in a complex, matrixed environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on AECOM's position as a global leader in infrastructure consulting, the seniority of the role (Head of), sector (Water UK&I), and location (London), a competitive executive-level salary is expected. For a Head of Design & Build Director with 10+ years of senior leadership experience in the UK water sector, the salary range is estimated to be between £120,000 - £180,000 per annum, potentially higher for exceptional candidates with a proven track record in driving significant growth. This estimate considers industry benchmarks, regional cost of living in London, and the strategic importance of this role.

Benefits:

• Career Development Opportunities: Access to AECOM's extensive learning and development resources, including AECOM University.

• Flexible Hybrid Working Model: A balanced approach to work, combining office-based collaboration with remote flexibility to support work-life integration.

• Technical Practice Networks: Opportunities to engage with specialists across various disciplines within AECOM.

• Volunteering Days: Paid time off to contribute to community initiatives.

• Comprehensive Health & Well-being Programs: Designed to support employee health and lifestyle.

• Pension Scheme: Competitive retirement savings plan.

• Life Assurance: Financial protection for beneficiaries.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services.

• Share Purchase Plan: Opportunity to invest in AECOM's success.

Working Hours: AECOM typically operates on a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in scheduling, but a consistent presence and availability during core business hours are expected to facilitate team collaboration and client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry data for senior executive roles in engineering and construction consulting in London, considering the specific sector and responsibilities. AECOM's listed benefits are standard for large multinational corporations and are designed to attract and retain top talent, with a particular emphasis on professional growth and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AECOM operates within the global Infrastructure Consulting industry. Specifically, the Water business unit focuses on providing solutions for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, addressing critical environmental and public health challenges. The UK & Ireland water market is undergoing substantial investment, driven by regulatory requirements, population growth, and climate change concerns, presenting significant opportunities.

Company Size: AECOM is a global company with over 50,000 employees worldwide, placing it among the largest players in the infrastructure consulting sector. This size offers stability, extensive resources, and a broad range of project opportunities, but also necessitates navigating a large, matrixed organizational structure.

Founded: AECOM's history traces back to the early 20th century, with its current form emerging from various mergers and acquisitions. This long heritage provides a foundation of expertise and established client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Managing Director of Water UK&I, indicating a direct line into the senior leadership of the regional water business.

• Close collaboration is expected with other Business Directors, including the Director of Strategy and Growth, Commercial Director, and AECOM Europe & India leadership.

• The Head of Design & Build Director will lead a dedicated team focused on the contractor-led market segment, likely comprising business development professionals, project managers, and technical leads.

Methodology:

• Data-Led Performance Improvement: AECOM emphasizes using data to drive performance improvements, likely through analytics, KPIs, and client feedback mechanisms like NPS.

• Strategic Planning & Execution: The role requires developing and implementing strategic plans, emphasizing a structured approach to market development and opportunity pursuit.

• Collaborative Delivery: AECOM promotes a collaborative culture, working across disciplines and geographies to deliver complex projects and leverage collective expertise.

• Focus on SH&E and EDI: These are core values, integrated into all operations and decision-making processes.

Company Website: https://www.aecom.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's culture is characterized by its global reach, focus on complex infrastructure challenges, and commitment to values like SH&E and EDI. The Water business is a significant part of AECOM's operations, capitalizing on substantial global investment in water infrastructure. The "matrixed multinational consultancy" structure implies a need for strong communication, collaboration, and navigation skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position, "Head of Design & Build Director, Water UK&I," represents a senior executive leadership role. It is positioned at the director level, with significant accountability for market strategy, business growth, and P&L impact within a key sector and region. The role is integral to AECOM's strategic objectives for its Water business.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Managing Director of Water UK&I, placing the incumbent in a high-visibility position within the regional leadership team. Collaboration with other Directors and global teams is also a key aspect of the reporting structure.

Operations Impact: The Head of Design & Build Director has a direct and substantial impact on AECOM's revenue growth and market share within the UK&I water sector, specifically through the contractor-led channel. Success in this role will significantly contribute to AECOM's overall financial performance and strategic positioning as a leading infrastructure consultant.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher executive leadership roles within AECOM's Water business or other operating groups, either regionally or globally.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape AECOM's long-term strategy for the water sector and the contractor market segment.

• Broader Market Expertise: Deepen expertise across various water infrastructure sub-sectors and gain exposure to international markets and best practices.

• Mentorship and Development: Opportunity to mentor and develop future leaders within AECOM's Water business.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant career step, offering executive-level responsibility and the potential for substantial impact and advancement within a major global consultancy. The focus on a specific, high-growth market segment (D&B contractors) provides a platform to demonstrate specialized leadership and strategic execution capabilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: AECOM operates a hybrid work model. This suggests a blend of working from AECOM offices, remote locations, and potentially client sites. The primary office location is London, with specific mention of "Aldgate Tower," indicating a central London base.

Office Location(s): The primary location is London, UK (Aldgate Tower), with a secondary mention of St Albans, United Kingdom, suggesting potential office accessibility or team presence in that area as well. This offers employees access to major business hubs and transport networks.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration through planned office days, team meetings, and project-specific interactions, balancing focused work with team synergy.

• Technology & Tools: As a global consultancy, AECOM likely provides access to robust digital tools, collaboration platforms, and project management software necessary for effective hybrid work and project delivery.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with senior leadership, project teams, and cross-functional colleagues, both in person and virtually, are integral to the role.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with flexibility offered through the hybrid model. The demands of a senior leadership role may require extended hours during critical project phases or bid periods, but the hybrid arrangement aims to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key feature, offering flexibility while maintaining the need for in-person collaboration. AECOM's commitment to providing a dynamic work environment and supporting employees is evident, with emphasis on integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, and pioneering mindset.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: AECOM typically employs a multi-stage interview process for senior roles, which may include:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition conducts a preliminary review of applications and conducts an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Managing Director of Water UK&I to delve deeper into experience, leadership style, strategic vision, and alignment with the role's objectives.

• Panel Interviews: Meetings with other senior leaders (e.g., Commercial Director, other Business Directors, potentially global leads) to assess cross-functional collaboration capabilities and strategic alignment.

• Case Study or Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present on a relevant topic, such as a market strategy proposal, a major project success, or a response to a hypothetical business challenge. This assesses strategic thinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level executive or a final cultural fit assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Growth Focus: Prepare examples demonstrating your ability to identify market opportunities, develop actionable growth strategies, and achieve measurable results in the water sector or a related infrastructure field.

• Contractor Partnership Expertise: Highlight specific achievements in building and managing relationships with Design and Build contractors, showcasing your understanding of their needs and procurement models.

• Leadership & Team Management: Showcase instances where you've successfully led and developed multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing your approach to talent management, motivation, and performance improvement.

• Commercial Acumen: Be ready to discuss your experience in commercial management, contract negotiation, and securing significant frameworks and projects, quantifying the value you've delivered.

• Impact & ROI: For case studies, focus on the tangible impact of your work, including revenue growth, market share expansion, successful project delivery, and return on investment (ROI).

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate questions about your strategic vision for AECOM's contractor-led water business, how you would approach market entry or expansion, and how you would measure success.

• Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy, how you foster collaboration and inclusion, and how you manage performance within a hybrid and matrixed environment.

• Familiarize yourself with AECOM's recent projects, annual reports, and stated strategic priorities, especially within the water sector and UK&I region.

• Consider how you would address potential challenges such as market competition, regulatory changes, or resource constraints, and articulate your mitigation strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the seniority and strategic nature of this role, the interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing on strategic thinking, commercial execution, and leadership capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to provide concrete examples and data to support their claims, particularly regarding market growth and contractor engagement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools: While specific tools are not listed, senior leadership roles in consultancies like AECOM typically involve proficiency with:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint for reporting, analysis, and presentations.

• Microsoft Teams/Similar Collaboration Platforms: For day-to-day communication, virtual meetings, and team collaboration.

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): For managing client relationships, tracking opportunities, and pipeline management. AECOM likely uses a robust CRM for its sales and client management processes.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project): While not directly managing projects, understanding project lifecycle management and associated tools is beneficial for strategic oversight.

• Business Intelligence & Analytics Tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau): For data analysis, performance monitoring, and strategic decision-making.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in interpreting data from financial reports, project performance metrics, and market intelligence.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how CRM systems support business development and client engagement strategies.

• Awareness of automation possibilities within business processes to enhance efficiency, though direct implementation may not be required at this level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is less about hands-on tool usage and more about strategic understanding and leverage. The incumbent needs to be comfortable with data-driven decision-making, understanding how CRM and analytics tools support business growth and operational efficiency, and familiar with collaboration platforms used in a hybrid work environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: AECOM emphasizes a culture built on:

• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all business dealings and client interactions.

• Pioneering Mindset: Encouraging innovation, forward-thinking, and the pursuit of new solutions to complex challenges.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Fostering initiative, ownership, and a proactive approach to identifying and seizing opportunities.

• Collaboration: Working together across disciplines, geographies, and teams to achieve shared goals.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Committing to creating a workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique talents.

• Safety, Health & Environment (SH&E): Prioritizing the well-being of employees, communities, and the environment in all operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires extensive collaboration with various internal departments (Commercial, Strategy, Project Delivery, Global Teams) and external partners (contractors, designers).

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback and continuous improvement of processes, particularly in business development, bidding, and project delivery.

• Knowledge Sharing: AECOM promotes sharing best practices and lessons learned across its global network to enhance collective expertise and drive innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: AECOM's culture is geared towards a global, collaborative, and values-driven organization. For this role, embodying these values, particularly in driving growth, fostering inclusion, and ensuring safety, will be crucial for success and alignment with the company's ethos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Matrixed Organization: Effectively influencing and collaborating across multiple business units, geographies, and leadership levels within AECOM to drive the contractor-led strategy.

• Intense Market Competition: The UK water sector is highly competitive; differentiating AECOM's Design and Build offering and securing significant contracts requires a robust strategy and execution.

• Resource Management: Balancing demand for specialized resources with availability, particularly for senior technical and project management roles, within a growing business.

• Adapting to Evolving Regulations & Technologies: Staying ahead of changes in water management, environmental regulations, and digital technologies to maintain AECOM's competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Opportunities to refine executive leadership skills, strategic planning capabilities, and P&L management within a major global company.

• Industry Insight: Gaining deeper expertise in the UK&I water sector's evolving landscape, including regulatory reforms, investment cycles, and technological advancements.

• Global Network Exposure: Connecting with and learning from AECOM leaders and technical experts worldwide, broadening perspective and potential future opportunities.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior executives or to mentor emerging leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges inherent in leading a strategic growth initiative within a large, complex organization and a competitive market. However, these challenges are balanced by substantial opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and making a tangible impact on AECOM's future in the critical water infrastructure sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your vision for growing AECOM's Design and Build contractor business in the UK&I water sector over the next 3-5 years. What are the key strategic pillars?"

• "How would you approach building and strengthening partnerships with major water sector contractors? Can you provide examples of successful contractor relationship management?"

• "What are the critical success factors for winning major Design and Build frameworks in the current UK water market, and how would you ensure AECOM capitalizes on them?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see AECOM's values (Integrity, Pioneering Mindset, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Collaboration, EDI, SH&E) influencing your leadership approach in this role?"

• "Describe your experience working within a matrixed multinational organization. What strategies do you employ to achieve objectives and influence stakeholders across different business units?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Impact: When presenting case studies, focus on quantifiable achievements: revenue growth percentages, contract values secured, market share gains, efficiency improvements (e.g., time/cost savings on projects), and NPS score improvements.

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your presentation around a clear strategic narrative: identify the challenge/opportunity, outline your strategy, detail your actions, and showcase the measurable results.

• Contractor Focus: Ensure your examples clearly demonstrate your understanding of and success in working with Design and Build contractors. Highlight how you've understood their needs and collaboratively delivered value.

• Leadership Demonstration: Use examples to illustrate your leadership style, team development approach, and ability to drive performance and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, commercial acumen, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of the UK water sector and D&B market. Candidates should be ready to articulate their past successes using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) with a strong emphasis on quantifiable outcomes and strategic insights.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the AECOM careers portal via the provided job link.

• Resume/CV Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight extensive senior leadership experience in the water sector, specifically focusing on business development, contractor engagement, commercial management, and strategic growth initiatives. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Design & Build," "Water UK&I," "contractor-led market," "frameworks," "commercial management," and "strategic planning." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Portfolio Preparation: Compile a concise portfolio or prepare detailed talking points that showcase your experience in market strategy development, work winning with contractors, leading multidisciplinary teams, and driving significant business growth. Be ready to discuss specific examples and their impact.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research AECOM's Water business, recent projects, and strategic priorities. Prepare to answer strategy-focused questions, discuss your leadership philosophy, and articulate how you would drive success in this role. Practice presenting your key achievements and case studies.

• Networking (Optional but Recommended): If you have connections at AECOM, consider reaching out to them for insights into the company culture and the specific team dynamics.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.