Location
Liverpool (Hybrid working model with options to work from other UK&I offices including Manchester, Leeds, Basingstoke, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cambridge, Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool; other UK locations may be considered)

Hours
Full Time - Standard working hours with flexible hybrid working arrangements

Salary
Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your future and well-being

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as an Associate Director and take the lead on major ecological projects across the UK and Ireland. You will be responsible for planning, managing, reporting, and defending technical ecology outputs to clients, project teams, and stakeholders through relevant planning regimes. Working closely with a full ecology team, you will select and coordinate appropriate specialists to deliver high-profile infrastructure projects in sectors such as energy, water, renewables, defence, and transport. Your role will include acting as ecology lead on major projects (including Development Consent Order schemes), providing technical advice, supporting project bidding and delivery, liaising with internal teams on scheduling and budgets, and mentoring junior ecologists. You will be the main client contact, representing AECOM at meetings, site visits, and stakeholder discussions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful projects that uplift communities and enhance the environment while working within a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking organisation. At AECOM, you will benefit from career development opportunities, technical practice networks, AECOM University, volunteering days, and a flexible hybrid working model designed to support your work-life balance.

Experience
- Demonstrable experience in planning and delivering ecological services on projects within the UK or Ireland
- Experience acting as ecology lead on major projects, ideally including Development Consent Order (DCO) schemes and examination processes
- Proven ability to manage project deliverables, budgets, and client relationships
- Experience mentoring and supporting ecology team members

About you
- Confident and proactive with strong leadership and communication skills
- Committed to innovation, continuous professional development, and a proactive approach to Health and Safety
- Able to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and engage effectively with clients and stakeholders
- Enthusiastic about contributing to an inclusive and diverse workplace culture

Qualifications
- Membership of an appropriate professional institution (e.g., CIEEM) with evidence of working towards Chartered status
- Well-developed understanding of relevant wildlife legislation and ecological best practice
- Commitment to ongoing professional growth and mentoring others within the ecology team