Location
Liverpool (Hybrid working model with options to work from office, remote location or client site)

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary and benefits package

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as an Associate Director and take the lead on major ecology 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 teams to deliver high-profile infrastructure projects in sectors including energy, water, renewables, defence, and transport. Your role will involve acting as ecology lead for major projects such as Development Consent Orders (DCO), providing technical advice, supporting project bidding and delivery, and liaising with internal teams on scheduling and budgets. You will also act as Lead Verifier/Approver for technical ecology deliverables, mentor ecology team members, and represent AECOM at client meetings, site visits, and stakeholder discussions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful projects while working within a supportive and inclusive environment that values innovation, professional development, and work-life balance.

About AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle. With over 50,000 professionals worldwide, we are committed to creating sustainable legacies and solving complex challenges. Our Nature business includes around 150 experts across the UK and Ireland, specializing in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, and management. We offer a flexible hybrid working model, career development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and future growth.

Experience
- Demonstrable experience in planning and delivery of ecological services on projects in the UK or Ireland
- Experience working on DCO schemes, including examination phases, is highly desirable
- Proven ability to lead ecology input on major infrastructure projects and manage client relationships

About you
- Confident and proactive ecology lead with strong problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and mentoring abilities to support and develop team members
- Commitment to innovation, continuous professional development, and health and safety practices
- Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple stakeholders

Qualifications
- Membership of an appropriate professional institution (e.g., CIEEM) with evidence of working towards Chartership
- Well-developed understanding of relevant UK and Ireland wildlife legislation and planning regimes
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and supporting a diverse workforce