Location
Cardiff (with flexibility for other UK office locations including Basingstoke, Cambridge, and Leeds)

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as an Associate Director - Environmental and Ecological Compliance Lead, providing technical leadership for Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) and Environmental Clerk of Works (EnvCoW) services across the UK and Ireland. This role involves building and managing a high-quality network of specialist delivery partners and developing a scalable environmental compliance business to support some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects. You will work closely with contractors, developers, and project teams to help clients deliver planning, Development Consent Order (DCO), and environmental consent commitments during construction. Acting as a senior technical authority and lead verifier, you will ensure environmental compliance activities meet the highest standards. Responsibilities include leading ECoW and EnvCoW services, quality assurance, supply chain strategy development, and supporting the growth of secondary consents and wider Clerk of Works services such as arboriculture and archaeology. Become part of AECOM’s industry-leading Environment Business Line, working alongside specialists in ecology, environmental assessment, nature-based solutions, and environmental management. This role offers an exceptional platform for career development, technical excellence, and industry leadership within a collaborative and innovative culture.

Experience
- Delivering Environmental and/or Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services on major infrastructure, utilities, or development projects
- Strong understanding of construction-phase ecological and environmental compliance requirements
- Working directly with contractors and construction delivery teams
- Knowledge of environmental and ecological secondary consents including planning conditions, Development Consent Orders (DCOs), environmental permits, and protected species licensing
- Reviewing, assuring, and approving environmental compliance deliverables
- Managing subcontractors, suppliers, or specialist delivery partners
- Supporting business development, client engagement, and work winning activities with strong commercial awareness

About you
Credible ecological professional with a strong technical background able to act as a lead and quality reviewer for ECoW services. You are motivated to grow a nationally significant environmental compliance service and thrive in a collaborative, innovative environment. You have excellent leadership skills and the ability to build and manage effective supply chains. You value diversity and inclusion and are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes for clients and communities.

Qualifications
Membership of CIEEM or an equivalent professional body, preferably chartered or working towards chartership.