Location
Manchester (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 & Ireland. This nationally significant role involves building and managing a high-quality network of specialist delivery partners to create a scalable environmental compliance business supporting some of the UK's largest infrastructure projects. You will act as a senior technical authority and lead verifier for environmental compliance activities, working closely with contractors, developers, and project teams to ensure delivery of planning, Development Consent Order (DCO), and environmental consent commitments during construction. Key responsibilities include leading AECOM's UK&I ECoW and EnvCoW services, quality assurance, supply chain development, and supporting growth of related Clerk of Works services such as arboriculture and archaeology through integrated environmental compliance solutions. Become part of an industry-leading Environment Business Line, collaborating with specialists in ecology, environmental assessment, nature-based solutions, and environmental management. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a strategically important service area and contribute to major infrastructure and DCO programmes across the UK.

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
You are a credible technical lead with a strong ecological background, able to act as a senior authority 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 a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes on complex infrastructure projects.

Qualifications
- Membership of CIEEM or an equivalent professional body, preferably chartered or working towards chartership
- Commitment to professional development and continuous learning
- A positive attitude towards diversity and inclusion, with a willingness to contribute to an equitable workplace