Location
Exeter (with flexibility to work from 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 role involves building and managing a high-quality network of specialist delivery partners and creating 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 ensure delivery of planning, Development Consent Order (DCO), and environmental consent commitments during construction. Acting as a senior technical authority and lead verifier, you will oversee environmental compliance activities, quality assurance, and supply chain development. This is an opportunity to shape a strategically important service area within AECOM’s Environment Business Line, working alongside specialists in ecology, environmental assessment, nature-based solutions, arboriculture, archaeology, and environmental management. Enjoy a collaborative culture, technical excellence, and a commitment to innovation that supports career development and industry leadership.

About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. We offer hybrid working options, career development opportunities, and a wide array of compensation, benefits, and well-being programs designed to support your future and work-life balance.

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/or 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 the ability to act as a technical lead and quality reviewer for ECoW services. You are motivated to grow a nationally significant environmental compliance service and enjoy working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. You demonstrate strong 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. We welcome applications from candidates with transferable skills who meet some of the requirements and are eager to contribute to our growing service area.