📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Growth & Business Development, Water - UK&I
🔹 Company: AECOM
🔹 Location: London, UK (with flexibility for Bristol, UK)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Civil Engineering, Water Industry
🔹 Date Posted: July 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic growth leadership across AECOM's Water business in the UK and Ireland
- Business development and sales, driving new business opportunities and expanding the client base
- Market intelligence and positioning, conducting analysis to refine propositions and identify new revenue streams
- Cross-functional collaboration and bid development, working closely with marketing, sector leads, and other teams
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of the water market to drive growth and success for AECOM's Water business.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the UK&I Water Business and collaborate with other business lines and sector leads on key pursuits and growth initiatives
✅ Define and execute a growth strategy aligned with corporate goals, while monitoring market trends, policy shifts, and emerging opportunities to guide investment and innovation
✅ Drive new business opportunities and expand the client base through engagement with public and private sectors, partnerships, and networking
✅ Lead major bids, proposals, and commercial negotiations, ensuring strong win rates and profitability
✅ Represent AECOM at industry forums and manage joint ventures and framework agreements
✅ Conduct market and competitive analysis to refine propositions and identify new revenue streams
✅ Position AECOM as a thought leader in water resilience, digital water, ESG, and infrastructure innovation
✅ Foster internal relationships that promote a culture of success and coordinate pipeline analysis and bid management to meet business plan targets
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of external engagement, requiring excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to drive strategic growth and business development.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Business, or related discipline). A Master's degree would be an asset.
Experience: Extensive experience (10+ years) in business development, growth strategy, or commercial leadership within the water sector, with a proven record in revenue generation, deal structuring, and leading complex bids.
Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of the water market, including regulatory frameworks, infrastructure cycles (AMP), and digital transformation
- Well-established network in water utilities, infrastructure, or technology sectors
- Experience with public sector procurement and framework agreements
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
- Proven ability to drive strategic plans and work across multidisciplinary teams
- Solid understanding of ESG principles in a water context
- Awareness of industry trends in Europe and India
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a global organization
- Fluency in additional languages relevant to the water industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong commercial acumen, strategic mindset, and a deep understanding of the water market to excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £80,000 - £120,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the water sector in the UK)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health insurance, pension, and flexible benefits
- Hybrid work arrangement with flexible working hours
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth within a global organization
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid working
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the water sector in the UK. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Civil Engineering, focusing on water infrastructure and services
Company Size: AECOM is a large, global organization with over 65,000 employees worldwide, providing a wealth of opportunities for career growth and development
Founded: AECOM was founded in 1990 and has since grown to become a leading global provider of professional technical and management support services
Company Description:
- AECOM is the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle
- The Water Business prides itself on developing innovative techniques to improve the delivery, efficiency, and sustainable outcomes of projects
- AECOM is committed to delivering a better world through its unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social, and governance priorities
Company Specialties:
- Cities
- Commercial & Residential
- Education
- Governments
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Leisure & Hospitality
- Oil, Gas & Chemicals
- Power
- Sports & Venues
- Transportation
- and Water
Company Website: www.aecom.com
ASSUMPTION: AECOM's global presence and diverse portfolio of services provide candidates with numerous opportunities to grow and develop their careers within the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to the Water Business Line Lead
Reporting Structure: This role will have direct reports, including Client Account Managers and Framework Managers, and will collaborate with other business lines and sector leads
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work, allowing for flexibility and a better work-life balance
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior role within AECOM's Water Business or other business lines
- Expanding responsibilities and influence within the UK&I Water Business
- International assignments or secondments within AECOM's global network
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential within a large, global organization, allowing candidates to develop their skills and advance their careers.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: AECOM's London office is located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
Office Location(s): London, UK (with flexibility for Bristol, UK)
Geographic Context:
- London is a major global hub for the water industry, with numerous opportunities for networking and business development
- Bristol is a thriving city with a growing water sector, offering a more relaxed pace of life compared to London
- Both locations provide easy access to AECOM's global network and opportunities for international assignments
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid working
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexibility for working in either London or Bristol allow candidates to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with the Water Business Line Lead
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Commercial acumen and strategic thinking
- Water market knowledge and industry trends
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with AECOM's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the water market and AECOM's business by conducting thorough research
- Prepare examples of your past achievements in business development, growth strategy, and commercial leadership
- Be ready to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your plans
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Growth Strategy, Commercial Leadership, Water Market, Regulatory Frameworks, Infrastructure Cycles, Digital Transformation, Public Sector Procurement, Hybrid Work, London, Bristol
ASSUMPTION: AECOM's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the candidate and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they enable effective communication, collaboration, and project management.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety
- Quality
- Integrity
- Innovation
- One AECOM
- Respect
- Excellence
- Stewardship
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Results-driven and focused on delivering exceptional client service
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with AECOM's company values?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work?
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment, and are you able to adapt to change?
ASSUMPTION: AECOM's culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service, making it an attractive workplace for candidates who share these values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse portfolio of clients and projects, each with unique requirements and priorities
- Navigating the complex and evolving water market, including regulatory changes and emerging technologies
- Balancing the demands of business development, growth strategy, and commercial leadership with day-to-day operational responsibilities
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining effective communication and collaboration with team members
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on driving strategic growth and business development within AECOM's Water Business in the UK and Ireland
- Compared to other business development roles in the water industry, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities and the opportunity to shape the organization's long-term success
- Career progression in this role may lead to more senior leadership positions within AECOM's Water Business or other business lines
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive strategic growth and business development within a large, global organization, with significant potential for career advancement.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive growth strategy for AECOM's Water Business in the UK and Ireland, including market analysis, target client identification, and proposition development
- Leading a major bid for a large-scale water infrastructure project, involving cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and commercial negotiation
- Spearheading a thought leadership campaign to position AECOM as an industry leader in water resilience, digital water, ESG, and infrastructure innovation
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, cross-functional, and collaborative nature of the Director of Growth & Business Development role within AECOM's Water Business.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into AECOM's long-term growth strategy for its Water Business in the UK and Ireland?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I make the most significant impact?
- How does AECOM support the professional development and career growth of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What are the key challenges facing the water industry in the UK and Ireland, and how can this role address them?
- How does AECOM foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and what role does this position play in driving that culture?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to driving AECOM's success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the linked job posting
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, demonstrating your understanding of the water market and AECOM's business
- Prepare examples of your past achievements in business development, growth strategy, and commercial leadership, and be ready to discuss them during the interview
- Research AECOM's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them
- Follow up with the recruiter on LinkedIn one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
