📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Growth & Business Development, Water - UK&I
🔹 Company: AECOM
🔹 Location: London, England, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Civil Engineering
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-18
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic growth leadership across AECOM’s UK&I Water Business
- Business development and sales, driving new business opportunities and expanding the client base
- Market intelligence and positioning, conducting market analysis and positioning AECOM as a thought leader
- Cross-functional collaboration and bid development, working with marketing, sector leads, and internal teams to meet business plan targets
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and excellent communication skills to succeed in driving growth and business development within 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
✅ 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
✅ Work closely with marketing, sector leads, and internal teams to align client solutions with capabilities and market directions
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high degree of external engagement, requiring strong networking and relationship-building skills to succeed in driving growth and business development.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Civil Engineering, Business, or related discipline) or equivalent experience
Experience: Extensive experience (10+ years) in business development, growth strategy, or commercial leadership within the water sector
Required Skills:
- Proven record in revenue generation, deal structuring, and leading complex bids
- 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 strategic planning skills
- Solid understanding of ESG principles in a water context
- Awareness of industry trends in Europe and India
Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree in a relevant field
- Experience working in a global organization
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: While a Master's degree is not explicitly required, it may be beneficial for candidates seeking to advance their careers in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £80,000 - £120,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the UK water sector with 10+ years of experience)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Generous time off and flexible work arrangements
- Employee discounts and perks
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in the UK water sector with 10+ years of experience. Actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Civil Engineering, focusing on infrastructure development and management
Company Size: 10,001+ employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and internal mobility
Founded: 1990, with a rich history and extensive experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects worldwide
Company Description:
- AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world
- Provides professional services throughout the project lifecycle, from advisory and planning to design, engineering, and construction management
- Works with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions in water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings
Company Specialties:
- Cities
- Commercial & Residential
- Education
- Governments
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Leisure & Hospitality
- Oil, Gas & Chemicals
- Power
- Sports & Venues
- Transportation
- and Water
Company Website: http://www.aecom.com
ASSUMPTION: AECOM's extensive global presence and diverse project portfolio offer unique opportunities for candidates seeking to work on high-impact infrastructure projects worldwide.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting directly to the Water Business Line Lead
Reporting Structure: The role will oversee Client Account Managers and Framework Managers, collaborating with regional growth and strategy teams, subject matter experts, and client account leads
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope and influence based on successful performance
- Opportunities to work on high-profile, complex projects across diverse sectors
- Access to professional development and training programs to support career advancement
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have the opportunity to grow within AECOM, taking on increased responsibilities and leading larger teams as they progress in their careers.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements)
Geographic Context:
- London is a major global city with a thriving economy and diverse cultural scene
- The city is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to commute to and from work
- London offers a wide range of housing options, from urban apartments to suburban family homes
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements (e.g., two to three days per week in the office)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers candidates the best of both worlds, allowing them to balance the benefits of working from home with the advantages of in-person collaboration and networking.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR team to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with the Water Business Line Lead or another senior leader
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Market knowledge and industry trends
- Proven track record in business development and growth strategy
- Cultural fit and alignment with AECOM's values and mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the water sector and AECOM's business by conducting thorough research and incorporating relevant insights into your application materials
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process to showcase your interest in the role and AECOM's mission
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Growth Strategy, Commercial Leadership, Water Market, Regulatory Frameworks, Infrastructure Cycles, Digital Transformation, Public Sector Procurement, Thought Leadership, Strategic Planning, ESG Principles
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should focus on demonstrating their strategic thinking, business acumen, and market knowledge throughout the interview process to showcase their fit for this role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Industry-specific software and platforms (e.g., water utility management systems, infrastructure design tools)
ASSUMPTION: While specific tools and technologies may vary based on the projects and clients the successful candidate works with, a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety
- Quality
- Integrity
- Innovation
- One AECOM
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive team environment
- Focus on continuous learning and professional development
- Results-driven and solution-oriented approach
- Strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with AECOM's core values, particularly 'One AECOM' and 'Innovation'?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid work environment, balancing remote work with in-person collaboration?
- What is your preferred work style, and how does it fit with AECOM's collaborative and inclusive team culture?
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with AECOM's values and work style, showcasing their ability to thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and results-driven environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse portfolio of clients and projects, each with unique requirements and priorities
- Navigating complex regulatory frameworks and market dynamics within the water sector
- Balancing short-term business development priorities with long-term strategic growth initiatives
- Adapting to evolving market trends and emerging technologies in the water sector
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will possess strong strategic thinking, adaptability, and resilience to overcome these challenges and drive growth within AECOM's Water Business.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other business development positions in AECOM's other business lines, as it focuses specifically on the water sector and its unique market dynamics and regulatory frameworks
- Compared to industry peers, AECOM offers a more comprehensive range of services and a global presence, providing unique opportunities for candidates seeking to work on large-scale, complex infrastructure projects
- Career progression in this role may involve transitioning to other business lines or taking on increased responsibilities within the Water Business, depending on individual goals and organizational needs
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider the unique aspects of this role and AECOM's business when evaluating their fit and potential career growth opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic growth plan for AECOM's UK&I Water Business, targeting high-potential market segments and clients
- Leading a major bid for a large-scale water infrastructure project, coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders to deliver a successful outcome
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the water sector, informing AECOM's strategic positioning and service offerings
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and innovative nature of the work required for this role, showcasing the impact the successful candidate can make on AECOM's Water Business.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the top priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I best support the Water Business Line's growth objectives?
- How does this role collaborate with other business lines and sector leads within AECOM, and what opportunities exist for cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the water sector in the UK and Ireland, and how can this role contribute to AECOM's thought leadership and innovative solutions in this space?
- What are the key growth initiatives planned for AECOM's Water Business in the next 1-3 years, and how can this role support their successful execution?
- How does AECOM support the professional development and career growth of its employees, particularly those in business development and growth strategy roles?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview process to gain insights into AECOM's strategic priorities, growth initiatives, and career development opportunities, ensuring a strong fit with their personal and professional goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your strategic thinking, business acumen, and market knowledge
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process, showcasing your interest in the role and AECOM's mission
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your approach to business development, growth strategy, and market analysis, as well as your understanding of the water sector and AECOM's business
- Follow up with the recruiter after your interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
