📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Growth & Business Development, Water - UK&I
🔹 Company: AECOM
🔹 Location: London, Leeds
🔹 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:
- Supporting the growth of AECOM’s Water business across the UK and Ireland
- Identifying new market opportunities and nurturing strategic partnerships
- Coordinating end-market work-winning activities and ensuring effective positioning
- Driving new business opportunities and expanding the client base
- Leading major bids, proposals, and commercial negotiations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of the water market and its regulatory frameworks.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Supporting the growth of AECOM’s Water business across the UK and Ireland
✅ Identifying new market opportunities and nurturing strategic partnerships
✅ Coordinating end-market work-winning activities and ensuring effective positioning through branding, marketing, and bidding efforts
✅ Driving new business opportunities and expanding the client base through engagement with public and private sectors, partnerships, and networking
✅ Leading major bids, proposals, and commercial negotiations, ensuring strong win rates and profitability
✅ Representing AECOM at industry forums and managing joint ventures and framework agreements
✅ Conducting market and competitive analysis to refine propositions and identify new revenue streams
✅ Positioning AECOM as a thought leader in water resilience, digital water, ESG, and infrastructure innovation
✅ Working closely with marketing, and sector leads to align client solutions with capabilities and market directions
✅ Fostering internal relationships that promote a culture of success
✅ Coordinating pipeline analysis and bid management to meet business plan targets
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of external engagement, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Business, or a related discipline)
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 and collaboration 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:
- Master's degree in a relevant field
- Experience working in a global organization
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in business development within the water sector are most likely to succeed in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £80,000 - £120,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for a role of this level and location)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Employee referral program
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and location. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Civil Engineering, with a focus on water infrastructure and services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees, providing ample opportunities for career growth and development
Founded: 1990, with a rich history and extensive experience in delivering infrastructure projects worldwide
Company Description:
- AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world
- As a trusted professional services firm, AECOM solves clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings
- AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024
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 experience and global presence provide a strong foundation for growth and innovation in the water sector.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Water Business Line Lead
Reporting Structure: This role will have direct reports, including Client Account Managers and Framework Managers
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope and influence as the Water business grows
- Opportunities to work on high-profile, complex projects with significant impact
- Possibility to progress into a more senior leadership role within AECOM
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of the Water business and the candidate's career development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): London, Leeds
Geographic Context:
- London: A major global city with a vibrant business ecosystem and excellent connectivity
- Leeds: A thriving city with a strong economy and a growing tech scene
Work Schedule: Flexible, with a focus on results and outcomes rather than hours worked
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible work schedule provide a good work-life balance while still enabling collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR team
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and potential team members
- Final interview with the Water Business Line Lead
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Understanding of the water market and regulatory frameworks
- Ability to drive growth and lead complex bids
- Alignment with AECOM's values and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of successful business development strategies and bids you've led
- Research AECOM's Water business and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its growth
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Growth Strategy, Water Market, Regulatory Frameworks, Infrastructure Cycles, Digital Transformation, Public Sector Procurement, Commercial Leadership, Revenue Generation, Deal Structuring, Bids Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and understanding of the water market.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant software and tools is essential for effective communication, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety
- Quality
- Integrity
- Innovation
- One AECOM
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody AECOM's values in your work?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong client relationships?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and market developments?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with AECOM's values and a collaborative work style are most likely to thrive in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse portfolio of clients and projects
- Navigating complex regulatory frameworks and market dynamics
- Balancing short-term business needs with long-term strategic goals
- Adapting to changes in the water sector and AECOM's business priorities
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other business development roles, this position has a stronger focus on strategic growth and market positioning within the water sector
- Industry-specific context: The water sector is characterized by long-term infrastructure cycles, regulatory frameworks, and digital transformation
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities to progress into more senior leadership positions within AECOM's Water business
ASSUMPTION: Understanding the unique aspects of this role and the water sector is crucial for successful application and onboarding.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic growth plan for AECOM's Water business in the UK and Ireland
- Leading a complex bid for a major water infrastructure project, involving multiple stakeholders and partners
- Conducting market analysis and competitive landscaping to inform AECOM's water market strategy
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and complex nature of the role's responsibilities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the top priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does this role fit into AECOM's long-term growth strategy for the Water business?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Water business in the UK and Ireland, and how can this role address them?
- How does AECOM support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexible work arrangements?
ASSUMPTION: Asking insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you make an informed decision about your career.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills, using the ATS keywords provided
- Prepare examples of successful business development strategies and bids you've led
- Research AECOM's Water business and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its growth
- Follow up with the recruiter on LinkedIn one week after submission, inquiring about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
