Aecom
Trusted global infrastructure consulting firm delivering engineering, design, construction management services.
Associate Director, Planning Policy
Lead planning policy projects, mentor team, and drive business growth for AECOM.
Job Highlights
About the Role
The company is expanding its planning policy practice and seeks an Associate Director to lead and grow the town‑planning team, reporting to senior leadership and handling an increasing workload of policy and strategy projects. The Associate Director will lead key planning policy projects, mentor junior staff, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and engage directly with clients, local authorities and stakeholders to achieve planning outcomes. Additional duties include ensuring projects are delivered on budget and schedule, overseeing quality and health‑and‑safety standards, representing AECOM at conferences, and contributing to business development by nurturing relationships and preparing tenders. • Lead and manage key planning policy and strategy projects, including local plans, evidence studies and infrastructure strategies. • Provide line management, mentorship and development for junior planning team members. • Deliver strategic planning advice to internal and external clients and represent AECOM at conferences and networking events. • Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless project execution and on‑time, on‑budget delivery. • Oversee quality assurance, health and safety compliance, and the production of planning deliverables. • Drive business development by nurturing client relationships and leading the preparation of commercial tenders. • Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, with existing contacts in local authorities. • Produce high‑quality technical reports and communicate findings effectively.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸policy projects
- ▸technical reports
- ▸quality assurance
- ▸team coordination
- ▸client advisory
- ▸business development
What You Bring
The role can be based in any of several UK offices (London Aldgate, Basingstoke, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Plymouth) with hybrid working, and can be full‑time or part‑time to suit the candidate’s circumstances. • Demonstrate significant experience in planning policy and strategy development within consultancy or public sector roles. • Exhibit a business‑development mindset with proven success in winning work and expanding client bases. • Hold a degree in Town Planning or related discipline and be a member of RTPI or equivalent professional body.
Requirements
- ▸planning
- ▸strategy
- ▸business development
- ▸town planning
- ▸rtpi
- ▸hybrid
Benefits
The company offers career progression, a supportive learning culture, flexible hybrid work, competitive compensation and well‑being programs, and is committed to diversity, inclusion and disability confidence.
Work Environment
Hybrid