Technical Director of Architecture; Nuclear Facilities

Technical Director of Architecture (Nuclear Facilities)

AECOM, Manchester, United Kingdom

As a Technical Director, you will coordinate and lead the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary projects in the Nuclear Sector (Civil and/or Defence). You’ll also collaborate across AECOM’s UK network and support strategic growth, work-winning, project delivery, client engagement, and the highest standards of design.

• Design Leadership:
  Drive progressive, innovative design solutions aligned with client goals and AECOM’s design excellence ethos.
• Provide expert input at early design stages and maintain leadership throughout project life cycles.
• Ensure Safety in Design principles are embedded across all stages.
• Oversee materials selection, building systems, and the production of specifications.

• Team & Technical Management:
  Lead and mentor a high-performing architectural team within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and full coordination of design documentation.
• Foster a collaborative, creative team culture with strong morale and professional development.
• Champion the use of digital technologies and cutting-edge workflows to improve design outcomes and productivity.

• Project & Operational Oversight:
  Organise and manage project timelines, resources, and budgets.
• Forecast and allocate resources effectively to meet project and business needs.
• Contribute to and implement AECOM’s Technical Excellence and CPD initiatives.

• Client Engagement & Commercial:
  Build strong client relationships and act as a key liaison with contractors, stakeholders, and government bodies.
• Support bid preparation, business development, and thought leadership (e.g., conferences, industry events).
• Ensure commercial performance, including NEC contract administration if required and designing to budget.

• Demonstrable leadership in architectural delivery within Nuclear Sector (Civil and/or Defence) and/ or other highly regulated industry.
• Proven experience delivering infrastructure projects within a multi-disciplinary consultancy.
• Skilled in design management, stakeholder negotiation, and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
• Confident decision-maker with a strong understanding of project life cycles and risk management.
• Ability to lead teams through complex challenges with foresight and technical acumen.

• Experience of delivering solutions to Nuclear Safety Case requirements
• Ability and experience of working in a number of different delivery models with respect to complex projects and multi-disciplinary teams, including with/ to Design and Build contractors.
• Proven track record of client management

Essential

Qualifications:

• Full registration as an Architect with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) is mandatory for this position.
• Possession of a relevant degree or professional qualification in Architecture from an accredited institution is required.

The successful candidate must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional practice in the field of architecture, particularly within the context of nuclear facilities. The nature of this role demands a thorough understanding of architectural principles and their application in highly regulated environments.

Given the critical nature of our projects, we place significant emphasis on these qualifications to ensure the delivery of safe, innovative, and compliant architectural solutions for our nuclear sector clients.

• You will be required to either already have SC clearance or the ability to obtain security clearance in the UK

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of…