Remote Associate Director - Town Planning

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be h accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Due to significant infrastructure planning wins and new opportunities, we are looking to bring in an Associate Director to our Manchester office to manage and grow our planning consents team and offer in the North West.

Here’s what you’ll do:

You will be joining a market leading, experienced infrastructure planning team and will, be given the following responsibilities.

We are looking for a leader with proven experience in planning consents and project management. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal and mentoring skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality work and driving business growth.

Team Leadership and Development

• Manage and grow our planning consents service in the North West.
• Provide line management and mentorship to junior team members

Planning Strategy and Expertise

• Lead major development applications, including the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
• Offer strategic planning advice to both clients and internal teams.

Project Management

• Ensure projects are delivered successfully on budget and within programme timelines.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for seamless project execution.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Oversee the deliverables produced by the planning consents team.
• Implement and uphold quality assurance and health and safety principles.

Business Development

• Contribute to the business development strategy, nurturing client relationships.
• Lead the preparation of commercial tenders to secure new opportunities.

Does this sound like something you can do, and do well? If so, read on…

About our team

AECOM’s rapidly growing Town Planning team plays a key role in delivering major infrastructure and development projects.

AECOM is a top ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. AECOM is also a worldwide leader in environmental and engineering consultancy and working as a planning consultant within AECOM means access to some of the highest profile and prestigious development projects in the UK, working with colleagues operating at the cutting edge of their disciplines as part of the largest UK environmental consultancy.

Become part of our Environment business, and collaborate with top-tier planners, impact assessment specialists and project managers to consent a variety of captivating projects, from local developments to major and national infrastructure, from developing planning strategies to obtaining consent and post consent work. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

Come grow with us.

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Significant relevant experience of leading applications for planning consent for large infrastructure projects across a range of consenting regimes.
• Client focus, with good interpersonal skills and collaborative working approach.
• Existing relationships with clients and local authorities in the North West would be advantageous.
• Expert witness experience would be advantageous.
• High level of commitment to quality.
• A business development mindset, with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing…