Head of Design & Build, Water UK&I in London

We are seeking an experienced leader to drive the growth of our work with Design and Build contractors in the Water sector. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Water UK&I leadership team and take overall accountability for expanding this key market. As the Head of Design & Build Director, you will hold full accountability for driving growth and market strategy in the contractor-led space. Your leadership, commercial insight, and deep sector knowledge will directly support our commitment to delivering a better world.

The water sector is entering a period of multi-billion-pound investment, and this role will place you at the centre of delivering solutions to contractors shaping that future. Our water business (circa 600 people) partners with clients to deliver sustainable solutions across water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, designing assets that protect public health and enhance the environment. Working collaboratively, our multidisciplinary teams apply technical expertise to engineer innovative solutions that deliver resilient potable and industrial water supplies, effective wastewater treatment, and sustainable stormwater and flood management.

About You: You are a highly motivated, organised, and proactive leader with a proven track record in leading and growing water businesses, business development, bidding and delivering major projects and strategy implementation. Your in-depth understanding of the UK Water market and contractors operating within it, coupled with your grasp of the social, political, and economic drivers that influence it, will be integral to our success. With extensive experience in leading diverse teams in a fast-paced environment, you have excelled in planning, designing, and delivering projects while implementing data-led performance improvements. As a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion, you believe in creating a workplace that embraces and celebrates the unique talents and backgrounds of every individual.

Key Responsibilities

• Report directly to the Managing Director of Water and collaborate closely with Business Directors, including the Water UK Director of Strategy and Growth, Commercial Director, AECOM Europe & India leadership, and Global Water and Contractor Market teams.
• Lead the development and implementation of a contractor-led market growth plan aligned with the Water UK&I Strategic Plan.
• Work with Client Account Managers to identify, monitor, and track new opportunities, ensuring proactive positioning and timely entry into business planning systems.
• Increase visibility of AECOM Water’s contractor-led capability and communicate market strategy through clear and effective internal and external messaging.
• Build strong partnerships with contractors and designers to enable targeted pursuit of high-value opportunities.
• Drive exceptional client satisfaction through active engagement, performance monitoring, and improvement actions informed by Net Promoter Score feedback.
• Foster a culture where AECOM is recognised as a great place to work by exemplifying AECOM’s values, championing EDI, and promoting employee engagement and continuous development.
• Work with Business Unit Directors to determine medium and long-term resource needs, leading recruitment for strategic and senior roles.
• Collaborate with teams across Europe and globally to deliver multidisciplinary projects and programmes, showcasing AECOM’s strengths in work winning.
• Hold accountability for major contractor-led projects and programmes through bid governance and the Go/No-Go process, while supporting governance for smaller pursuits.
• Lead by example in driving SH&E culture, ensuring effective implementation of AECOM SH&E policies and procedures and achieving core SH&E metrics for the Water business.

Enjoy the Perks At AECOM, you’ll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within a matrixed multinational consultancy, contractor, or key water-sector supplier.
• Proven success in building and leading leadership teams and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong knowledge of the UK & Ireland water markets, key contractors, and wider European socio-political and economic drivers.
• Demonstrated ability to provide growth-focused leadership, including talent development and coaching.
• Extensive commercial and contract management expertise.
• Track record of securing major frameworks, winning new opportunities, and growing existing contracts.
• Strong client relationship management capabilities.
• Solid attention to detail with experience delivering effective health & safety initiatives.
• Experienced in motivating and managing diverse, multidisciplinary teams.

Inclusive Leadership Demonstrate dedication to driving our inclusion strategy by fostering a culture of respect within your team. Build a diverse and inclusive workforce, recruiting and retaining the best talent while nurturing the next generation of leaders. Lead with empathy, respect, and understanding, actively seeking diverse perspectives. Encourage a work environment where employees can grow, innovate, collaborate and be their authentic selves. Uphold AECOM’s values and promote engagement and continuous development among staff within the region. We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.