At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow innovative Justice Architecture projects that make a real societal impact.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure and environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive pay, and diverse well-being programs.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace fostering innovation and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape secure environments and influence national infrastructure while mentoring future talent.
- Qualifications: Architect qualification with significant experience in the Justice sector and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re seeking an experienced Justice sector architect with the vision, credibility, and leadership capability to grow and lead an award‑winning team. You’ll drive major projects from concept through delivery, build trusted client relationships, and help define a strategic growth plan for Justice architecture across the UK and Ireland.
This is more than a leadership role. It’s an opportunity to influence national infrastructure, shape secure and rehabilitative environments, and help deliver projects that make a meaningful impact on society.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and growing AECOM’s Justice Architecture offer across the UK&I
- Acting as Lead Designer on major, complex projects across a range of Justice typologies
- Building strong relationships with MoJ and wider Justice sector stakeholders
- Experience delivering in both client side and contractor side roles
- Developing and converting a strong pipeline of opportunities into successful project wins
- Leading multidisciplinary teams with clarity, creativity, and commercial focus
- Driving design excellence, innovation, and technical quality across projects
- Supporting bids, competitions, and strategic business development initiatives
- Representing AECOM at industry events and within key client networks
- Mentoring and developing talent within the team, including direct line management of resources
- Supporting the design proposals and ideas for a mix of new build, refurbishment and compliance upgrades and expansion programmes
- Attending on site meetings and presentations, working both within the office and remotely
Ideally, you’ll bring:
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary consultancy environment
- Commercial awareness including NEC processes and budget management
- Experience working across multiple offices, regions or geographies
- Strong operational, resource planning and reporting capabilities
- A passion for innovation, digital tools, and continuous improvement
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
- Significant recent experience delivering projects within the Justice sector
- Qualification as an Architect (RIBA or RIAI)
- A proven track record leading large‑scale, multidisciplinary projects
- Strong design leadership and the ability to communicate a compelling vision
- Experience developing client relationships and contributing to business growth
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- The confidence to operate strategically while remaining hands‑on in project leadership
To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in‑person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
Benefits:
You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed. You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.
AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too. Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility.
We are a Disability Confidence Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address Reasonable Accommodations UK I @aecom.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confidence Interview Scheme. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Technical Director – Justice Architecture in London employer: AECO
AECOM is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and integrity, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in the heart of London. As a leader in the Justice Architecture sector, we provide our employees with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on society through transformative projects. Join us to be part of a diverse team that values your unique talents and fosters a culture of respect and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director – Justice Architecture in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from AECO who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director – Justice Architecture in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at AECO!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to AECO. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at AECO
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at AECO.