At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects that shape transportation policies and improve communities.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid work, career development, and personalised benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in transportation planning and community development.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Science or related field; experience in research project delivery.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
- Senior Research Consultant - Transportation Planning
- Full-time
- State/Province: Manchester
- Business Group: DCS
- Legal Entity: AECOM Limited
- Business Line: Transportation
- Work Location Model: Hybrid
- Operating Group: International
- Primary Location: UK - Manchester, Level 4 - 100 Emban
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 at AECOM.
With 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.
We are seeking a Senior Research Consultant to join the Manchester team to support the delivery of high-quality social and market research across Manchester and the wider UK.
The role involves leading and contributing to robust research projects for central and local government clients, generating evidence-based insights that inform policy decisions, shape services, and drive positive change for communities and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Delivery
- Lead the design and development of robust, methodologically sound research frameworks aligned to client objectives
- Oversee and coordinate data collection activities, including survey deployment and fieldwork execution
- Design and facilitate qualitative research, including moderating focus groups and conducting in-depth interviews
- Apply advanced qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to generate actionable insights
- Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with MRS and data protection regulations
- Produce clear, concise, and insight-driven reports tailored to client and stakeholder needs
- Develop and deliver high-quality presentations that communicate findings effectively and support decision-making
- Project Management
- Manage the delivery of small and medium-sized projects, ensuring outputs meet quality standards, programme deadlines and budget requirements.
- Collaborate with internal teams to integrate research outputs into wider project delivery
- Maintain strong risk identification and mitigation, raising issues early and managing them appropriately.
- Support effective project coordination, including task planning, resourcing, and progress reporting.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Provide client contact and liaison without supervision, acting as a trusted point of contact
- Present technical findings clearly to a range of audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
- Support workshops, meetings, and consultations by providing clear technical advice and insight.
- Provide supervision, guidance and mentoring to junior colleagues, supporting their technical development and helping build methodological design and analysis skills.
- Contribute to small team management and line management responsibilities where required.
- Encourage consistent technical standards, knowledge sharing and collaborative working.
- Business Development
- Support the preparation of competitive technical and financial proposals
- Contribute to bid writing, work planning, and defining appropriate research approaches and deliverables for new opportunities.
Come grow with us.
We develop projects from concept through to operation providing engineering and construction services for multiyear, multimillion-dollar projects for major rail and transit agencies.
Our specialists provide analytical and strategic expertise for every stage of a project
And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM.
You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customized 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.
Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?
Here’s what we’re looking for
- Degree or above in relevant field such as Social Science, Market Research, Geography (Human), an d/ or relevant MRS qualifications.
- Prior experience in thetechnical delivery of Social and Market Research projects, including leading all stages of the research lifecycle, including research design, project delivery, and client management.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work to deadlines.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail and a desire for high quality outputs
- Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot logistical or operational issues in real time.
- Comfortable using MS Excel
- Knowledge of other software will be beneficial and should have a desire/ aptitude to learn new software such as survey programming (SNAP and Askia) and managing data (SPSS)
At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously.
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.
About AECOM
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 equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.
AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025.
See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom. com and @AECOM.
Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity
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.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.
We are a Disability Confident 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 UKI@aecom. com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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Senior Research Consultant - Transportation Planning in Manchester employer: AECO
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the architecture field, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our extensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that you can develop your skills while contributing to impactful projects that shape communities. With a culture that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration, AECOM provides the perfect platform for architects to thrive and make a difference in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Consultant - Transportation Planning in Manchester
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at AECO.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from AECO!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like AECO, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at AECO or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Consultant - Transportation Planning in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to AECO:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to AECO! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AECO
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
