Associate Director Architecture (NSQEP) TLNT1_NI in Belfast

Come and grow with us. Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM. We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

As an Associate Director Architecture (NSQEP), you will provide architectural leadership on complex defence, research and nuclear infrastructure projects. Combining strong design capability with experience in highly regulated environments, you will lead multidisciplinary teams in the planning, design and delivery of facilities that prioritise safety and operational performance. You will play a key role in shaping design strategy, guiding project teams and ensuring architectural outcomes align with nuclear safety requirements, Defence standards and international best practice. This role is based in Adelaide. Suitably qualified candidates will be considered for relocation.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead the architectural design and delivery of complex defence, research and nuclear infrastructure projects.
• Provide design leadership across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high-quality and coordinated project outcomes.
• Oversee architectural outputs that support nuclear safety requirements, regulatory approvals and project governance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, stakeholders and project partners throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Guide the development of innovative, practical and resilient design solutions across complex building typologies.
• Mentor and develop architecture team members while fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Support business growth through client engagement, technical leadership and the delivery of exceptional project outcomes.

Qualifications

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

The qualities that help you thrive:

• Accredited degree in Architecture with current registration as an Architect in Australia, or the ability to obtain registration.
• Ideally, 10-15 years' experience in architecture, including leadership roles on complex defence, research, healthcare, laboratory or safety-critical projects.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects within highly regulated environments, with exposure to nuclear or defence sectors highly regarded.
• Strong understanding of nuclear safety frameworks, Defence design requirements and government project delivery standards.
• Experience leading architectural teams and managing multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
• Chartered status, professional membership or relevant postgraduate qualifications will be highly regarded.
• Given the nature of our projects, Australian Citizenship (or AUKUS Clearance) is required.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options.
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year.
• Flex public holidays swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better.
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities.

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know. Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.

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.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. 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.