At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic relationships with UK Combined Authorities and devolved government bodies.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to delivering a better world.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on regional growth and transformation.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience with UK Combined Authorities and strong networking skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Company Description
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.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking a senior, externally facing leader to establish and grow strategic relationships with the UK's Combined Authorities, Mayoral Authorities and devolved regional bodies. This is a market-shaping role focused on helping AECOM understand and respond to the rapidly changing devolved governance landscape, where funding, decision-making and investment responsibility are increasingly moving from central government to regional authorities.
The successful candidate will be a recognised industry figure with deep experience working with Combined Authorities and a strong understanding of how these organisations operate, collaborate and compete. They will act as the bridge between authority priorities and AECOM's capabilities, translating regional ambitions into programmes, partnerships and opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and lead AECOM's engagement strategy across UK Combined Authorities and Mayoral Combined Authorities.
- Build trusted relationships with Mayors, Chief Executives, Directors, programme leaders and key influencers across devolved government.
- Provide insight into authority priorities, funding mechanisms, political drivers and investment plans.
- Identify opportunities where AECOM can support economic development, transport, energy, housing, skills, regeneration and infrastructure objectives.
- Facilitate collaboration across authorities while recognising their individual ambitions and competition for funding.
- Influence AECOM's strategy by bringing client insight, market intelligence and future policy direction into the business.
- Champion a "voice of the authority" approach, ensuring AECOM solutions are aligned with client needs and outcomes.
Strategic Leadership
- Lead AECOM’s wider engagement with strategic authorities across England.
- Responsible for growing revenues and pipeline across different authorities and services.
- Collaborate with regional leaders to develop and execute growth plans in the strategic authority market.
- Provide leadership to local teams as they develop relationships with the devolved authorities in their region.
Business Development
- Build and maintain a diversified pipeline of qualified opportunities in the devolved authority market; leveraging both your own insights and those of the wider AECOM team.
- Contribute to capture and pursuit activities to convert pipeline into revenue.
Team Collaboration & Mentorship
- Lead, support, and mentor AECOM’s strategic authority leads across England to combine national and industry best practice with deep local knowledge and relationships.
Operational Excellence
- Responsible for growing AECOM’s revenues in the strategic authority market.
- Maximise the value from growth enabler functions (e.g. Pursuit Teams, Client Listening, AI4Engineering, Strategic Marcomms) by influencing their activity focus as appropriate to the devolved authority market.
Qualifications
- Extensive experience working within, or alongside, UK Combined Authorities, local government or devolved public sector organisations.
- Well-networked and credible at executive and operating levels.
- Recognised and trusted by authority leadership teams.
- Strong understanding of regional funding, governance and investment decision-making.
- Commercially astute, politically aware and highly collaborative.
- Able to translate complex client challenges into practical opportunities for AECOM and its clients.
- Experience in working with, developing relationships, and building delivery portfolios with local government and devolved authorities in the UK.
- Strong existing relationships with devolved authorities and their constituent organisations.
- Excellent network with key stakeholders and decision makers within the Mayoral authorities and Combined authorities.
- Demonstrable experience of growing revenues and pipeline in the devolved authority market.
Success Measure: Become AECOM's most trusted adviser and connector within the UK's devolved authority landscape, positioning the business as a partner of choice for regional growth and transformation.
Additional Information
- Preferred Qualifications: Degree level relevant qualification (preferable).
- Sector experience in Transportation would be highly advantageous.
- Member of recognised professional body and/or professional qualifications relative to core markets.
What We Offer
At AECOM, we provide the flexibility to work in hybrid environments, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits tailored to support you and your family. We champion career growth through award-winning training programs and diverse opportunities.
AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes 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 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Head of Combined Authorities & Devolved Government Relations in Birmingham employer: AECOM
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our extensive career development opportunities, flexible hybrid working model, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in the South East, where you can make a meaningful impact on transport planning while enjoying a range of personalised benefits tailored to support your well-being and professional aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Combined Authorities & Devolved Government Relations in Birmingham
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like AECOM, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like AECOM and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
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Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Combined Authorities & Devolved Government Relations in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for AECOM and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at AECOM
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with AECOM, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for AECOM.
