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. 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. Job Description Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design The Opportunity We are seeking an Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design to take a strategic leadership role within our Architecture & Design Studio. This is a pivotal opportunity to: Lead complex, high-profile laboratory and science sector projects
Act as a trusted advisor to global clients
Shape the growth of our Science & Technology (S&T) sector offering
Drive innovation in laboratory planning and design You will join a high-performing, multidisciplinary team spanning architecture, engineering, digital, and consulting services, working on some of the most technically complex and impactful projects in the built environment. Your Role As an Associate Director, you will operate at the intersection of design leadership, client advisory, and business growth. You will: Provide strategic leadership across laboratory planning and science facility design
Act as a sector leader and client-facing expert, influencing project direction from concept to delivery
Drive work-winning and client engagement, building long-term partnerships across the life sciences ecosystem
Inspire teams to deliver exceptional, innovative, and future-ready environments Key Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy Provide technical, design, and commercial leadership across laboratory and science sector projects
Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex, high-value projects at scale
Champion design excellence, innovation, and sustainability in laboratory environments
Contribute to the strategic growth of the Science & Technology sector Client Advisory & Sector Influence Act as a trusted advisor to clients, guiding laboratory planning, briefing, and design strategy
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, and collaborators
Represent AECOM as a sector leader across industry forums, conferences, and thought leadership Work Winning & Commercial Delivery Lead and contribute to business development and bid activities
Identify new opportunities and drive sector growth and market positioning
Take accountability for project performance, including commercial outcomes and delivery quality Laboratory Planning & Design Excellence Lead laboratory briefing, planning, and design integration across a range of facility types
Translate complex scientific workflows into flexible, efficient, and future-proof environments
Oversee coordination of technical specialists, equipment planners, and engineering teams Team Leadership & Development Mentor and develop emerging talent and future leaders within the team
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture
Support recruitment and capability building within the Science & Technology sector Innovation & Digital Delivery Champion digital design, BIM, and data-driven approaches
Drive adoption of advanced tools, modular design, and emerging technologies
Lead innovation in low-carbon, sustainable, and resilient laboratory design Apply Now If you are ready to take a leading role in shaping the future of science and research environments, we would love to hear from you. For informal enquiries, please contact Stephen Bullock via LinkedIn. Qualifications Minimum Requirements ARB registered Architect (or equivalent professional qualification)
Significant post-qualification experience within laboratory / science sector design
Proven track record leading complex, multidisciplinary projects
Strong client-facing experience, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
Experience in laboratory planning, briefing, and design strategy
Excellent understanding of laboratory standards, workflows, and regulatory environments
Demonstrated ability in team leadership, mentoring, and project delivery
Proficiency in Revit, BIM, and digital delivery workflows
Eligibility to work in the UK Preferred Experience Experience at Associate / Associate Director level
Demonstrated experience in work-winning and business development
Experience across life sciences, higher education and research sectors
Knowledge of GMP, cleanrooms, containment labs, and advanced manufacturing facilities
Familiarity with sustainable design frameworks (BREEAM, LEED, WELL)
Experience working within multidisciplinary environments
Strong interest in future trends in science, innovation districts, and R&D ecosystems Additional Information 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 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. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. ReqID: J Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places Business Group: DCS Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India Career Area: Design Work Location Model: Hybrid
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. Job Description Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design The Opportunity We are seeking an Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design to take a strategic leadership role within our Architecture & Design Studio. This is a pivotal opportunity to: Lead complex, high-profile laboratory and science sector projects
Act as a trusted advisor to global clients
Shape the growth of our Science & Technology (S&T) sector offering
Drive innovation in laboratory planning and design You will join a high-performing, multidisciplinary team spanning architecture, engineering, digital, and consulting services, working on some of the most technically complex and impactful projects in the built environment. Your Role As an Associate Director, you will operate at the intersection of design leadership, client advisory, and business growth. You will: Provide strategic leadership across laboratory planning and science facility design
Act as a sector leader and client-facing expert, influencing project direction from concept to delivery
Drive work-winning and client engagement, building long-term partnerships across the life sciences ecosystem
Inspire teams to deliver exceptional, innovative, and future-ready environments Key Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy Provide technical, design, and commercial leadership across laboratory and science sector projects
Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex, high-value projects at scale
Champion design excellence, innovation, and sustainability in laboratory environments
Contribute to the strategic growth of the Science & Technology sector Client Advisory & Sector Influence Act as a trusted advisor to clients, guiding laboratory planning, briefing, and design strategy
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, and collaborators
Represent AECOM as a sector leader across industry forums, conferences, and thought leadership Work Winning & Commercial Delivery Lead and contribute to business development and bid activities
Identify new opportunities and drive sector growth and market positioning
Take accountability for project performance, including commercial outcomes and delivery quality Laboratory Planning & Design Excellence Lead laboratory briefing, planning, and design integration across a range of facility types
Translate complex scientific workflows into flexible, efficient, and future-proof environments
Oversee coordination of technical specialists, equipment planners, and engineering teams Team Leadership & Development Mentor and develop emerging talent and future leaders within the team
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture
Support recruitment and capability building within the Science & Technology sector Innovation & Digital Delivery Champion digital design, BIM, and data-driven approaches
Drive adoption of advanced tools, modular design, and emerging technologies
Lead innovation in low-carbon, sustainable, and resilient laboratory design Apply Now If you are ready to take a leading role in shaping the future of science and research environments, we would love to hear from you. For informal enquiries, please contact Stephen Bullock via LinkedIn. Qualifications Minimum Requirements ARB registered Architect (or equivalent professional qualification)
Significant post-qualification experience within laboratory / science sector design
Proven track record leading complex, multidisciplinary projects
Strong client-facing experience, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
Experience in laboratory planning, briefing, and design strategy
Excellent understanding of laboratory standards, workflows, and regulatory environments
Demonstrated ability in team leadership, mentoring, and project delivery
Proficiency in Revit, BIM, and digital delivery workflows
Eligibility to work in the UK Preferred Experience Experience at Associate / Associate Director level
Demonstrated experience in work-winning and business development
Experience across life sciences, higher education and research sectors
Knowledge of GMP, cleanrooms, containment labs, and advanced manufacturing facilities
Familiarity with sustainable design frameworks (BREEAM, LEED, WELL)
Experience working within multidisciplinary environments
Strong interest in future trends in science, innovation districts, and R&D ecosystems Additional Information 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 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. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. ReqID: J Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places Business Group: DCS Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India Career Area: Design Work Location Model: Hybrid
Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design in London employer: AECOM
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive career development opportunities, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in our mission to deliver a better world while enjoying the benefits of working with a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
