At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative laboratory projects and shape the future of science design.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, competitive salary, and diverse benefits for your well-being.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on science and technology environments while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in laboratory design and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 [email protected] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design 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!
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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 AECOM who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
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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 Associate Director – Laboratory Planning & Science Design 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 AECOM!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to AECOM. 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 AECOM
✨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 AECOM.
