Associate Director - Transport Planning

AECOM

Contact: jenna.murray@aecom.com Region: England - Yorkshire and Humberside Location: Leeds Category: Transport planning Closes: 18 Dec 2026 Salary: Unspecified More info:

Job Description

Are you ready to challenge the boundaries of what's possible?

AECOM offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where you can lead impactful projects and work alongside industry experts. As an Associate Director, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of transport planning, delivering solutions that enhance connectivity, sustainability, and quality of life.

We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.

About You

The Associate Director role in Transport Planning and Strategic Consulting is a leadership position focused on delivering innovative and sustainable transport solutions. Responsibilities include leadership, client engagement, project delivery, business development, and team development. Candidates should have extensive experience in transport planning, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to excellence.

The Leeds office has an established track record of successfully delivering Transport Planning projects and works closely with other disciplines from Streets and Technology, Highways, Aviation, Ports, Rail and Environmental sectors. The team workload ranges from feasibility studies, preliminary / detail design and on-site management, working with mainly public sector clients.

Role

We are currently looking for an Associate Director to support and lead on the delivery of a variety of transport projects. The role will suit a self-motivated individual who is aspiring to take a lead role in client engagement and manage dynamic teams delivering high quality projects covering:

• Transportation studies covering all modes including active travel and passenger priority schemes
• Modelling and data analytics to support public sector business case development and funding applications
• Localised and strategic transport model development
• Collaborative working across multi-disciplinary major projects

Here’s What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives to grow the transport planning and consulting practice. Align team objectives with AECOM’s broader business goals, ensuring integration across disciplines. Proven work winning, project management and team management abilities with excellent Client relations.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, including public sector agencies, private developers, and infrastructure operators. Provide strategic advice to clients, ensuring their goals are met with innovative and sustainable solutions. Represent AECOM at client meetings, industry events, and conferences, enhancing the company’s reputation as a leader in transport planning.

Project Delivery: Oversee the delivery of complex transport planning projects, ensuring they meet quality, budget, and timeline requirements. Provide technical oversight and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards. Manage project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure successful outcomes.

Business Development: Identify and pursue new business opportunities in the transport planning sector. Lead the preparation of bids and proposals, ensuring they align with client needs and AECOM’s strategic priorities. Collaborate with other business lines to secure and deliver multidisciplinary projects.

Team Development: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of transport planners and consultants. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team. Promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring a supportive and equitable workplace.

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.

• Career development opportunities
• Flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle
• Technical practice networks
• AECOM University
• Volunteering days

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s What We’re Looking For

• Degree in Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Membership in professional bodies such as the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) or Transport Planning Society (TPS).
• Extensive experience in transport planning, with a proven track record in winning work and leading teams
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver results.
• Comprehensive knowledge of transport planning principles, policies, and regulations in the UK&I region.
• Expertise in transport modelling (strategic and local) and transport economics
• Ability to interface with design teams on the role of modelling in scheme development
• Understanding of the technical requirements of major public clients in the region with respect to transport modelling and appraisal
• Proficiency in commonly used transport planning tools and software.

At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!