Associate Director - Planning

AECOM Australia PTY LTD; Western Australia; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Up to 6 weeks additional annual leave

Public holiday swaps

Professional development & study leave

Job summary

AECOM in Western Australia is expanding its Planning practice and seeks a senior Planning leader to shape project delivery across WA. You will combine strategic planning with client engagement, lead approvals, mentor future team members, and contribute to growth of the WA Planning business.

Join a global team delivering infrastructure, environment and development projects with flexible work options and a strong focus on collaborative, results-driven delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree in Urban & Regional Planning or a related discipline.
• 12+ years' experience in urban, regional or statutory planning.
• Strong knowledge of Western Australia's planning system, legislation and approval pathways.
• Demonstrated experience securing planning and development approvals for complex projects.
• Proven ability to build client relationships, win work and develop new opportunities, with strong stakeholder engagement skills across government and private sector clients.
• Consulting experience is beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and development approval processes for projects across Western Australia.
• Provide strategic advice on planning pathways under WA planning acts and frameworks.
• Manage engagement with the WA Planning Commission and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, identifying opportunities and converting them into new work.
• Lead pursuits, proposals and tenders across development, infrastructure and energy sectors.
• Act as senior planning reviewer and technical lead for complex projects.
• Help establish, grow and mentor a future planning team in WA.
• Contribute to growth strategy and market presence of the Planning business in WA.

Skills

Planning leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Client relationships

Development approvals

Business development

Project delivery

Education

Urban & Regional Planning

Job description

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.

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

“AECOM has given me the opportunities, support and trust to build a career that's aligned with my ambitions and interests.” Lauren Spring, Sector Manager & Growth Lead - Environment, WA

Come grow with us.

AECOM's environmental practice is dedicated to helping industries, clients and governments meet their environmental responsibilities while protecting the natural environment. We provide advisory and technical services to ensure compliance, manage impacts, and reduce risks, including obtaining permits and approvals, decommissioning and restoring contaminated sites, and tackling climate change challenges and resilience. We focus on preserving habitats, water quality, stakeholder engagement and cultural resources, promoting a holistic approach to environmental impact management at every project stage.

Due to client and project demand, an opportunity exists to establish and grow a Planning capability within our WA Environment business. As the first dedicated planning leader in the team, and with the support of a well-established approvals team behind you, you'll combine project delivery, client engagement and business development to build a strong and sustainable pipeline of work.

How you’ll make a difference

• Lead planning and development approval processes for projects across Western Australia.

• Provide strategic advice on planning pathways under the WA Planning and Development Act and associated planning frameworks.

• Manage engagement with the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH), local governments and key stakeholders.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, identifying opportunities and converting them into new work.

• Lead pursuits, proposals and tenders across the development, infrastructure and energy sectors.

• Act as the senior planning reviewer and technical lead for complex planning projects.

• Help establish, grow and mentor a future planning team in Western Australia.

• Contribute to the growth strategy and market presence of the Planning business in WA.

Qualifications

The qualities that help you thrive

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.

• Degree in Urban & Regional Planning or a related discipline.

• 12+ years' experience in urban, regional or statutory planning.

• Strong knowledge of Western Australia's planning system, legislation and approval pathways.

• Demonstrated experience securing planning and development approvals for complex projects.

• Proven ability to build client relationships, win work and develop new opportunities, with strong stakeholder engagement skills across government and private sector clients.

• Consulting experience is beneficial but not essential.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, job-sharing and hybrid work options

• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year

• Swap 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.

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About AECOM

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 culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – 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 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.As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.