Sector Manager - Urbanism & Planning, NSW

AECO; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6 weeks extra annual leave

Flex public holidays

Learning and development support

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Urbanism + Planning Sector Manager to lead a multidisciplinary Sydney team of architects, landscape architects, urban designers and planners. You will drive growth, strengthen client relationships and deliver technically excellent projects with governance and risk management oversight.

Join a global firm committed to diversity and inclusion, offering hybrid work options, flexible leave, and professional development.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or Urban Planning with eligibility for professional registration/accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing, inclusive multidisciplinary team across architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and urban planning consultants.
• Drive market growth and client engagement in NSW and ACT, building trusted relationships and pursuing strategic opportunities.
• Ensure project delivery excellence, governance, risk management and alignment with AECOM systems.
• Champion digital innovation to enhance outcomes, bids and team capability.

Skills

Architecture/Planning degree

20+ years experience

Client relationship management

Governance leadership

Innovation with digital capability

Education

Architecture / Urban Design / Planning degree

Tools

First Nations engagement tools

Job description

• Full-time
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AU - Sydney, NSW

Company Description

Come and grow with us.

Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Job Description

Due to an internal promotion, we are seeking an experienced Urbanism + Planning professional to join our Sydney team as Sector Manager. This role will lead a multidisciplinary team of architects, landscape architects, urban designers and urban planners. Furthermore, you will be responsible for growing the business, building strong client relationships, delivering technical excellence and supporting the team’s development.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead and inspire a high-performing, inclusive multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative culture across architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and urban planning consultants through coaching, clear expectations and cultural leadership.
• Drive market growth and client engagement in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, building trusted relationships, leading strategic pursuits, identifying city-shaping opportunities and representing AECOM in the local market and industry forums.
• Ensure excellence in project delivery and governance, championing quality, safety and client satisfaction while supporting robust risk management, consistent use of AECOM systems and effective work-sharing across ANZ.
• Champion digital innovation and future-focused practice, encouraging the adoption of digital tools and emerging technologies to enhance project outcomes, bids and team capability.

Qualifications

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.

The qualities that will help you thrive:

• Tertiary qualifications in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning or a related discipline, with eligibility for (or current) professional registration/accreditation in your field.
• Extensive experience (ideally 20+ years) in city-shaping projects, including leadership of complex multidisciplinary teams within a consulting or professional services environment.
• Proven market-facing capability, with a strong track record in client relationship management, business development, and winning strategic pursuits and proposals.
• Demonstrated technical excellence and governance leadership, including oversight of profit and loss reporting, project quality, risk management, and delivery within large, matrixed organisations.
• Strategic mindset with a commitment to innovation, digital capability and inclusive practice, including experience working with First Nations stakeholders and contributing to culturally responsive outcomes.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, full-time, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Flex 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.

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 acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we, our clients and our communities live and work in Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses. Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here:https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

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.