Director of Architecture (m/f/d)

AECOM; Berlin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Director of Architecture to lead and grow its German architecture department. You will drive strategic direction, coordinate multidisciplinary teams across offices, and oversee the full design lifecycle from concept to construction support, ensuring design integrity and market growth.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in architecture with 8+ years in senior leadership, fluent German and English, and a track record of managing complex HOAI LPh 1–6 projects and international

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture with professional registration or equivalent licensure (Bauvorlageberechtigung).
• 15+ years of professional architectural experience, including at least 8 years in senior design leadership, project leadership, or practice leadership roles.
• Proven experience delivering architectural projects across HOAI LPh 1–6 in Germany, with direct accountability for key design decisions and technical delivery, permitting processes, technical standards, and local project delivery frameworks.
• 10+ years of senior client-facing experience, building strategic relationships and leading major business opportunities with domestic and international clients.
• Proven experience leading/coordinating multidisciplinary teams and complex project portfolios across multiple offices, regions, or international delivery environments (readiness and flexibility to travel within Germany and internationally).
• Demonstrated agility and professional judgement in managing evolving client expectations, shifting project priorities, and complex stakeholder dynamics as well as balancing international ambitions, commercial objectives, and local delivery requirements with confidence and flexibility.
• Strong market knowledge in order to perform appropriate business development strategies considering resource planning.
• Track record of developing talent, mentoring leaders, and building high-performing teams.
• Fluent in German and English

Responsibilities

• Define the strategic direction of the architecture practice in Germany and translate business priorities into measurable outcomes.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing teams across multiple offices.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and design excellence.
• Lead and actively contribute to architectural design delivery across HOAI LPh 1–6, from concept through technical design, permitting, tender, and construction support.
• Provide hands-on design leadership, with the technical credibility to challenge, direct, and approve design decisions—not simply oversee them.
• Establish design standards, technical governance, and quality across the practice.
• Lead multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver design excellence, technical integrity, and commercial value.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, developers, investors, public authorities, and strategic partners.
• Lead domestic and international clients, translating global ambitions into locally compliant and commercially deliverable solutions in Germany.
• Identify new market opportunities, lead strategic pursuits, and strengthen AECOM’s market presence.
• Own business performance, team utilization, delivery excellence, and operational efficiency.
• Drive profitable growth, innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Mentoring

Multi-location coordination

HOAI knowledge

German & English

Strategic business development

Education

Architecture degree with licensure (Bauvorlageberechtigung)

Job description

• Primary Location: DE - Berlin, Knesebeckstrasse 62-63

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 nearly 51,000 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 is seeking an experienced Director of Architecture, to lead and grow our architectural department in Germany.

This is a leadership opportunity for a design-led architect with proven hands‑on experience, delivering architectural projects across Germany using the HOAI (LPh 1–6). We are seeking a leader whose career has been built on architectural design delivery, with direct responsibility for authorship, technical accountability, and the authority to lead, defend, and approve design decisions throughout all phases of design and delivery.

As Director of Architecture, you will define the direction of the department, lead/coordinate multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations, and oversee the full design lifecycle—from early strategic advisory through delivery and completion. You will play a critical role in expanding our market presence, developing future leaders, and shaping the long‑term success of AECOM’s architecture business in Germany.

What Does the Role Entail?

• Define the strategic direction of the architecture practice in Germany and translate business priorities into measurable outcomes.
• Build, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams across multiple offices.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and design excellence.
• Lead and actively contribute to architectural design delivery across HOAI LPh 1–6, from concept through technical design, permitting, tender, and construction support.
• Provide hands‑on design leadership, with the technical credibility to challenge, direct, and approve design decisions—not simply oversee them.
• Establish design standards, technical governance, and quality across the practice.
• Lead multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver design excellence, technical integrity, and commercial value.

Client & Market Leadership

• Build trusted relationships with clients, developers, investors, public authorities, and strategic partners.
• Lead domestic and international clients, translating global ambitions into locally compliant and commercially deliverable solutions in Germany.
• Identify new market opportunities, lead strategic pursuits, and strengthen AECOM’s market presence.

Business & Operational Leadership

• Own business performance, team utilization, delivery excellence, and operational efficiency.
• Drive profitable growth, innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture with professional registration or equivalent licensure (Bauvorlageberechtigung).
• 15+ years of professional architectural experience, including at least 8 years in senior design leadership, project leadership, or practice leadership roles.
• Proven experience delivering architectural projects across HOAI LPh 1–6 in Germany, with direct accountability for key design decisions and technical delivery, permitting processes, technical standards, and local project delivery frameworks.
• 10+ years of senior client‑facing experience, building strategic relationships and leading major business opportunities with domestic and international clients.
• Proven experience leading/coordinating multidisciplinary teams and complex project portfolios across multiple offices, regions, or international delivery environments (readiness and flexibility to travel within Germany and internationally).
• Demonstrated agility and professional judgement in managing evolving client expectations, shifting project priorities, and complex stakeholder dynamics as well as balancing international ambitions, commercial objectives, and local delivery requirements with confidence and flexibility.
• Strong market knowledge in order to perform appropriate business development strategies considering resource planning.
• Track record of developing talent, mentoring leaders, and building high‑performing teams.
• Fluent in German and English

Additional Information

Who You Are

You are first and foremost an architect who has earned credibility through leading and delivering design—not managing it from a distance.

You lead with clarity, ambition, and purpose. You know how to build teams, develop leaders, create client confidence, and translate strategy into measurable growth.

You are equally comfortable leading design, solving technical challenges, managing client expectations, and delivering architecture that works—globally informed, locally executable.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private‑sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting‑edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award‑winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.