Digital Optimisation Lead

AECOM; Spital; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Flexible hybrid working model

Technical practice networks

AECOM University

Volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Digital Optimisation Lead to drive digital delivery across England & Wales Water operations. This role sits at the intersection of hands-on digital implementation and strategic client-facing consultancy, advocating AI and data science to deliver measurable outcomes for projects and internal teams.

You will coordinate with regional delivery teams, translate strategy into deliverable workplans and engage stakeholders at all levels to demonstrate digital value and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or Data Science.
• Strong experience in a digital, data or technology-focused role in infrastructure or water.
• Proven track record leading digital delivery across programmes in complex environments.
• Experience with UK water sector clients and regulated frameworks.
• Data skills including governance; Power BI and Azure; Python scripting preferred.
• Ability to translate strategy into owned, deliverable workplans with measurable outcomes.
• Confident communicator; able to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience facilitating client workshops and contributing to bid responses.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital delivery across multiple projects and frameworks in England & Wales.
• Develop and implement digital optimisation strategies with the core digital team.
• Advise clients on digital transformation, governance, operating models and roadmaps.
• Engage with account managers to identify opportunities and define delivery requirements.
• Champion AI, ML and data science adoption to drive efficiency and insight.
• Identify automation opportunities and develop MVPs with scaling potential.
• Support regional teams with latest digital solutions and upskill resources.
• Contribute to bid responses including RfPs, ITTs and tenders.
• Facilitate client workshops and stakeholder sessions; present progress and value.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic consultancy

Communication

Data governance

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Computer Science

Degree in Data Science

Tools

Power BI

Azure

Python

Job description

Start here. Grow here. AECOM is seeking a Digital Optimisation Lead to drive digital delivery and advisory across our England & Wales operations. This role sits at the intersection of hands-on digital implementation and strategic client-facing consultancy, working across our the Water Business line. The Digital Optimisation Lead will champion the adoption of digital methods, data-driven decision making, and emerging technologies, including AI and data science to deliver measurable outcomes for clients and internal project teams alike. Reporting to the Water Digital Lead for EURI, this role partners closely with Client Account Managers and regional delivery teams, to build a pipeline of digital opportunities, shape strategy, and lead delivery across frameworks and programmes. The ideal candidate blends deep technical understanding with the ability to engage, influence and inspire both technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels.

Key Activities

• Lead digital delivery across multiple projects and frameworks in England & Wales, acting as the digital lead and ensuring teams are equipped with the right tools, methods and capabilities to deliver
• Develop and implement digital optimisation strategies in collaboration with the core digital team, translating strategy into owned, deliverable workplans
• Advise clients on digital transformation approaches, including data governance frameworks, operating models, platform adoption and roadmap development
• Engage with Client Account Managers across England & Wales to identify digital opportunities, support client relationships, and define delivery requirements that align with client needs and AECOM's digital offering
• Champion the understanding and adoption of AI, machine learning and data science techniques across project teams and client engagements, identifying where these can drive efficiency, insight or innovation
• Identify automation and digital innovation opportunities within project delivery, working with teams to develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) with scaling potential
• Manage and support regional delivery teams in adopting the latest digital solutions, identifying upskilling needs and ensuring resources are appropriately allocated to projects
• Lead and contribute to bid responses including RfPs, ITTs and tenders, supporting bid strategy, content development and proposal management for digital-led opportunities
• Facilitate client workshops, stakeholder sessions and internal presentations - including regional townhalls - to align on strategy, share progress and demonstrate digital value

Come & Grow with Us

Become part of our dynamic Water business, which boasts around 600 experts across the UK & Ireland. Collaborate with top-tier civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large-scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion. Here, you'll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued. Enjoy the Perks. At AECOM you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days. We recognise that everyone's circumstances are different, so we're more than happy to discuss part-time or flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

• career development opportunities
• flexible hybrid working model
• technical practice networks
• AECOM University
• volunteering days

What we are looking for

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related discipline
• Strong experience in a digital, data, or technology-focused role within the infrastructure or water sector
• Proven track record of leading digital delivery across multiple programmes within complex, multi-disciplinary environments
• Experience working with UK water sector clients and regulated industry frameworks
• Strong data skills, including data governance, platforms such as Power BI and Azure, with scripting (e.g. Python) preferred
• Ability to translate digital strategy into owned, deliverable workplans with measurable outcomes
• Confident and compelling communicator, able to influence and engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels
• Experience facilitating client workshops and stakeholder sessions, and contributing to bid responses

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.

About AECOM

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

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.