Digital Optimisation Lead, Water – England & Wales (Hybrid)

AECO; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Digital Optimisation Lead to drive digital delivery and advisory across England & Wales. This hybrid role sits at the intersection of hands-on implementation and client-facing consultancy within the Water business line, championing AI and data-driven decision making.

Reporting to the Water Digital Lead for EURI, you will build a pipeline of opportunities, shape strategy, and lead delivery across programmes, while engaging stakeholders and mentoring regional teams to adopt the

Qualifications

• 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 contributing to bid responses

Responsibilities

• Lead digital delivery across 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 withthe 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

Skills

Digital delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

Power BI

Azure

Python

Leadership

Bid responses

Education

Degree in Civil/Mechanical/CS/Data Science or related

Tools

Power BI

Azure

Job description

AECOM is seeking a Digital Optimisation Lead to drive digital delivery and advisory across England & Wales. This hybrid role sits at the intersection of hands-on implementation and client-facing consultancy within the Water business line, championing AI and data-driven decision making.

Reporting to the Water Digital Lead for EURI, you will build a pipeline of opportunities, shape strategy, and lead delivery across programmes, while engaging stakeholders and mentoring regional teams to adopt the