Digital Optimisation Lead, Water – UK (Hybrid)

AECO; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Career development opportunities

AECOM University access

Volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Digital Optimisation Lead to drive digital delivery and advisory across England & Wales. The role blends hands-on digital implementation with consultancy, collaborating with the Water Business line.

You will champion AI and data science to deliver value for clients and internal teams. Reporting to the Water Digital Lead for EURI, you will build a pipeline of opportunities, shape strategy, and lead delivery across programmes while engaging both technical and non-technical

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 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 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

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or Data Science

Tools

Power BI

Azure

Python

Job description

AECOM is seeking a Digital Optimisation Lead to drive digital delivery and advisory across England & Wales. The role blends hands-on digital implementation with consultancy, collaborating with the Water Business line.

You will champion AI and data science to deliver value for clients and internal teams. Reporting to the Water Digital Lead for EURI, you will build a pipeline of opportunities, shape strategy, and lead delivery across programmes while engaging both technical and non-technical