Project Director - Controls Analytics

AECOM; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Comprehensive benefits programs

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Project Director in Manchester, England, to lead high-profile client engagements and deliver Controls Analytics solutions. This role balances strategic advisory and market-facing responsibilities to improve client outcomes through data-driven decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Engineering or related fields, 15+ years of experience, and strong expertise in project controls disciplines. AECOM offers a hybrid work model along with a wide array of employee benefits.

Qualifications

• Typically 15+ years’ experience across project/programme controls, PMO leadership and/or consultancy.
• Proven senior leadership experience within complex programmes or consultancy environments.
• Strong understanding and experience in project controls disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead high‑profile client engagements, shaping and delivering Controls Analytics solutions.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Programme Directors and senior client stakeholders.
• Translate complex data and controls outputs into clear, actionable executive insights.
• Drive adoption of insight‑driven performance management and proactive intervention practices.

Skills

Leadership & Consulting

Commercial Awareness

Controls & Domain Expertise

PMO Delivery Models

Analytics & Digital Understanding

Education

Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, Data/Analytics or a related discipline

Professional certifications (APM, PMI, MSP, RICS, AACE or similar)

Tools

Power BI

Primavera P6

PRISM

Aconex

Job description

Job Description

We specialise in delivering Controls Analytics across Cost, Risk, Planning and Performance, supporting major infrastructure and capital investment programmes. By combining project controls with advanced analytics, we help clients make timely, data‑driven decisions that improve outcomes, strengthen governance and enhance performance across portfolios, programmes and projects.

The Opportunity

As part of our continued growth, we are recruiting Project Directors to strengthen our leadership team. These senior roles blend delivery oversight, strategic advisory and market-facing responsibilities. You will operate as a trusted advisor to client executives while expanding AECOM’s Controls Analytics proposition across key accounts and sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead high‑profile client engagements, shaping and delivering Controls Analytics solutions and driving business growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Programme Directors, Sponsors and senior client stakeholders, providing strategic direction on controls analytics, PMO performance, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Translate complex data and controls outputs into clear, actionable executive insights.
• Lead the setup and oversight of Controls Analytics delivery across projects, programmes and portfolios.
• Define controls operating models, reporting frameworks and governance structures.
• Provide direction and assurance to delivery teams (data engineers, analysts, controls specialists).
• Ensure solutions are fit‑for‑purpose, scalable and aligned to client outcomes.
• Shape and implement integrated controls analytics approaches covering cost, schedule, risk, change and performance.
• Oversee the development of executive reporting, dashboards and KPI frameworks.
• Drive adoption of insight‑driven performance management and proactive intervention practices.
• Support clients in improving controls maturity, data quality and governance.
• Play a leading role in bids, proposals and client pursuits, developing compelling Controls Analytics propositions.
• Identify and drive organic growth opportunities within existing client engagements.
• Build strong external relationships to enhance AECOM’s market presence.
• Lead, mentor and develop high‑performing multidisciplinary teams; foster a consultancy mindset and contribute to the development of methods, tools and accelerators.
• Guide the integration of risk, contingency and scenario analytics into controls frameworks and develop change analytics and forecasting models.
• Enable clients to transition from retrospective reporting to predictive and forward‑looking insights.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, Data/Analytics or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications (APM, PMI, MSP, RICS, AACE or similar) desirable.
• Typically 15+ years’ experience across project/programme controls, PMO leadership and/or consultancy.

Skills & Experience

• Leadership & Consulting: Proven senior leadership experience within complex programmes or consultancy environments; strong client engagement, stakeholder influence and delivery team leadership.
• Commercial Awareness: Experience contributing to work‑winning and account growth.
• Controls & Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of project controls disciplines (cost, planning, risk, change and performance); experience with major infrastructure or capital programmes in transport, energy, water or defence.
• PMO Delivery Models: Strong appreciation of PMO delivery models and governance structures.
• Analytics & Digital Understanding: Deep knowledge of controls analytics solutions, dashboards and performance frameworks; familiarity with Power BI, Primavera P6, PRISM, Aconex and data architectures.
• Ability to guide teams on data integration, modelling and insight generation without direct build involvement.

Benefits and Working Environment

You will have the flexibility to work in a hybrid model, whether from an AECOM office, remote location or client site. AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet diverse employee needs.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. AECOM is a Disability Confident Employer and offers an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition that meets the minimum essential criteria for the role. For a Disability Confident interview scheme, please contact [e-mail].