Water Sector Lead: Growth & Strategy (Hybrid)

AECO; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Water Sector Lead to shape growth strategy for Environment & Energy Europe, focusing on the UK & Ireland. The role combines market insight, client relationship building and cross-disciplinary collaboration to position AECOM as the partner of choice in a dynamic water market.

You will lead sector strategy, pursue high-value opportunities, and drive campaigns across disciplines to achieve YoY growth and sector KPIs while representing AECOM at industry events and client forums.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in leading business development and growth within the Water sector in a consultancy or professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Water sector dynamics, clients, emerging areas and key competitors.
• Proven ability to build and maintain high-value client relationships at senior levels.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate a vision into practical action plans.
• Seasoned capture manager with the ability to position for and secure key opportunities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Experience in Water sector-related technical delivery.
• Established industry profile with the ability to act as a thought leader.
• Membership of a recognised professional body where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the sector, setting clear priorities and aligning activities to Environment & Energy Europe business objectives with a focus on UK and Ireland in 2027.
• Maintain deep knowledge of the sector’s market drivers, competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities and be able to anticipate and respond to future needs in the sector particularly from an Environment & Energy perspective (e.g. Planning & Consenting, Nature, Ground Conditions, Energy and Climate Advisory).
• Act as the figurehead for the sector, representing AECOM at industry events, conferences, and client forums to raise our profile in the sector demonstrating our technical excellence and innovation.
• Work closely with the Regional Water Sector Lead, the Water Business Line and the EUR&I Sales Organisation, to ensure Environment & Energy is fully represented in the Water Sector strategy, targets and pursuits.
• Lead development and implementation of an Environment & Energy sector-specific growth plan, including client engagement strategies, targeted pursuits, strategic initiatives (including emerging areas to pivot into) and positioning for key frameworks across all Environment & Energy disciplines.
• Build and maintain strategic client relationships across the sector, fostering trust, collaboration, and repeat business.
• Collaborate with our Client Account Managers (CAMs) in the Water sector to ensure alignment of priorities, identifying, creating, positioning and converting opportunities for all interested disciplines across Environment & Energy for YoY growth.
• Drive Environment & Energy Work Winning strategy and best practice to secure appropriate resourcing and bid leadership for strategic pursuits to optimise win rate. Act as Capture Manager for strategic opportunities in the sector.
• Accountable for achieving key performance targets for the sector for each financial year - including bookings, revenue delivered and Client Satisfaction.
• Ensure the pipeline of opportunities for the sector is constantly maintained, and is complete, accurate, and provides actionable insight for decision-making. Provide quarterly updates to Environment & Energy leadership on sector performance, market trends, and strategic risks/opportunities.
• Drive collaboration across Business Lines when projects require multi-disciplinary expertise.
• Support Environment & Energy priorities and campaigns relevant to the sector e.g. Advisory, Infrastructure Investment, Design & Build.
• Set the tone, celebrate success and create a positive culture across the sector in Environment & Energy business lines.
• Support programme/project delivery from a client leadership perspective.
• Active involvement with AI's role in infrastructure delivery including client engagement and influence its adoption in the sector to achieve client outcomes.

Skills

Water sector knowledge

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Capture management

Business development

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Industry thought leadership

Education

Professional body membership

Job description

AECOM is seeking a Water Sector Lead to shape growth strategy for Environment & Energy Europe, focusing on the UK & Ireland. The role combines market insight, client relationship building and cross-disciplinary collaboration to position AECOM as the partner of choice in a dynamic water market.

You will lead sector strategy, pursue high-value opportunities, and drive campaigns across disciplines to achieve YoY growth and sector KPIs while representing AECOM at industry events and client forums.