Associate Director | Design & Engineering Leadership

AECOM; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6 weeks additional annual leave

Hybrid work options

Professional development support

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Associate Director to join our Auckland Buildings & Places team. You’ll lead multidisciplinary design and delivery on complex building projects, bringing together engineers, architects and specialists to deliver integrated solutions with a strong client focus.

You’ll influence project outcomes, lead design leadership, programme management and the development of people, while leveraging AECOM's regional and global network to deliver high-impact projects across

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a building-services, engineering consultancy or multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience leading complex building projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong client, commercial and project management skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and bring people together.
• Genuine interest in developing people and growing a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary design and delivery on complex building projects.
• Bring together engineering, architectural and specialist disciplines to solve complex challenges.
• Lead design outcomes, programme, commercial performance, quality and risk.
• Work directly with clients and build long-term relationships.
• Lead, mentor and develop senior engineers and emerging leaders.
• Support major bids, proposals and business development.
• Connect clients and project teams with AECOM's wider technical expertise.

Skills

Multidisciplinary leadership

Project management

Client relationships

Mentoring

Business development

Education

Engineering or Built Environment qualification

Job description

Associate Director | Design & Engineering Leadership

• Full-time
• State/Province: Wellington
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM New Zealand Limited
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: NZ - Wellington

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.

You've built your career in engineering. Now lead the bigger picture.

AECOM is looking for an experienced Associate Director to join our Auckland Buildings & Places team.

This is an opportunity for a senior engineering or building-services professional who has moved into design leadership, project management and multidisciplinary delivery — and is ready to have a bigger influence on projects, clients and people.

You’ll lead some of the most complex building projects across healthcare, aviation, defence, education and commercial, bringing together engineers, architects and specialist teams to deliver integrated solutions.

You’ll have the scale of AECOM's New Zealand, Australian and global network behind you, while having genuine influence over how projects are delivered and how our people develop.

What you'll be doing

• Lead multidisciplinary design and delivery on complex building projects.
• Bring together engineering, architectural and specialist disciplines to solve complex challenges.
• Lead design outcomes, programme, commercial performance, quality and risk.
• Work directly with clients and build long-term relationships.
• Lead, mentor and develop senior engineers and emerging leaders.
• Support major bids, proposals and business development.
• Connect clients and project teams with AECOM's wider technical expertise.

What we're looking for

You might currently be a Mechanical / Electrical / Building Services Engineering Manager, Principal Engineer, Design Manager, Project Manager, Project Director or Associate Director.

What's important is that you've moved beyond your individual discipline and have experience leading people, coordinating multiple disciplines and taking ownership of complex project outcomes.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience in a building-services, engineering consultancy or multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience leading complex building projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong client, commercial and project management skills.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and bring people together.
• A genuine interest in developing people and growing a high-performing team.
• A relevant engineering or built environment qualification. Chartered status is advantageous.

You don't need to tick every box.

If you're a senior engineering leader who is ready to step into a broader role — or already operating at this level and looking for greater scale and opportunity — we'd like to hear from you.

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be aFortune 500 Most Admired Company, aWGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winnerand anAWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

At AECOM, 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.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.