Senior Advisor - Natural Hazards Policy

Marketplace; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6 weeks annual leave

Volunteer and representation leave

Flexible public holidays – swap days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal/Director-level Quantity Surveyor or Cost Manager to lead the Wellington Cost Management team. You will drive capability, client relationships and business development across national projects while mentoring teams and delivering best-in-class commercial outcomes.

You’ll shape proposals, lead client presentations, manage budgets and timelines, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to extend AECOM’s national practice and client base.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or related field.
• Significant experience in cost management / quantity surveying, ideally in a consulting environment.
• Chartered or professional membership such as NZIQS, RICS or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading Cost Management services and managing project resources, budgets and timelines.
• Strong senior client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience preparing and leading proposals, submissions and client presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Wellington Cost Management team and developing capability and leadership.
• Provide senior commercial and technical leadership across major projects.
• Manage resources, budgets, timelines, risk and performance.
• Build trusted client relationships and identify future opportunities.
• Lead proposals, client presentations and pursuits to win work.
• Collaborate across the national Cost Management practice and wider network.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Communication

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying / Cost Management

Job description

**Job Description**

**The Opportunity**

AECOM's New Zealand Cost Management practice is looking for a Principal / Director-level Quantity Surveyor or Cost Manager to lead our Wellington team.

Reporting to the Cost Management Practice Lead and as a member of our national Cost Management leadership team, you'll combine technical expertise, people leadership, client relationships and business development to help grow our Wellington and national capability.

You'll work across a diverse portfolio of projects and sectors, leading resources, budgets and timelines while partnering with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver outstanding commercial outcomes.

You'll also play a hands‑on role in developing proposals, leading client presentations, winning new work and business strategy.

**How You'll Make a Difference**

• Lead the Wellington Cost Management team, supporting capability, performance and professional development.
• Lead Cost Management services across major projects, providing senior commercial and technical leadership.
• Manage resources, budgets, timelines, risk and commercial performance.
• Build trusted senior client relationships and identify opportunities for future work.
• Lead and prepare proposals, submissions and client presentations, contributing to major pursuits and winning work.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AECOM's national Cost Management practice.
• Collaborate across AECOM's wider business and global network to bring the right expertise to our clients.
• Embrace AI, digital tools and emerging technologies to evolve how Cost Management is delivered.
• Mentor and develop the next generation of Cost Management professionals.

**Qualifications**

**What You'll Bring**

We're looking for an established Quantity Surveyor or Cost Management professional who combines strong technical and commercial expertise with leadership capability, client confidence and a genuine appetite for growth.

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in cost management / quantity surveying, ideally within a consulting environment.
• Chartered or professional membership such as NZIQS, RICS or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading Cost Management services and managing project resources, budgets and timelines.
• Strong senior client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and leading proposals, submissions and client presentations and contributing to winning work.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, including risk and project performance.
• Experience with PPP contracts would be highly regarded.
• Proven leadership capability, including mentoring and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.

If you're ready to lead a high-performing team, build lasting client relationships, win exciting work and help shape a national practice, we’d love to hear from you.

**Additional Information**

**Why this role**

This is more than a senior Quantity Surveying or Cost Management role. It's an opportunity to lead a team, influence clients and help shape a national practice. You'll have the scope to combine project delivery and business growth – from leading complex commercial work and managing teams through to developing proposals, presenting to clients and securing new opportunities. As part of the national leadership team, you'll also have a voice in the future direction of the practice and access to AECOM's extensive expertise across New Zealand, Australia and the wider global network.

• Work on nation‑shaping projects across New Zealand
• Be part of a connected national and global network of experts
• Flexible work arrangements aligned to role and client needs
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Volunteer and representation leave opportunities
• Flexible public holidays – swap days to suit your lifestyle

**Ready to push the limits of what's possible?**

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

**About AECOM**

AECOM is proudly a global infrastructure leader that delivers a better world through sustainable, resilient solutions across water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. With a workforce of over 50,000 professionals, we transform our clients’ challenges from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. We are a Fortune 500 firm with revenue of $16.1 billion (FY 2025).

**What makes AECOM a great place to work**

Employees enjoy comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, paid time off, leaves of absence, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, wellbeing resources, employee assistance program and more. Our culture champions growth, collaboration, and the freedom to pursue a career you’ve envisioned. A critical component is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, lighting a path for fair opportunity in every role.

**We are an Equal Opportunity Employer**

All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. All information will be kept confidential in accordance with EEO guidelines.