Senior Sustainability & Resilience Consultant

AECOM; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Extra annual leave up to 6 weeks

Volunteer and representation leave

Flex public holidays

Job summary

AECOM’s Sustainability and Resilience team in New Zealand seeks an experienced consultant to lead climate risk, adaptation and resilience projects for infrastructure, transport and energy clients. You will mentor staff, grow the NZ practice, and manage engagements from proposal to delivery.

You’ll analyse climate data, engage stakeholders, and prepare technical reports while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to deliver resilient solutions for councils and asset owners across

Qualifications

• Experience undertaking climate risk assessments, adaptation planning and resilience strategy for infrastructure/local government/major asset owners.
• Established network across NZ's infrastructure/public sector market with proposals/work-winning experience.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and technical report writing across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with councils, infrastructure owners and central government agencies in NZ, with iwi/Māori stakeholder engagement.
• Tertiary qualification in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Engineering, Planning or related field.
• Familiarity with frameworks like TCFD/IS0 14090/14091 and GHG Protocol advantageous.
• Knowledge of rating tools such as Green Star/NABERSNZ/IS Rating/PAS 2080 is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Lead climate risk, adaptation and resilience projects for major infrastructure and government clients.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and coaching to consultants and graduates.
• Grow AECOM's Sustainability & Resilience practice across NZ.
• Manage client engagements from proposal to delivery.
• Develop practical adaptation and resilience strategies from climate projections and data.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops with clients and project partners.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports and client deliverables.
• Support environmental assessment and regulatory processes on major projects.

Skills

Climate risk

Adaptation

Resilience

Business development

Client relationships

Communication

Facilitation

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Sustainability/Environmental Science/Engineering/Planning

Tools

Green Star

NABERSNZ

IS Rating

PAS 2080

Job description

Company Description

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.

Job Description

AECOM's Sustainability and Resilience team partners with councils, infrastructure owners, utilities and government agencies to help plan, design and deliver more resilient infrastructure. We advise clients on climate risk, adaptation and resilience across nationally significant transport, water, energy and built environment projects.

We're looking for an experienced Sustainability and Resilience Consultant with a background advising infrastructure and public sector clients to join our national team in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland. You'll provide technical leadership on nationally significant projects while helping grow AECOM's Sustainability and Resilience practice across New Zealand.

Working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, you'll lead complex client engagements, mentor emerging consultants, build trusted client relationships and contribute to business development. This is an opportunity for an established consultant who enjoys combining technical excellence with strategic client advisory and helping develop the next generation of sustainability professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead climate risk, adaptation and resilience projects for major infrastructure, transport, water, energy and built environment clients.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and coaching to consultants, graduates and emerging professionals.
• Build trusted client relationships while identifying opportunities to grow AECOM's services in Climate Risk, Adaptation & Infrastructure Resilience.
• Lead proposals, bids and work-winning activities, contributing to the continued growth of the business.
• Independently manage client engagements from proposal through to successful project delivery.
• Analyse climate projections, technical data and risk assessments to develop practical adaptation and resilience strategies.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops and engage with clients, government agencies and project partners.
• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports, presentations and client deliverables.
• Support environmental assessment and regulatory approval processes on major infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

You'll ideally bring demonstrated experience undertaking climate risk assessments, adaptation planning and resilience strategy for infrastructure, local government or major asset owners. The ideal candidate will already have an established network across New Zealand's infrastructure, local government or public sector market, with experience developing trusted client relationships and contributing to work winning within a consulting environment.

• 5+ years' experience delivering climate risk, adaptation or resilience projects within an engineering, environmental or multidisciplinary consulting environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted client relationships, contribute to business development and support proposals and work-winning activities.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and technical report writing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with councils, infrastructure owners and central government agencies within New Zealand, with the cultural competency to engage respectfully with iwi and Māori partners and stakeholders.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Engineering, Planning or a related discipline.
• An understanding of industry frameworks and standards such as XRB Climate-related Disclosures, TCFD, ISSB, ISO 14090/14091, ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol would be advantageous
• Familiarity with sustainability rating tools including Green Star, NABERSNZ, IS Rating and PAS 2080 will also be highly regarded.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements available, aligned with the market and client facing role requirements
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Volunteer and representation leave
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better

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.

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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.