Position summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director - Environmental Impact Assessment to lead and manage multidisciplinary environmental inputs to large-scale development projects transforming UK infrastructure and helping achieve net zero. Working within AECOM’s 650-strong UK and Ireland Environment & Sustainability business, the role leads the preparation of EIA screening letters, Scoping Reports, and Environmental Statements across multiple consenting regimes (DCO, TCPA, TWA, hybrid Bill).

Why this role matters

The role covers a broad portfolio, energy generation (carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, solar, wind), energy distribution and transmission, strategic rail, highways and greenways, regeneration and portside developments, and projects across ecommerce, minerals and waste, water, defence, aviation, and commercial/residential/industrial sectors. It helps clients gain development consent while avoiding impacts and delivering benefits in line with the mitigation hierarchy.

Key responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary environmental inputs across projects to help clients gain development consent, leading preparation of EIA screening letters, Scoping Reports, and Environmental Statements, with technical review of specialist chapters, and managing resources, delegation, and project budgets.
• Collaborate as part of integrated design teams to identify environmental constraints, avoid impacts, and develop solutions per the mitigation hierarchy, working with internal supply teams and the wider business.
• Create by leading and supporting business opportunities and associated fee and technical proposal development.
• Inspire by supporting staff development and mentoring.
• Champion by promoting AECOM’s environmental services to internal and external audiences.

Team and stakeholders

The role works daily with technical experts in AECOM’s Environmental Impact team (a founding member of the IEMA EIA Quality Mark), within integrated design teams, and engages a wide range of stakeholders and clients.

Key details

This is a hybrid role based in Cardiff, open to part-time or full-time, within AECOM’s Environment business (DCS; Europe & India SBU). Newly hired employees attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office (ReqID J10160645).

Requirements

• Proven experience managing EIA projects, environmental assessment methodologies, and relevant planning legislation.
• Experience of Development Consent Orders (DCO) and/or Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAO).
• Ability to coordinate specialist technical inputs and work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, and experience managing project programmes, staff resources, and budgets.
• Confidence engaging a wide range of stakeholders and clients, with excellent verbal, written, and technical report-writing skills, including review and quality assurance.
• Degree in a relevant environmental discipline, preferably at Master’s level.
• Appropriate professional membership and Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status.
• Interest in line management, staff development, and mentoring.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and willingness to travel occasionally to client offices.