Associate Director - Cost Management
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About the Role
Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world.
Key Skills for This Role
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Overview
**Company Description** **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.
Job Description
The **Associate Director** provides senior leadership within the Cost Management business, with accountability for the strategic direction, commercial performance, and delivery excellence of a significant portfolio of complex mixed-use, infrastructure, and masterplanning projects from feasibility through to tender, construction, and close-out.
The role combines deep technical authority with high-level client leadership, portfolio oversight, and business stewardship.
The Associate Director is a trusted advisor to clients, responsible for shaping cost strategies, influencing investment decisions, managing risk, and ensuring that all cost management outputs meet the highest standards of quality, governance, and commercial rigor in line with Company and Client requirements.
In addition to leading major commissions, the Associate Director plays a pivotal role in developing people, growing key accounts and frameworks, strengthening market positioning, and contributing to the overall leadership and profitability of the Cost Management practice.
Client, Portfolio & Strategic Leadership
- Act as senior client lead and trusted commercial advisor across a portfolio of major projects and key accounts.
- Provide strategic cost and commercial advice to support client decision-making at programme and portfolio level.
- Lead project set-up, scope definition, delivery strategy, and commercial governance from appointment through completion.
- Build, maintain, and grow long-term client relationships, supporting framework success and repeat commissions.
- Represent the business in senior client meetings, steering committees, and executive reviews.
Business Development & Market Growth
- Lead and support business development activities, including bids, proposals, fee strategies, and interviews.
- Contribute to the growth and expansion of frameworks, key accounts, and priority market sectors.
- Support development of service offerings, cost tools, benchmarks, and thought leadership initiatives.
- Actively identify and convert new opportunities in collaboration with regional and sector leadership.
Team Leadership & Resource Management
- Provide leadership and oversight to multiple project teams across a diverse portfolio.
- Plan, allocate, and manage resources to achieve delivery excellence within agreed fees, programmes, and utilisation targets.
- Lead mentoring, coaching, and performance development of Associates, Senior QSs, QSs, and Graduates.
- Support succession planning, capability development, and retention of high-performing talent.
Technical & Commercial Excellence
- Provide senior technical leadership across feasibility, concept, schematic, and detailed design cost planning.
- Oversee and challenge cost models, benchmarks, risk allowances, contingency strategies, and value engineering proposals.
- Approve high-value cost plans, reports, cash flows, and earned value assessments prior to issue.
- Lead or oversee procurement strategies, RFP documentation, tender evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
- Provide senior oversight on contract administration matters including valuations, variations, claims, and final accounts.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying
- MRICS
- Typically 12-15+ years’ experience delivering major infrastructure, mixed-use, or complex development projects.
- Proven track record delivering large-scale, mixed-use and masterplanning developments
- Strong understanding of early-stage cost modelling, feasibility studies, and development economics
Additional Information** **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.
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