Associate Director Natural Capital - job 1 of 2

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We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

What your new role will entail;

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director Natural Capital to join our Natural Capital & Environmental Net Gain team which is part of our Nature Unit. This role is flexible to location (members of the team are currently based in London, Edinburgh and Newcastle), as well as taking advantage of our flexible hybrid working model.

The team works across all aspects of the natural capital agenda including natural capital accounting and appraisal, environmental valuation, nature recovery strategy, environmental net gain analysis, and nature markets.

Our clients and projects cover public, private and third sector organisations both in the UK and internationally across a range of sectors including water, energy, agriculture, forestry, and transport. 

As an Associate Director Natural Capital in our team, you will be involved in:

• Playing a lead role in the development of the business strategy for the team, identifying business opportunities, working closely with the Technical Director Natural Capital and the Nature Director
• Contributing to business development by developing client relationships, writing proposals, marketing and thought leadership initiatives, and continuously improving our service offering to clients
• Designing, managing, and delivering projects and liaising directly with clients
• Research and analysis; reviewing technical work produced by other team members and providing guidance on methods and analysis.
• Prioritising tasks and meeting commitments on an on-going basis and taking ownership and responsibility for the timely completion and quality of work 
• Managing projects in alignment with the AECOM project management principles and making sure projects are delivered on time within budget 
• Leading and participating in project team meetings, client meetings and internal meetings
• Providing ideas and potential solutions for more effective environmental and sustainability outcomes and proactively promoting best practice and innovation across our business. 

Examples of recent and on-going projects:

• Developing catchment natural capital accounts for a water company.
• Developing a site-based natural capital account and analysis of investment scenarios to deliver best value for money of its natural assets.
• Providing advice and analysis for land-based carbon opportunities to meet business net zero commitments.
• Development of frameworks for integrating environmental and community impacts into an economic appraisal of electricity transmission options. 
• Working with our digital team to develop a rapid natural capital assessment tool which includes valuation of 10 key ecosystem services.
• Developing a route map for  green finance opportunities for a public sector organisation to better inform nature projects for funding and finance.  

Being part of the team;

The Natural Capital and Environmental Net Gain team is a small, multi-disciplinary group that includes environmental economists and consultants with backgrounds in ecology and science. Currently based in Edinburgh, London, and Newcastle, the team operates with hybrid working patterns, and the role can be based at any AECOM office across the UK&I. Known for being friendly and collaborative, the team works closely with various other AECOM groups, such as Carbon & Advisory, Digital Environment, and international teams in the US and Australia.

The team supports clients in achieving business objectives and contributing to nature policy through services like environmental valuation, natural capital accounting, cost-benefit analysis, nature advisory services, and opportunities for environmental net gain and nature-based solutions. This role offers an exciting opportunity to apply natural capital and nature advisory skills to projects that make a positive impact by integrating nature into strategy and decision-making.

Here’s what we will need from you;

• The ideal candidate would be able to demonstrate  a breadth of experience in nature positive strategy and application of natural capital.
• You should have a technical specialism that will advance the work of the NCENG team. This may include nature policy or strategy, nature markets, nature metrics, nature framework assessment and reporting.
• As a senior member of the NCENG team, key responsibilities in leading projects to successful delivery and helping coordinate and direct the activities of the team.
• Ability to provide substantial analytical support and advice and quality assurance to the team.

• Creativity and ability to propose solutions to practical issues on projects such as data limitations and time constraints.
• Ability to seek and bid for new project opportunities for the team

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. 

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! 

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more! 

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody). 

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [email protected]  if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.