Associate Director- Transport Planning (Development Management)

Start here. Grow here. AECOM are looking for an Associate Director or experienced Principal Consultant to join our Development Planning and Management Team in the South East, based in either our London, St Albans or Birmingham office, to primarily to work on a Spatial Planning Contract for a key strategic client. We are seeking an individual competent in numerous aspects of transport planning to enable them to successfully advise on a range of transport planning matters, tailored to individual sites and surroundings. The role would be providing development management advice to this client to assist them in protecting the operation, safety and future performance of the Strategic Road Network. The individual would assist in leading the team, take responsibility for reporting to senior management and the client with regards to contractual obligations and operation. The candidate will act as a senior technical advisor and client lead, taking responsibility in reviewing relevant planning application documentation associated with development proposals affecting the Strategic Road Network (SRN). The role will involve overseeing complex and high-profile planning consultations, managing client relationships, guiding technical teams and helping to lead, develop and mentor a team of enthusiastic development management transport planners. Here’s what you’ll bring: Client and Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with the client team through taking ownership of numerous/ complex tasks, strong communication and organisational skills and exceptional technical ability. Experience of successful communication and liaison with public sector stakeholders, private developers and other third parties is essential. Project Delivery: Assisting in the overall delivery of the contract with regards to taking ownership of numerous/ complex tasks, managing deadlines, allocating resources, overseeing workload planning, budget preparation/ monitoring and client specific KPIs. You will lead on and oversee the review and delivery of complex transport planning documents and ensure they meet quality, budget, and timeline requirements. The ability to actively take part in discussions/ negotiations with regards to deliverables with multiple stakeholders and to lead on the technical review and coordination/ compilation of advice from AECOM specialists to act as the AECOM lead when reporting to the client, is essential. Providing support in the preparation of evidence for planning appeals, public inquiries, hearings and examinations will also be required. Technical Skills: A deep understanding of Transport Assessments and the wider planning process with the ability to critically review third party documents and associated information and successfully convey the outcomes confidently to the client/ developer’s consultant. It is expected that the candidate would have experience of the following: Trip Generation Trip Distribution/ Assignment Junction Capacity Modelling (JUNCTIONS/ LINSIG and awareness of microsimulation/ strategic modelling/ trigger mechanism negotiations) Mitigation suitability Input into the drafting of planning conditions In addition, experience of compiling or reviewing related transport documentation such as DMRB compliance reviews, GG104 Safety Risk Assessments, WCHARs, Road Safety Audits/ Documentation would be beneficial. Knowledge and/ or experience of working within the DCO process and Local Plan Examination process would also be advantageous. A key part of the role will be to provide technical assurance and sign-off of development management recommendations. Team Development: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of transport planners and consultants. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team. Promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring a supportive and equitable workplace. Come grow with us. We develop projects from concept through to operation providing engineering and construction services for multiyear, multimillion-dollar projects for major rail and transit agencies. Our specialists provide analytical and strategic expertise for every stage of a project And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customized to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days. Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? Here’s what we’re looking for: Degree in Transport Planning, Civil Engineering, Spatial/ Urban Planning, or a related field Membership (ideally Chartered) of a professional body such as the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), Transport Planning Society (TPS) or Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Extensive post-graduate experience in transport planning Strong leadership and team management capabilities with a proven track record in leading, developing and mentoring individuals and teams Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver results Comprehensive knowledge of transport planning principles, policies, and regulations in the UK Experience in transport modelling (strategic and local) Proficiency in commonly used transport planning tools and software 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! #transportplanning #developmentplanning At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment. 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 $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at 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 if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 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.