Principal / Associate Director | Buildings

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AECOM seeks a Principal or Associate Director to lead the Auckland Buildings & Places team, steering design management and delivery of complex multidisciplinary building projects from concept to completion in NZ and Australia. The role blends strategic leadership with delivery, mentoring other technical leaders and strengthening client relationships to drive growth. Ideal candidates hold a degree in Engineering or built environment with experience in multidisciplinary design and design risk and budget management; Chartered status or progress toward it is highly regarded. Tips: tailor your CV to show leadership of integrated teams and client engagement, highlight concrete outcomes, and be ready for in-person Day 1 onboarding. They offer flexible work, generous leave and commitment to diversity.

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.

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

Job Description

Lead multidisciplinary design on some of New Zealand's most complex and iconic building projects.

At AECOM, we're shaping the future of the built environment. From healthcare and aviation to commercial, defence and education, our Buildings team delivers projects that make a lasting impact on communities across New Zealand and Australia.

We're looking for an experienced Principal or Associate Director to join our Auckland Buildings & Places team. This opportunity is ideal for an engineering leader who has progressed from a technical discipline into multidisciplinary design leadership and enjoys bringing together diverse teams to deliver exceptional project outcomes.

In this role, you'll lead the design and delivery of complex building projects, working alongside talented engineers, architects and specialists across New Zealand, Australia and AECOM's global network. You'll combine strategic leadership with hands-on project delivery, helping clients solve complex challenges while mentoring the next generation of technical leaders.

As a senior leader within our Buildings & Places business, you'll play a key role in delivering technically excellent, commercially successful projects while strengthening client relationships and contributing to the continued growth of our practice.

• Lead the design management and technical delivery of complex multidisciplinary building projects from concept through to completion.
• Bring together integrated teams across structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, fire and specialist disciplines to achieve outstanding project outcomes.
• Drive project performance across programme, commercial, quality and design risk objectives.
• Build trusted client relationships and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, creating an inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Support business development through proposals, bids and strategic client engagement.
• Champion technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across project delivery.
• Collaborate with colleagues across New Zealand, Australia and AECOM's global business to bring the best capability to every project.

Qualifications

We're interested in hearing from experienced Design Managers, Engineering Managers, Principal Engineers, Project Directors or Associate Directors who have built their careers within an engineering consultancy and progressed into multidisciplinary design leadership.

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes you could still be a great fit for this role. Please apply, all applications will be considered.

You'll bring:

• A degree in Engineering or another relevant built environment discipline.
• Experience leading the design and delivery of complex multidisciplinary building projects within a consulting environment.
• A strong understanding of design management, programme delivery, quality assurance and design risk management.
• The ability to successfully lead integrated project teams and coordinate multiple engineering disciplines.
• Strong commercial awareness, including experience managing project budgets, programmes and client expectations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring and developing technical professionals.
• Experience contributing to proposals, bids and business development activities.
• Chartered status, or working towards chartership, will be highly regarded.

Additional Information

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part-time, job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year         
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

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 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.