Job Information
AECOM Operations Lead - Planning & Communities in Nottingham, United Kingdom
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
Due to a change in Operations structure, we are now seeking an Operations Lead to support the Planning & Communities team as part of the Sub-Business Unit (SBU) Leadership Team. Your primary role will be to support the Planning & Communities Sub Business Unit Director, the Practice Leads and the Operations Director with the operational management of the team.
You will be responsible for supporting teams in developing, delivering, and reporting on their business plans and KPIs. You will have a view on both leading metrics (such as our Sources of Revenue and opportunities) and our delivery metrics (including cost utilisation and project performance) to take a view on the health of the business. You will provide early warnings of any challenges and provide recommended solutions to the SBU Director, Operations Director and Practice Leads. You will seek and deliver opportunities to make us more efficient and effective at delivery, supporting teams where necessary to make improvements.
You will play a key role in the opportunity management process to ensure the right types of work are identified and accounted for in any planning. Critical to this is managing revenue forecasting (SoR process) and supporting the Resourcing Lead in workload planning with a 6-to-12-month horizon.
You will also maintain a level of billable work through integrating with and providing support in project delivery on issues such as project and commercial management to our teams. Depending on your background and experience, you may also undertake technical work as a Lead Verifier or reviewer within your sphere of expertise.
The role will report into the Sub-Business Unit (SBU) Director, and you will line manage the Project Performance Managers within the Business Unit.
As Operations Lead, you'll have a direct impact on the success of the team and be at the forefront of shaping our future strategy and growth. We are committed to fostering your professional development with opportunities for leadership, technical expertise, and broader business management.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
Support the SBU Director and Operations Director in the financial planning process and monitoring the SBU performance against plan and outlook.
Support the SBU Director, the Practice Leads and Operations Director in forecasting the Cost Utilisation (CU) of the Sub-Business Unit and provide early warnings and lead interventions to help the team in achieving utilisation targets.
Manage the Sources of Revenue (SoR) forecast process through working closely with the Practice Leads and the practice-level operations leads to advise on the SoR outlook. Report outputs to the Resourcing Lead to identify under/over utilisation issues ahead of time and plan to fill gaps or workshare as necessary.
Support the SBU’s gross margin improvement plan by driving adherence and improvement to project management processes particularly with respect to change management, including engagement with the Commercial Teams, and driving EC Usage.
Provide support with bidding and ensure that all bids are managed in line with the E&S and EWE governance processes.
Monitor and control the key Sub-Business Unit KPIs such as CU, GM, DQI, AR/WIP, EC Usage and EBITA
Support a transparent culture where both risks and opportunities to EBITA and cash flow are proactively identified, assessed, and managed.
Other activities
Line Manage and lead the Project Performance Team which is made up of the current Business Project Managers
Perform the Project Approver 2 (PD2) role on the project portfolio in the SBU
Collaborate with the Project Managers, Project Approvers (Director) and Finance to understand project challenges, risks, opportunities and escalate/involve the right individuals (Commercial, Legal, Finance and Operations Director as appropriate).
With the support of the Project Performance Team, drive compliance with Project Reviews, Healthy Starts, Tier 1s, DQI Target, Contingency Management and Cash Performance.
Review and Approve GNGs for ‘Low Impact Level’ projects in line with the delegation set out by the Operations Director
Champion a safety culture and ensure projects have safety plans, budgets for safety and allowance for safety activities
Qualifications
About you
We’re looking for an experienced, proactive leader with excellent communication skills and a track record in managing operations and driving business success. You’ll bring expertise in project delivery, client management, and financial oversight, and can think critically and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
You need to be a great listener, that is able to build strong relationships across the team and foster a culture of collaboration, open communication, trust and mutual support. A passion for team growth and development is essential as you’ll be mentoring others and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity.
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 ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.
Additional Information
The role may be Level 7 or 8 (Technical or Associate Director), depending on your experience and technical background.
This role can be based in any of our major UK or Ireland offices with flexibility for remote or hybrid working arrangements depending on location
Closing date is Tuesday 21st February 2025.
Interview dates to follow (anticipated week commencing 24th February 2025).
During the interview, you will be expected to prepare a 15-minute presentation covering the following
Your applicable experience for the role as per the job description
What do you see as the key focus areas of the P&C Operations Lead role and how would you approach delivering against these to improve business performance?
How would you balance the requirements of the role with other existing responsibilities (project or bid work)?
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 ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
ReqID: J10124252
Business Line: Environment
Business Group: DCS
Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India
Career Area: Business Management
Work Location Model: Hybrid
Legal Entity: AECOM Limited