Associate Director - Team Lead, Building Structures

Role overview

AECOM’s Buildings + Places team is looking for a senior structural engineering leader to help shape major building projects in New Zealand and beyond. This position combines technical delivery, team leadership, client development, and business growth, with a clear progression path toward director-level leadership.

You will work closely with the National Structures Lead to strengthen operational performance, guide strategic priorities, and contribute to the long-term growth of the structures practice. The role is based in Auckland and supports flexible hybrid working.

What you’ll be doing

• Assist the National Structures Lead with strategic delivery and day-to-day operational improvement across the practice.
• Take responsibility for leading complex structural engineering assignments and ensuring strong technical outcomes across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance and mentor engineers to build capability, confidence, and collaboration.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with important clients, including ownership of selected priority accounts.
• Support business development through proposals, pursuits, account growth, and thought leadership activity.
• Promote new ways of working, including digital engineering and delivery approaches that raise quality and client value.
• Work with colleagues across New Zealand, Australia, and the wider global business to deliver strong solutions.
• Advance through a structured leadership pathway toward Director, supported by senior sponsorship and clear milestones.

Experience and background sought

This role suits an ambitious structural engineer who wants to expand beyond project delivery into people leadership, client management, and business strategy. Experience in healthcare and aviation projects is especially useful, and mission-critical project experience will be a strong advantage.

• Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status, or eligibility to obtain it.
• Proven experience delivering complex structural engineering projects within a consulting environment.
• Previous leadership exposure, with a strong interest in mentoring and developing others.
• Ability to build dependable client relationships and contribute to business growth.
• Commercial understanding, including involvement in proposals, pursuits, or strategic work.
• Strong written and verbal communication, along with stakeholder management skills.
• A collaborative approach and enthusiasm for innovation, digital delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Motivation to step into a broader leadership role with a defined path for progression.

Why join AECOM

• Flexible working arrangements, including alternative start and finish times and hybrid work options.
• Option to buy up to 6 additional weeks of annual leave each year.
• Volunteer leave and representation leave.
• Flexible public holidays, allowing you to swap Easter or other holidays for days that suit you better.

Additional information

AECOM welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, including candidates with disabilities, additional physical or mental health needs, and neurodiverse conditions. If adjustments are needed during the hiring process, the company encourages applicants to request support.

Applications are assessed as they are received, so the role may close sooner than expected.

All new hires must complete an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office as a condition of employment.

AECOM provides a broad range of compensation, benefits, and well-being programs, which may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability coverage, paid time off, leaves of absence, voluntary benefits, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance support, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings, and employee stock purchase plans, depending on employment status.

The company is committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace and maintains confidentiality in line with equal employment opportunity guidelines.