Associate Director Natural Capital
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.