Major Projects Director

Company Description

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.

Job Description

We are shaping the future of transport infrastructure across Australia and globally. We are hiring a Major Projects Director to lead and deliver complex, high-value, high-profile transport programs — including projects such as high-speed rail — driving outcomes across multidisciplinary design teams, stakeholder relationships and major delivery packages. This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in major project environments, bringing strategic vision, delivery excellence and the ability to lead teams through complexity and change.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead end-to-end delivery of multi-billion-dollar transport programs (including projects such as high-speed rail), with accountability for scope, schedule, cost, risk, safety and quality.
• Direct and integrate multidisciplinary design teams (rail, civil, tunnels, stations/structures, systems, approvals) and manage complex technical interfaces and dependencies.
• Provide strong governance and design assurance across packages, embedding program controls, change management, reporting and decision frameworks.
• Build trusted client relationships and engage senior stakeholders across government, delivery partners, JV/alliances and regulators, representing AECOM at executive level.
• Lead commercial strategy across contracts and procurement (alliances, D&C, ECI, PPP and other collaborative models), ensuring value, performance and compliance.
• Champion digital delivery (BIM, digital engineering, model-based design) to drive coordination, quality and efficiency at every stage.
• Embed sustainability, resilience and social outcomes in project delivery, aligning with client objectives and community expectations.
• Shape pursuits and strategic positioning, strengthening our major projects pipeline and market presence.
• Mentor, grow and energise high-performing teams, fostering accountability, wellbeing and continuous improvement.
• Oversee readiness, commissioning and handover planning to ensure safe, timely and fit-for-purpose outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership of major infrastructure programs in transport (rail/metro highly regarded), with adjacent experience (tunnels, highways, aviation, water or energy) welcomed.
• Strong design leadership and design management capability across complex, multidisciplinary environments and interfaces.
• Demonstrated success in collaborative delivery environments (alliances, D&C, ECI, PPP), including commercial stewardship, risk management and performance governance.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills with credibility at senior client, partner and board/steering committee levels.
• A leadership style that builds culture, drives accountability and creates momentum through change.
• Proficiency in program controls (planning, cost/EV, risk, change), reporting and assurance.
• Tertiary qualification in engineering, project management or a related discipline; chartered status (e.g., CPEng/RPEQ) or postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
• Ability to travel as required and lead geographically dispersed teams.

Additional Information:

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, job-sharing and hybrid work options.
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year.
• Volunteer and representation leave.
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better.

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around Australia. We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.