Associate Director, GIS

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director, GIS to lead complex, multi-project geospatial programs while setting technical standards, architecting scalable solutions, and growing capability. Balance hands-on technical leadership with team development, operation oversight, and consultative client engagement.

Strong preference for experience supporting UK-based environmental programs (e.g. linear infrastructure, offshore/onshore wind, solar, carbon capture & storage, master planning, permitting & Environmental Impact Assessments)

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule to include both office and remote work opportunities and can be based in  one of the following South Africa centers: Centurion (Pretoria), Durban or Bellville (Cape Town).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Technical Leadership

• Contribute to the geospatial technical strategy, standards, and patterns for enterprise‑scale delivery.
• Implement solutions spanning data models, analytics workflows, ArcGIS Enterprise patterns, and automation—optimizing for accuracy, performance, scalability, and security.
• Drive automation and quality using Python/ArcPy, FME (Form & Flow), ModelBuilder, and reproducible workflows; apply Arcade where appropriate.
• Deliver modern visualization and UX via ArcGIS Experience Builder (Web Experience) and Dashboards and enable field operations with Survey123 and Field Maps.
• Ensure robust enterprise/file geodatabase stewardship (schema design, standards, metadata, versioning) and integration with CAD/BIM, databases ( SQL), and APIs.
• Apply advanced analytics patterns (e.g., multi‑criteria decision analysis for site selection) and support emerging digital‑twin use cases.

 Program & Project Delivery

• Oversee delivery across large/complex or multi‑disciplinary programs; assure scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Govern consistent workflows, documentation, metadata, and QA/QC, including internal/client Technical Quality Review (TQR) and senior technical reviews.
• Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and interfaces with engineering, environmental, and digital teams; continuously improve workflows and delivery efficiency.

Client Consulting & Growth

• Act as a senior technical advisor, translating complex needs into practical geospatial solutions that deliver measurable value.
• Lead/shape proposals, cost estimates, solution design, and pricing in alignment with approved business governance; contribute to market strategy and strategic pursuits.
• Build, maintain and grow long‑term client relationships, with emphasis on Environment sector needs and value.
• Proactively enhance the profile and market presence of the Geospatial business by leading client development workshops, producing and presenting thought leadership, and contributing to industry award submissions.

People Operations & Safety

• Lead and develop a high‑performing team; mentor and line‑manage staff, set expectations, and support clear development pathways.
• Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of the Geospatial team, ensuring that your team is collaborative while balancing resources across portfolios; monitor utilization, margin, and delivery health; intervene early on risks.
• Champion a culture of standards, governance, reusability, and continuous automation across regions/offices.
• Participate in SHE (Safety, Health & Environment) activities and ensure personal and team responsibilities are met.

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director, GIS to lead complex, multi-project geospatial programs while setting technical standards, architecting scalable solutions, and growing capability. Balance hands-on technical leadership with team development, operation oversight, and consultative client engagement.

Strong preference for experience supporting UK-based environmental programs (e.g. linear infrastructure, offshore/onshore wind, solar, carbon capture & storage, master planning, permitting & Environmental Impact Assessments)

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule to include both office and remote work opportunities and can be based in  one of the following South Africa centers: Centurion (Pretoria), Durban or Bellville (Cape Town).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Technical Leadership

• Contribute to the geospatial technical strategy, standards, and patterns for enterprise‑scale delivery.
• Implement solutions spanning data models, analytics workflows, ArcGIS Enterprise patterns, and automation—optimizing for accuracy, performance, scalability, and security.
• Drive automation and quality using Python/ArcPy, FME (Form & Flow), ModelBuilder, and reproducible workflows; apply Arcade where appropriate.
• Deliver modern visualization and UX via ArcGIS Experience Builder (Web Experience) and Dashboards and enable field operations with Survey123 and Field Maps.
• Ensure robust enterprise/file geodatabase stewardship (schema design, standards, metadata, versioning) and integration with CAD/BIM, databases ( SQL), and APIs.
• Apply advanced analytics patterns (e.g., multi‑criteria decision analysis for site selection) and support emerging digital‑twin use cases.

 Program & Project Delivery

• Oversee delivery across large/complex or multi‑disciplinary programs; assure scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Govern consistent workflows, documentation, metadata, and QA/QC, including internal/client Technical Quality Review (TQR) and senior technical reviews.
• Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and interfaces with engineering, environmental, and digital teams; continuously improve workflows and delivery efficiency.

Client Consulting & Growth

• Act as a senior technical advisor, translating complex needs into practical geospatial solutions that deliver measurable value.
• Lead/shape proposals, cost estimates, solution design, and pricing in alignment with approved business governance; contribute to market strategy and strategic pursuits.
• Build, maintain and grow long‑term client relationships, with emphasis on Environment sector needs and value.
• Proactively enhance the profile and market presence of the Geospatial business by leading client development workshops, producing and presenting thought leadership, and contributing to industry award submissions.

People Operations & Safety

• Lead and develop a high‑performing team; mentor and line‑manage staff, set expectations, and support clear development pathways.
• Contribute to the wider strategic leadership of the Geospatial team, ensuring that your team is collaborative while balancing resources across portfolios; monitor utilization, margin, and delivery health; intervene early on risks.
• Champion a culture of standards, governance, reusability, and continuous automation across regions/offices.
• Participate in SHE (Safety, Health & Environment) activities and ensure personal and team responsibilities are met.

Building sustainable legacies through innovative infrastructure and environmental solutions.