Application Guide
How to Apply for Creative/Design Specialist III
at AECOM
🏢 About AECOM
AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that builds sustainable legacies through innovative design and engineering. Working here means contributing to large-scale projects that shape communities, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and digital innovation.
About This Role
As a Creative/Design Specialist III, you'll be the brand steward for AECOM, producing high-quality digital and print assets for proposals and marketing. Your work directly impacts how AECOM presents itself to clients, making you a key player in winning new business.
💡 A Day in the Life
Start your day checking emails and project updates, then jump into designing a proposal layout in InDesign while coordinating with the proposal manager. Midday, you might review a junior designer's work and provide feedback, then spend the afternoon refining graphics for a client presentation. You'll wrap up by updating your project tracker and preparing assets for print production.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For
- Expert in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and familiar with UX/UI tools like Figma or Sketch.
- Experienced in managing complex proposal design projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
- Able to coach junior designers and ensure brand consistency across all outputs.
- Comfortable working remotely with strong communication and self-management skills.
📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM
Tailor your portfolio to include proposal layouts and brand-compliant collateral, not just creative work.
Highlight any experience with AECOM or similar infrastructure/engineering firms in your cover letter.
Use specific examples of managing multiple projects and coaching junior designers in your resume.
Mention your understanding of sustainability and how design can communicate environmental impact.
Ensure your application materials themselves are impeccably designed and on-brand (clean, professional).
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your ability to balance creative excellence with strict brand guidelines.', 'Experience managing complex proposal design from concept to delivery.', 'Your leadership in mentoring junior designers and ensuring team quality.', "Alignment with AECOM's mission of building sustainable legacies through design."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review AECOM's latest sustainability report and how design supports their messaging.
- → Look at their recent project proposals and marketing materials to understand brand style.
- → Understand their remote work culture and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Slack).
- → Familiarize yourself with their core sectors: water, transportation, buildings, environment.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic portfolio without proposal or corporate design examples.
- Ignoring brand guidelines in your own application materials (e.g., using off-brand fonts or colors).
- Failing to demonstrate experience with coaching or reviewing others' work.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!