Application Guide
How to Apply for Principal Landscape Architect (UK WIDE)
at AECOM
🏢 About AECOM
AECOM stands out for its commitment to building sustainable legacies through innovative infrastructure and environmental solutions, with a global reach that allows for impactful work on major projects. Their focus on regeneration, energy transition, and infrastructure schemes aligns with forward-thinking professionals seeking to shape the future of landscapes. The company's emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaboration and remote work flexibility in the UK makes it an attractive choice for those valuing both innovation and work-life balance.
About This Role
As a Principal Landscape Architect at AECOM, you'll lead regional and global projects in regeneration, energy transition, and infrastructure, influencing design from early stages to create lasting landscape legacies. This role involves managing project responsibilities, including financial control, site surveys, and technical documentation, while providing technical leadership and mentoring to teams. Your work will directly contribute to sustainable development and client relationship building across the UK.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve leading virtual meetings with multi-disciplinary teams to discuss design progress on a regeneration project, conducting site surveys remotely or in-person as needed, and preparing technical documentation like LVIAs. You could also manage project finances, mentor junior staff, and develop client relationships through calls or emails, all while leveraging software tools like AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Cloud to create impactful landscape solutions.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For
- Demonstrates technical competence in preparing LVIAs, TVIAs, and evidence-base documents following UK best practices, with thorough knowledge of the UK planning system as it relates to landscape architecture.
- Has proven experience in project management, including financial control, reporting, and program management, ideally within large-scale infrastructure or regeneration projects.
- Is proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Cloud, with additional skills in ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civils 3D, Revit, LSS, or ProjectWise being highly advantageous.
- Possesses strong leadership abilities to mentor teams, develop client relationships, and work effectively in multi-disciplinary environments on major projects.
📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM
Highlight specific experience with LVIAs, TVIAs, and evidence-base documents in your resume, using examples from UK-based projects to demonstrate compliance with local planning systems.
Emphasize your project management skills, particularly financial control and reporting, by quantifying achievements (e.g., managed budgets over £X or improved project efficiency by Y%).
Tailor your application to AECOM's focus on sustainability and innovation by mentioning relevant projects in regeneration, energy transition, or infrastructure that align with their company description.
Showcase proficiency in required software (AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud) and any additional tools like ArcGIS or Revit, possibly through a portfolio link or brief descriptions in your resume.
Demonstrate your ability to work remotely and in multi-disciplinary teams by describing past collaborative experiences and outcomes in a UK-wide or global context.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express alignment with AECOM's mission of building sustainable legacies through innovative infrastructure and environmental solutions, citing specific projects or interests in regeneration and energy transition.", "Detail your technical expertise in LVIAs, TVIAs, and the UK planning system, providing brief examples of how you've applied this knowledge to achieve successful outcomes.", "Highlight leadership and mentoring experiences, emphasizing how you've influenced design from early stages and managed project responsibilities, including financial control.", "Mention your proficiency with key software and tools, and how they've enabled you to contribute to multi-disciplinary teams and major projects effectively."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore AECOM's recent projects in the UK, especially those related to regeneration, energy transition, and infrastructure, to understand their impact and approach.
- → Review AECOM's sustainability initiatives and corporate reports to align your application with their commitment to environmental solutions and innovation.
- → Look into AECOM's company culture and values, focusing on their emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaboration and remote work policies in the UK context.
- → Investigate industry trends in landscape architecture, particularly regarding UK planning systems and best practices for LVIAs and TVIAs, to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without tailoring it to AECOM's focus on sustainability, innovation, and major projects in regeneration and infrastructure.
- Failing to provide specific examples of experience with LVIAs, TVIAs, or the UK planning system, which are critical technical requirements for this role.
- Overlooking the importance of project management and financial control in your resume or interview, as this role involves significant responsibility in these areas.
📅 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!