Application Guide

How to Apply for Program Manager

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that stands out for its commitment to building sustainable legacies through innovative solutions in transportation, water, energy, and environmental projects. In New South Wales, they're at the forefront of major infrastructure developments like Sydney Metro, Western Sydney Airport, and renewable energy initiatives, offering professionals the chance to work on nationally significant projects with lasting community impact.

About This Role

This Program Manager role involves leading large-scale infrastructure programs within an integrated delivery partner model, where you'll coordinate multiple workstreams and disciplines while managing financial performance and stakeholder relationships. You'll be responsible for establishing governance frameworks and ensuring alignment with client priorities on projects that shape New South Wales' infrastructure landscape, making this role crucial for delivering sustainable outcomes that serve communities for decades.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning stand-ups with integrated delivery teams across multiple workstreams, reviewing financial forecasts and progress reports, followed by client meetings to align on priorities and address variations. You'd spend afternoons on governance reviews, risk assessments, and coordinating with discipline leads to ensure program integration, while constantly balancing contractual requirements with collaborative problem-solving.

🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • Has 8+ years experience leading large-scale infrastructure programs ($100M+) within integrated delivery partner models, with specific examples from transport, water, or energy sectors in Australia
  • Demonstrates expertise in managing full project lifecycles from initiation to close-out, with proven ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and compliance requirements in NSW
  • Possesses strong financial acumen with experience in forecasting, billing variations, and margin delivery on infrastructure projects, backed by quantifiable results
  • Shows exceptional stakeholder management skills, particularly with government agencies and contractors in collaborative delivery frameworks

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Quantify your infrastructure program experience with specific project values, team sizes, and delivery metrics (e.g., 'Led $250M transport program with 50+ team members, delivering 15% under budget')

2

Highlight your experience with integrated delivery partner models specifically - mention frameworks like Alliance, Early Contractor Involvement, or Collaborative Contracting used in NSW infrastructure

3

Research and reference AECOM's current NSW projects (like Sydney Metro West or Pacific Highway upgrades) to show genuine interest in their local portfolio

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize both technical delivery AND relationship management skills, as this role requires balancing contractual obligations with collaborative partnership

5

Include specific examples of how you've driven sustainability outcomes on previous projects, aligning with AECOM's 'sustainable legacies' mission

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with integrated delivery partner models on large-scale infrastructure programs in NSW or similar Australian jurisdictions', 'Specific examples of managing program financial performance including forecasting accuracy, margin delivery, and variation management', 'How your approach to governance and stakeholder management aligns with collaborative delivery frameworks', "Your understanding of AECOM's sustainability focus and how you've contributed to sustainable outcomes on previous infrastructure projects"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • AECOM's current major projects in NSW (check their project portfolio and recent media releases)
  • The specific integrated delivery partner models commonly used in NSW infrastructure (Alliance, ECI, D&C)
  • AECOM's Sustainability Report and their 'Sustainable Legacies' strategy implementation
  • Recent infrastructure announcements and priorities from NSW Government (Transport for NSW, Infrastructure NSW)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience managing financial performance on a large infrastructure program - how did you handle forecasting, billing variations, and margin pressure?
2 Walk us through how you've established governance frameworks within an integrated delivery partner model - what challenges did you face?
3 How do you balance client priorities with contractual obligations when they conflict in a collaborative delivery environment?
4 What strategies have you used to ensure regulatory compliance on complex infrastructure projects in NSW?
5 Tell us about a time you had to manage multiple workstreams and disciplines - how did you ensure alignment and integration?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic project management examples without specific infrastructure context or integrated delivery experience
  • Focusing only on technical delivery without demonstrating stakeholder management and collaborative skills
  • Applying with a generic resume that doesn't highlight experience with the specific requirements mentioned (integrated models, financial performance, lifecycle management)

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AECOM!