Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Consultant, Advisory

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that builds sustainable legacies through innovative solutions. Working here means contributing to large-scale projects that shape communities and the environment, from transportation and water systems to environmental remediation. Their commitment to sustainability and technical excellence offers consultants the chance to work on impactful, high-profile engagements.

About This Role

As a Senior Consultant in Advisory, you'll lead workstreams on client engagements, using frameworks to deconstruct complex problems and synthesize actionable insights. You'll conduct stakeholder interviews, build financial models, and leverage tools like ArcGIS and Python to derive data-driven recommendations. This role is impactful because you directly influence client strategy and outcomes in infrastructure and environmental sectors.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning check-in with your engagement team to review progress on a client workstream, followed by analyzing data in Python or ArcGIS to model economic impacts. Afternoon could include a stakeholder interview or preparing a slide deck for a client presentation, with time set aside to contribute to a proposal for a new project.

🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • Strong numerical reasoning and structured problem-solving skills, with experience applying frameworks (e.g., market sizing, DCF, CBA) in consulting or similar environments.
  • Proficiency in analytical tools such as ArcGIS, Python, R, or Stata, and ability to create executive-ready presentations (slide decks, dashboards).
  • Exceptional communication skills, comfortable presenting complex insights to C-suite audiences and facilitating stakeholder interviews.
  • Self-directed and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple tasks in a high-tempo client-facing environment while contributing to business development (pitch decks, proposals).

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific quantitative projects, especially those involving market sizing, DCF, CBA, or geospatial analysis – use metrics and outcomes.

2

In your cover letter, mention AECOM's sustainability focus and connect your past work to their mission of building sustainable legacies.

3

Showcase any experience with ArcGIS, Python, or Tableau by describing a concrete analysis you performed that drove a decision.

4

Prepare a portfolio or case study of a previous consulting engagement where you led a workstream and delivered client-ready deliverables.

5

Research AECOM's recent projects (e.g., infrastructure, environmental) and reference one in your application to demonstrate genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Highlight your ability to deconstruct complex problems and apply solution frameworks (e.g., from strategy consulting or analytics roles).', 'Emphasize experience with stakeholder interviews and synthesizing inputs into executive presentations.', "Demonstrate proficiency with analytical tools (ArcGIS, Python, Tableau) and how you've used them to derive insights.", "Show alignment with AECOM's mission of sustainable development and your interest in infrastructure/environmental projects."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review AECOM's recent sustainability reports and case studies on their website to understand their project portfolio and values.
  • Look up their Advisory practice areas (e.g., strategy, economics, digital) to see how this role fits into the broader team.
  • Check news about AECOM's major contracts or partnerships in infrastructure or environmental sectors to discuss in interviews.
  • Understand their competitors (e.g., Jacobs, WSP) and how AECOM differentiates itself in the advisory space.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through a time you used a structured framework to solve a complex problem. What was the outcome?
2 How would you approach a market sizing problem for a new infrastructure project? Walk me through your methodology.
3 Describe a situation where you had to present data-driven insights to a skeptical C-suite audience. How did you handle it?
4 What experience do you have with ArcGIS or geospatial analysis? Can you give an example of how it influenced a recommendation?
5 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple client deliverables with tight deadlines?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference AECOM's specific focus on sustainability and infrastructure.
  • Overlooking the importance of quantitative and geospatial skills – failing to provide concrete examples of using Python, ArcGIS, or financial modeling.
  • Being too vague about your role in past projects – be specific about leading workstreams and delivering client-ready outputs.

📅 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!