Application Guide

How to Apply for Technical Director, Capture Management Lead - Water

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global leader in infrastructure consulting, with a strong reputation for delivering innovative water and environmental solutions that build sustainable legacies. Working here means contributing to high-impact projects that address critical water challenges, with the support of a diverse, collaborative team and a commitment to technical excellence.

About This Role

As Technical Director, Capture Management Lead for Water, you will drive the pursuit and win of major water sector opportunities (typically £25m+), owning the strategy from identification through submission. This role is pivotal to AECOM's growth, requiring you to craft winning capture plans, foster cross-functional collaboration, and ensure operational excellence throughout the pursuit lifecycle.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a pipeline review meeting to assess new opportunities and prioritize pursuits. You'll then lead a strategy session with cross-functional teams to refine win themes and client engagement plans, followed by reviewing proposal drafts and governance checkpoints. The afternoon could involve a client meeting to discuss upcoming projects or a competitive analysis workshop, ending with a debrief on a recent submission.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • A seasoned capture management professional with 10+ years in the water or infrastructure sector, proven in leading £25m+ enterprise-level pursuits from opportunity identification to contract award.
  • A strategic leader who excels at developing win strategies, competitive analysis, and client positioning, with a track record of converting opportunities into won contracts.
  • An adept stakeholder manager who builds trust with clients, partners, and internal teams, and can navigate complex global and regional business lines.
  • A detail-oriented operator who ensures compliance with governance, budgets, and quality standards, while maintaining momentum and team morale through long pursuit cycles.

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Quantify your capture wins: Include specific contract values (preferably £25m+) and win rates to demonstrate your impact in the water sector.

2

Highlight cross-functional leadership: Provide examples of how you coordinated global/regional teams, especially in matrix organizations like AECOM.

3

Showcase water sector knowledge: Mention specific water challenges (e.g., AMP cycles, regulatory frameworks) and how your strategies addressed them.

4

Tailor your CV to AECOM's language: Use terms like 'pursuit lifecycle', 'capture plans', 'client positioning', and 'operational excellence' from the job description.

5

Demonstrate strategic thinking: Include a brief case study of a complex pursuit where you pivoted strategy based on competitive analysis or client feedback.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for winning major water projects and building sustainable legacies aligns with AECOM's mission.", 'Specific examples of capture management success in the water sector, including revenue impact and strategic innovations.', 'Your ability to lead geographically dispersed teams and foster collaboration across business lines.', "Understanding of AECOM's market position and how you can drive growth in the UK water sector."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → AECOM's recent water projects and case studies in the UK, especially those involving innovation or sustainability.
  • → The company's organizational structure for water and how global/regional business lines collaborate.
  • → Key competitors in the UK water infrastructure market (e.g., Jacobs, Atkins, Mott MacDonald) and AECOM's differentiators.
  • → The current AMP cycle (Asset Management Period) and upcoming water industry challenges like net zero and resilience.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through a recent £25m+ water pursuit you led from identification to submission. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?
2 How do you develop a capture plan and win strategy for a competitive water sector opportunity? Can you give an example?
3 Describe a time you had to align multiple stakeholders (e.g., regional teams, clients, partners) with conflicting priorities. How did you handle it?
4 What are the key challenges in the UK water market today (e.g., AMP8, regulatory changes), and how would you adapt capture strategies?
5 How do you ensure operational excellence and compliance with governance while maintaining pursuit momentum?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical skills without demonstrating strategic capture management experience.
  • Providing generic examples from unrelated sectors (e.g., defense or energy) without connecting them to water.
  • Failing to show how you manage the full pursuit lifecycle, including post-submission activities like debriefs and lessons learned.

📅 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

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Good luck with your application to AECOM!

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