Application Guide

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

at AECOM

๐Ÿข About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that tackles complex water challenges with innovative, sustainable solutions. Working here means contributing to projects that shape communities and protect natural resources, all within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that values technical excellence and strategic growth.

About This Role

As Technical Director, Capture Management Lead for Water, you will own the end-to-end pursuit strategy for high-value water sector opportunities (ยฃ25m+), driving win strategies and client engagement across AECOM's global and regional teams. Your impact is direct: securing transformative water infrastructure projects that build sustainable legacies.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a pipeline review meeting to assess new water opportunities, followed by a strategy session with a pursuit team for a ยฃ30m wastewater treatment bid. You'd then connect with a key client to discuss upcoming frameworks, review bid budgets with finance, and end the day refining a win theme for a competitive proposal, ensuring alignment with AECOM's sustainability goals.

๐ŸŽฏ Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • A seasoned capture management professional with 10+ years in the water or infrastructure sector, specifically experienced in leading pursuits of ยฃ25m+ revenue.
  • Strategic thinker who can develop and execute winning capture plans, including competitive analysis, team composition, and bid governance.
  • Exceptional client relationship builder with a track record of nurturing long-term partnerships and understanding client needs in the water industry.
  • Operationally savvy, skilled in managing bid budgets, timelines, and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality proposals under pressure.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific water sector pursuits you've led, including contract values, win rates, and strategic outcomes.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your capture management experience to AECOM's mission of building sustainable legacies through water solutions.

3

Research AECOM's recent major water projects (e.g., Thames Tideway, UK water frameworks) and reference how your approach aligns with their delivery model.

4

Demonstrate your understanding of the UK water regulatory landscape (Ofwat, AMP cycles) and how it influences capture strategy.

5

Prepare a concise example of a time you turned around a losing pursuit or identified a game-changing opportunity in the water sector.

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your proven ability to lead enterprise-critical water pursuits from identification to submission, with specific revenue examples.', "Highlight your strategic approach to client relationship management and how you've built trust with water utility clients or government agencies.", 'Showcase your experience in cross-functional team leadership, particularly coordinating global/regional resources for complex bids.', "Demonstrate your knowledge of AECOM's water portfolio and how your skills directly contribute to their growth in the UK and global water market."]

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Review AECOM's recent press releases and case studies on water projects in the UK, especially those involving frameworks or major capital programs.
  • โ†’ Understand AECOM's organizational structure for water: global business lines, regional teams, and how capture management integrates with technical delivery.
  • โ†’ Study the UK water regulatory environment, including Ofwat's price review cycles (AMP7/AMP8) and key client priorities like leakage reduction and resilience.
  • โ†’ Look into AECOM's sustainability commitments (e.g., net zero by 2030) and how they factor into water project pursuits.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a specific water pursuit you led that exceeded ยฃ25m. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?
2 How do you balance competitive positioning with realistic pricing in a bid? Give an example from the water sector.
3 Walk us through your approach to building a diversified pipeline of water opportunities. How do you qualify leads?
4 How do you handle governance and bid budget constraints when the pursuit team disagrees on priorities?
5 What trends in the UK water industry (e.g., AMP8, net zero, digital twins) do you think will shape capture strategy in the next 5 years?
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic CV that lacks water-specific capture achievementsโ€”this role demands sector expertise, not just general sales.
  • Avoid overemphasizing technical engineering skills; this is a strategic capture role, not a hands-on design position.
  • Don't neglect to mention your experience with bid governance and budgets; operational discipline is key for enterprise pursuits.

๐Ÿ“… 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

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AECOM!