Application Guide

How to Apply for Water Capture Lead

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that builds sustainable legacies through innovative solutions in water, environment, and energy. With a strong focus on the UK and Ireland water industry, AECOM offers the opportunity to work on high-impact projects that address climate resilience and water security. Joining AECOM means being part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that values growth and technical excellence.

About This Role

As the Water Capture Lead, you will own and lead AECOM's largest and most strategic water bids (typically £35m+ revenue), guiding teams through all pursuit stages. You will shape winning solutions by defining execution strategies, selecting partners, developing consortiums, and managing risk and pricing. This role is impactful because you directly drive growth in critical sectors like Regulated Water, Strategic Resource Options, and Climate Resilience.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the bid team to review progress on a major £50m+ opportunity. You'll spend time engaging with a potential client to understand their strategic needs, then collaborate with technical leads and partners to shape the solution. Afternoon could involve reviewing risk registers, pricing models, and preparing for a gate review with senior leadership.

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🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • Proven experience in capture management or business development within the UK/Ireland water industry, with a track record of winning large-scale contracts (£35m+).
  • Strong client-facing skills and ability to build relationships with key stakeholders in regulated water, strategic resource, and climate resilience sectors.
  • Expertise in shaping winning solutions through early client and partner collaboration, including consortium development and risk management.
  • Leadership experience in guiding cross-functional teams through complex pursuit stages, from opportunity identification to bid submission and lessons learned.

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific water industry wins, especially those involving regulated water or strategic resource options, with quantified outcomes (e.g., contract value, win rate).

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with consortium building and partner selection for large bids, as this is a key responsibility.

3

Research AECOM's recent water projects in the UK/Ireland (e.g., Thames Tideway, Anglian Water alliances) and reference them to show your industry knowledge.

4

Emphasize your ability to lead through all pursuit stages, including client listening, win strategy, solution shaping, and post-bid debriefs.

5

Prepare to discuss how you've managed risk and pricing in complex bids, as this is a critical part of the role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Highlight your specific experience in capture management for water infrastructure bids, particularly in regulated water or climate resilience.', 'Demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with clients and partners to shape winning solutions.', 'Mention your understanding of the UK/Ireland water market dynamics and key players.', "Show enthusiasm for AECOM's mission of building sustainable legacies and how your skills align with their growth strategy."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AECOM's recent press releases and case studies on water projects in the UK/Ireland, especially those related to climate resilience and strategic resource options.
  • → Understand the regulatory landscape for water in the UK/Ireland, including Ofwat's priorities and AMP cycles.
  • → Familiarize yourself with AECOM's competitors in the water sector (e.g., Jacobs, Mott MacDonald) and what differentiates AECOM.
  • → Look into AECOM's sustainability commitments and how they integrate into water project delivery.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you led a major water bid from capture to win. What was your strategy, and how did you manage risks?
2 How do you approach partner selection and consortium development for large bids? Give an example.
3 How would you position AECOM for a Strategic Resource Options (SRO) opportunity? What are the key success factors?
4 Tell us about a time you incorporated client listening into your capture strategy. How did it impact the bid outcome?
5 What metrics do you use to track capture progress, and how do you ensure alignment with growth strategy?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference the UK/Ireland water market or specific sectors like Regulated Water or Climate Resilience.
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of leading large bid teams or managing consortiums; vague claims of 'bid management' are insufficient.
  • Ignoring the remote nature of the role; demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a distributed team and manage remote stakeholders.

📅 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!

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Good luck with your application to AECOM!

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