Senior Associate Director - Resources + Industry

AECOM is seeking a Senior Associate Director - Resources + Industry to be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Centurion. This position will support a team locally based in South Africa and Global Teams. As a part of AECOM's culture, it offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement which accommodates both office and out-of-office work schedules.

About Enterprise Capabilities

Fundamental to our Think and Act Globally strategy and digital adoption, Enterprise Capabilities (EC) is AECOM’s primary vehicle for workshare. Operating across geographic boundaries and time-zones, EC partners with regional and Global Business Line project teams to provide technical expertise, accelerate delivery and keep AECOM competitive in the industry. 

With a team of over 3000 technical professionals located across nine countries and remote technical anchors, EC teams are trusted to deliver high-quality, specialist services that help to fill capability gaps, resourcing needs and technical constraints on projects of all scopes and sizes.  

Start here. Grow here.

As a Senior Associate Director - Resources + Industry, you will play a critical leadership role in the growth and development of AECOM's Enterprise Capabilities multidisciplinary engineering and design team supporting the Australia and New Zealand Resources + Industry (R+I) business. The role acts as the primary interface between ANZ R+I pursuit and project teams and EC delivery teams, driving capability growth, quality project delivery, team development, and business outcomes. The core scope is underground copper and gold hard rock mining and associated industrial infrastructure, weighted towards materials handling: crushing, conveying, transfer stations, ore handling and fixed plant.

Here is what you will do:

• Lead and develop the multidisciplinary engineering and design team. Growing it towards 30+ engineers and designers across civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and project controls as confirmed demand builds. 
• Further develop EC South Africa as a mining and materials handling design centre, building discipline depth and technical standards. 
• Act as a key enabler of ANZ R+I growth by expanding EC participation and workshare opportunities. 
• Build trusted relationships with ANZ business leaders, project managers and global EC stakeholders. 
• Provide strong commercial leadership across utilisation, resource planning and delivery performance. 
• Support recruitment, workforce planning, capability development and succession planning. 
• Co-ordinate and support EC’s contribution to nominated pursuits. 
• Maintain oversight of technical quality, project delivery, risk and continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Operate as a key relationship manager across international teams, cultures and time zones. 
• Coach and develop team members, strengthen technical and project delivery capability, and create an inclusive, high-performing culture.
•  Identify delivery constraints early and agree corrective actions with the relevant EC and regional leaders.
•  Drive standardisation, digital adoption, lessons learned and continuous improvement across the micro-team.
•  Track and report EC hours, workshare uptake, recruitment progress and delivery performance against the agreed growth plan.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Commercially astute and comfortable balancing growth, utilisation, quality, cost and people considerations.
•  An experienced leader of multidisciplinary, multicultural and geographically dispersed teams.
•  Able to build credibility quickly and influence outcomes without relying solely on formal authority.
•  Clear, concise and confident when communicating with senior stakeholders, project teams and technical specialists.
•  Structured and delivery-focused, with the judgement to distinguish between urgent mobilisation needs and longer-term capability building.
•  Proactive in surfacing risks, resolving ambiguity and holding owners to agreed actions.
•  Committed to coaching, inclusion, knowledge transfer and the development of local leadership depth.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a recognised institution.
• 12+ years' experience in engineering consultancy and/or  EPCM project delivery in the mining, energy or industrial sectors. 
• Professional Engineer registered with a recognised professional body
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and design teams within a global delivery environment. 
• At least eight years' formal accountability for people leadership, design management or project delivery performance. 
• Proven technical delivery experience across complex projects. 
• Experience supporting business growth, pursuit planning, workforce planning and operational performance. 
• Underground hard rock mining, materials handling or heavy industrial project experience is advantageous. 
• Prior experience working with Australian project teams, standards or delivery practices is advantageous. 

At AECOM, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity

At AECOM, our Freedom to Grow philosophy supports flexibility and balance to help our people thrive. As part of this approach, we ask all hybrid employees to work from an AECOM office at least three days per week.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.