Program Director, Water/Wastewater

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

The Program Director, Water / Wastewater provides senior leadership and oversight for the successful delivery of large, complex water/wastewater programs of significant strategic and public value across the United States.

The role has been established to strengthen leadership readiness for critical water and wastewater pursuits and to support long-term succession planning for our active programs, ensuring experienced program leadership is in place to transition seamlessly from pursuit through delivery.

Current Programs include municipal drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, collection and conveyance networks, water reuse, regulatory compliance and consent decree programs, climate resilience initiatives as well as major capacity expansion and rehabilitation efforts.

The Program Director sets the overall direction for program delivery, establishing governance, technical assurance, commercial frameworks, and integrated management systems required to meet client objectives, regulatory obligations, and community expectations.

Acting as the primary leader for day-to-day integration and performance, the role oversees multidisciplinary teams across engineering, construction management, environmental compliance, commercial management, and stakeholder engagement.

In addition to delivery leadership, the role plays a key part in work winning, contributing to capture strategy, proposal development, and client engagement for high-priority pursuits.

Due to the nature of this role, the initial work location may be flexible. Current program locations include Atlanta, GA. Washington, DC. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership across the full lifecycle of major water/wastewater programs, from pursuits and mobilization through execution, commissioning, and closeout.
• Establish and maintain program governance, assurance, and performance frameworks aligned with municipal, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Direct and integrate senior leaders across engineering, construction management, environmental compliance, operations readiness, and commercial management.
• Ensure program-wide compliance with safety, environmental, drinking water, and water quality standards, including permits and consent decrees.
• Provide senior commercial oversight including contract strategy, supplier engagement, risk management, change control, and financial governance.
• Act as the principal point of contact for municipal clients, regulators, delivery partners, and community stakeholders.
• Champion innovation, digital delivery, and continuous improvement across water and wastewater infrastructure programs.
• Support major water/wastewater pursuits and programs, including proposal strategy, interviews, and transition from award to delivery.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, construction management, project management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Typically 15+ years of professional experience delivering large, complex water and/or wastewater programs.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams within regulated public-sector environments.
• Willingness and ability to relocate within the United States upon program award.
• PgMP, PMP, CCM, or similar professional certification preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional registration preferred.

Additional Information

Why Join Us

You will join a global organisation recognised for delivering high‑impact, complex programs that shape industries, communities, and client outcomes. As Program Director, you will have the opportunity to lead a major in