Climate Adaptation and Resilience Associate Director

AECOM • Sacramento, CA

4d • $125,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a highly motivated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Associate Director in the following locations: San Franciso, CA; Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL. Additional locations may be considered depending on experience and qualifications.
The selected candidate will join our growing Advisory business line, a team of 400 staff globally comprised of business and policy analysts, economists, commercial strategists, sustainability and resilience planners, and change management practitioners. We integrate strategic consulting with policy and technical expertise to help cities, transit agencies, state and regional governments, and other public entities tackle their most pressing challenges and better serve their constituents.
The Associate Director position will support a variety of service areas on our Advisory team with a focus on adaptation and resilience planning for local governments and public agencies, though private sector experience is welcomed. Strong client management, technical, and communication skills, as well as a background in climate and sea level rise vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning, are essential. Ideal candidates will have experience developing or implementing resilience strategies related to infrastructure, governance, and/or policy.
You will join a fast-paced and supportive team of diverse consulting professionals. We pride ourselves on our strong culture of mentorship and collaborative problem-solving and our mission of addressing our client’s most complex problems, paired with career pathways that nurture professional development and personal growth.
As an Associate Director in AECOM Advisory’s US West Region, your day-to-day role will include delivering quality projects, driving business development, and supporting practice development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, climate or environmental science, environmental policy, natural resource management, geography, or a related field
• 8+ years of professional experience in climate adaptation, resilience, or a closely related discipline or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• 11+ years of experience in planning, consulting or an equivalent role
• Demonstrated experience contributing to projects, conducting analysis, and producing written deliverables
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Detail‑oriented, committed, and able to thrive in a dynamic, deadline‑driven team environment
• Recent experience with climate vulnerability and risk assessments—including impacts such as sea level rise, precipitation, and temperature—and developing adaptation strategies
• Proficiency in GIS or other spatial analysis tools (highly desirable)
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office; experience with statistical or quantitative software is a plus
• Experience in related fields such as land use planning, urban design, or transportation planning
• Excellent communication and writing skills; writing sample required

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of climate vulnerability assessments, climate adaptation and resilience plans, strategies, and policy initiatives, including independently handing client engagement
• Bringing expertise in local, regional, state, and federal climate adaptation and resilience policies and regulations
• Driving delivery teams comprised of 5-8 Consultants and Senior Consultants across multiple and inter-dependent workstreams
• Collaborating with technical experts on project and program development across AECOM
• Exhibiting strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Having strong technical underpinning, including in spatial analysis tools such as GIS, to analyze climate vulnerability and develop adaptation strategies
• Being present in industry conversations and professional networks to identify and originate business development opportunities
• Managing all aspects of proposal responses as Capture Manager, including: narrative development, coordination across multiple teams to develop technical solutions, pricing, team definition, subcontractor engagement, internal risk review, and compliance procedures
• Providing timely quality assurance and control over scope, assumptions, analyses and insights on projects and proposals
• Leading highly polished deliverable production to meet client expectations and firm standards while also being responsible for project financial performance
• Coaching and mentoring junior staff on developing core consulting skills

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level