Environment Practice Operation Leader -… at AECOM · Chicago

companyDescription 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. jobDescription We are seeking a Practice Operations Lead (POL) who will report to the Director of Operations (DOO) and share responsibility with the Practice Lead (PL) and DOO for the profit & loss (P&L) and overall operational performance of the Environmental Remediation business unit. The business unit oversees environmental remediation work for oil, gas, chemical, industrial, public and private-sector clients, including state/local, commercial markets for our US West Region. The POL partners with stakeholders to deliver the annual operating plan, with clear expectations for hiring and labor volume, project performance, discretionary G&A spend, business development investment, billing and collections, and utilization. Core responsibilities include driving project delivery performance, proposal approval and pricing support, resource management, risk assessment and management, process improvement, P&L forecasting and budgeting, daily operational troubleshooting, performance reporting, margin improvement initiatives, and performance improvement planning for our US West Region.  . The POL plays a key role in continuously strengthening commercial acumen and project management capabilities across the Practice, supporting the nomination, development, and training of new PMs and deputy PMs. This role also supervises portfolio delivery leads (PDLs) and recruits PDL talent from across the business. Key Responsibilities Drive monthly, quarterly, and annual performance; own processes for financial forecasting (monthly, quarterly, and annual cycles). Analyze and present performance to department leaders, tracking KPIs against goals and initiating corrective actions as needed. Serve as a point of escalation for project issues (e.g., resourcing gaps, technical challenges, invoicing and cash collection, subconsultant/vendor concerns). Drive strong working capital performance by actively monitoring Unbilled, Billed AR, and DSO, and meeting billing and collections targets. Improve working capital (monitor Unbilled, Billed AR, DSO; billing timeliness/accuracy; collections) and protect margin through disciplined change orders and rate strategies. Review and approve pursuit strategies and proposals; support pricing and governance requirements. Strengthen contract governance (T&Cs, insurance, tax, workshare) and manage commercial risk across unit rate, T&M, fixed price, and design build remediation. Ensure PDLs leverage project reviews to monitor client satisfaction, resourcing, forecast, schedule, risk, and quality management. Ensure PDLs require bottoms-up ETCs from PMs as needed to support financial tracking and forecasting accuracy. Attend high-risk project reviews and support at-risk projects with mitigation plans and recovery actions. Drive consistent project management practices aligned with AECOM’s Project Delivery System (PDS) and Quality Management System (QMS). Balance workload across the Environmental Remediation Practice and, where appropriate, the broader enterprise to optimize capacity and capability. Approve G&A expenditures and/or support department leadership with assessment and approvals to optimize ROI. Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Practice’s R18 data and output reports; proactively address data quality and reporting gaps. Balance onshore/offshore and workshare models; oversee onboarding to accelerate chargeability and quality for new staff and transfers. Build an inclusive, high performance culture; recognize excellence and address performance gaps promptly. Coach PMs, Construction Managers, and Field Leads; sponsor capability uplift in remedial design, CQA/CQC, and field safety. Role model our values and ethics; promote psychological safety and continuous learning. qualifications Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or a comparable technical, business, or professional discipline AND 10+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of skills and experience, including 2 years of leadership experience OR a demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education. Successful candidate will have to pass a background check. Due to the nature of the position, sponsorship is not available at this time or in the future for this role.  Candidates need to be a US Citizen or a permanent resident. Preferred Qualifications Strong project management skills with a track record of successful delivery and demonstrated improvement of operational KPIs at scale (margin, utilization, cash flow, schedule adherence, quality, safety). Business development experience, including client service and proposal preparation. Demonstrated change enabler who promotes best practice and coaches/mentors staff. Strong, positive communication style when navigating challenging issues, differences of opinion, and mitigation planning. Strong financial and commercial acumen (budgeting, forecasting, revenue recognition, T&Cs, pricing/change orders). Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, and decision-making skills. PMP certification preferred but not required. Experience managing the operational performance of an Environmental Remediation portfolio; experience spanning state/local and/or commercial programs is advantageous. additionalInformation 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.