Southeast Ports Sector Lead

Job Description

AECOM is the #1 Transportation firm by ENR, underpinned by Surface Transportation, Aviation, Transit, Freight Rail, and Ports. For nearly a century AECOM and its legacy companies have been at the forefront of Ports & Maritime consulting serving public and private, defense and cargo/passenger. The Southeast US is expected to see continued and increased investment fueled by increasing population, at risk low-lying urban infrastructure, aging infrastructure, rapidly expanding cruise market, private and public terminal operators, industrial, extensive coastline, and historic funding levels for US Coast Guard (CG) and defense. With ports and private industry in global competition, they are relentlessly driven to improve efficiency, modernize, lower energy costs, deploy digital solutions, implement asset management, and enhance modal connectivity.

Through advisory, program management, permitting, design, and construction management AECOM supports infrastructure enabling the movement of goods, materials, minerals, energy, and people. With service offerings that spans the entire project life cycle from inception to commissioning, remediation to redevelopment, and procurement to value engineering.

You will be joining a global team of 900+ goods movement specialists who support a wide range of maritime projects including container terminals, dry and liquid bulk, waterfront developments, federal maritime facilities, cruise and ferry terminals, marinas and harbors as well as coastal schemes such as beach renourishment and coastal protection.

The Role

This is a leadership role and is part of our Southeast Transportation Team, supporting and working closely with other business lines within AECOM of Buildings & Places, Environment & Energy, Program Management, and Water to grow our overall market share. This leader will also identify, attract, and secure professional talent to expand the Ports & Marine Southeast US delivery team.

The successful candidate will be a market-facing champion, influencing the market to build productive relationships, and cross-selling with other business lines. The candidate should excel in identifying worthwhile opportunities, planning and driving key pursuits from prepositioning to award, while driving data-led performance improvements. They are a highly motivated, organized, and proactive leader with a proven track record in the ports and marine industry. Deep understanding of the Southeast US ports and maritime markets, coupled with a keen grasp of the social, political, and economic drivers that influence it, will be integral to success in this role. The ideal candidate is experienced delivering in a fast-paced environment while leading complex projects, leading diverse and geographically distributed teams, and managing client expectations resulting in repeat business. As a leader the position is responsible for fostering a culture of success, engagement, and development within the team.

AECOM is looking for:

The Ports and Marine business has opportunities for growth and a wide geographic remit. AECOM is looking for a candidate to bring their existing client knowledge/contacts in areas such as defense, freight, terminals, and cruise and be able to prioritize, focus and grow AECOM’s Southeast US Ports & Marine business.

Key Responsibilities

Grow our Port & Maritime offering in the Southeast US. Specific responsibilities include:

• Identify, position, plan and prioritize business development activities in the market and with clients.
• Influence and work the Business Plan that fully reflects the market growth potential and accurately portrays geographic competition.
• Identify key clients and key pursuits (external and internal). Prepare key client management plans and pursuit plans, maintain a strong and realistic pipeline of opportunities.
• Identify key teaming partners in each client’s market geography and secure relationship to improve purist outcomes
• Create a strong client-centric delivery culture.
• Develop and maintain existing client relationships building trusted advisor status with key clients.
• Lead major Ports & Marine pursuit proposals and support other proposals.
• Support the wider Global Goods Movement sector in the identification, winning and delivery of major projects.

As an inclusive AECOM leader, you will have:

• Demonstrated dedication to fostering a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion.
• Proven ability to build, attract, and retain a diverse, inclusive, and successful workforce while nurturing talent development, mentoring and coaching.
• Strong set of “soft skills”: strategic/analytical thinking, rapport building, emotional intelligence, effective and timely communication, effective delegation, listening to learn, time management, conflict management, adapting to change, and problem-solving

Qualifications

Minimum requirements for the role of the Southeast Ports Client Director.

• BA/BAs and 12 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education, including 4 years of leadership
• Ports & Maritime market experience, knowledge and understanding:
• Experience planning, design, engineering and construction at a senior professional level with a minimum of 12 years in ports infrastructure market for either: container terminals, liquid bulk terminals, dry bulk terminals, and/or waterfront infrastructure.
• Project Management and Delivery: Previous experience in successfully leading multi-disciplinary project teams and delivering projects, including contractual arrangements, to required quality standards, on time and within budget.
• Business Development & Client Focus: Experience and demonstrate a strong client and stakeholder network within the industry, which will translate into identifing, winning, and delivering projects in the consulting and advisory market.

Preferred Qualifications

• Membership of a recognized professional body in an appropriate discipline.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate discipline.

Additional Information

• Relocation is an option for this position 
• We are interested in every qualified candidate eligible to work in the United States. Sponsorship may be available for current visa holders in the United States

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.