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AECOM is seeking a Principal Talent Intelligence & Market Research Specialist to work within our Talent Acquisiton function.  This is a role that can be based in any of our major AECOM office locations within the US or UK.  

Role Purpose

The Principal Talent Intelligence & Market Research Specialist is a senior strategic advisor who shapes business direction through external labor market intelligence, competitive insight, and internal capability analysis. Operating at the intersection of Talent Acquisition, workforce strategy, and AI-enabled research, this role partners directly with TA, Talent Management and business leadership across the enterprise to anticipate talent risks and opportunities, surface where the market is moving, and enable evidence-led decisions on capability, structure, and growth. This is a highly visible Individual Contributor role designed for a sophisticated researcher who blends deep investigative rigor with the executive presence to translate complex market data into actionable hiring strategies for one of the world’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

Scope & Impact

• Influences business strategy and direction through insight that guides organizational growth, and capability build/buy/borrow decisions across architecture, engineering, construction management, and advisory businesses.
• Advises Leadership Team stakeholders with recommendations affecting multiple regions, business lines, and functions.
• Leads complex, high-visibility intelligence initiatives with material business impact, including talent mapping for critical leadership roles and competitive landscape analysis for strategic markets.
• Anticipates talent trends, proactively shaping leadership thinking and strategic scenarios 12–24+ months ahead of open roles.
• Builds decision and recommendation frameworks requiring conceptual, innovative, and strategic reasoning in ambiguous problem spaces.
• Serves as the recognized subject matter expert on AEC labor markets and a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the global TA function.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Intelligence & Market Research

• Strategic Market Intelligence: Conduct in-depth external research, including competitor organizational mapping, geographic talent availability, compensation benchmarking, and skill trend analysis across AEC and adjacent industries.
• Capability Heatmapping: Identify emerging talent and capability risks and opportunities tied to the enterprise growth plan; produce capability heatmaps and tiered target lists that translate ambiguous business questions into precise recommendations.
• Executive Insight Narratives: Build and deliver executive-ready narratives that combine internal signal with external market intelligence to inform workforce planning and business decisions.
• Bench Building: Through research, help to build bench strength for future leadership needs, identifying and nurturing high-potential external talent well ahead of open roles.

Strategic Talent Mapping

• Talent Mapping: Execute best-in-class talent mappings for niche, competitive roles spanning technical disciplines, project leadership, and corporate functions.
• Sourcing Partnership: Partner with sourcing teams, recruiters, TA leadership, and hiring leaders to translate business goals into targeted sourcing strategies and prospect management approaches that strengthen long-term pipelines.

Analytics, AI & Enablement

• Insight Products & Dashboards: Assist and actively participate in developing and maintain directional dashboards and talent visibility tools that surface trends, measure effectiveness, and guide strategic pivots.
• AI-Enabled Research: Leverage AI, LLMs, and automation to enhance research speed, personalization, and depth—evaluating new technologies, testing workflows, and scaling what works across the global TA function.

The Ideal Candidate

• Intellectual Curiosity: Driven by a passion for understanding how organizations solve complex problems through their human capital. Deconstructs corporate structures and draws parallels to the talent needs—current and future—of a global AEC enterprise.
• Architect: Builds comprehensive talent ecosystems and identifies under-the-radar leaders through creative sourcing, rigorous cross-referencing, and active presence in the external talent market.
• High-Stakes Communicator: Comfortable presenting a market point of view to a leadership audience and defending research methodology and insights with confidence.
• AI-Forward Practitioner: Sees AI not as a replacement for judgment but as a force multiplier for insight, speed, and scale. Eager to explore LLMs, agentic workflows, and automation to make research smarter and more human.
• Empowered Collaborator: Views research as a shared asset.

Required

• Experience in Talent Intelligence, Market Insights, Executive Research, Workforce Strategy, Competitive Intelligence, Strategic Sourcing, or People Analytics, including time in an sophisticated in-house executive research function.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership decisions and shape strategic direction in ambiguous, high-stakes environments.
• Proven track record delivering talent maps and market intelligence products for complex, technical, or specialized functional areas.
• Advanced Boolean, OSINT, and AI-assisted research techniques.
• Strong storytelling, leadership communication, and narrative-building capability

Preferred

• Experience supporting talent intelligence within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry or adjacent sectors (infrastructure, environmental, advisory, energy transition).
• Experience leading initiatives to optimize research workflows or implement new talent intelligence technologies, including agentic AI and LLM-based tooling.
• Experience operating across multiple regions and navigating compliance considerations

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position
• Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future.

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.