Cultural Resources Group Leader/Senior Manager

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AECOM’s Environment team is seeking an experienced Cultural Resources Group Leader/ Senior Manager to provide leadership across Northern California for the archaeology and historic architecture practice within our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) department.  This hybird role can be based out of Sacramento, Oakland or San Francisco, CA offices.

AECOM is the world’s premier infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for generations to come. We work with a wide variety of clients planning, designing, and managing the environmental permitting and construction compliance for large- and small-scale infrastructure projects for federal, state, and municipal agencies and private industry clients. Therefore, the qualified applicant must be an established leader in providing strategic advising and/or regulatory compliance related to archaeology or historic architecture and supporting consultation processes, be able to demonstrate a positive can-do attitude, be customer-focused, be a critical thinker and problem solver, and be ready to apply their skill sets to establish a rewarding, long-term career, and help us deliver a better world.

In this role, the selected candidate will lead the Cultural Resources Group in Northern California, comprised of multiple teams in the Bay Area and Sacramento. The Cultural Resources Group Leader will collaborate with parallel groups for Natural Resources, as well as Planning, to deliver advising and quality cultural resources services to key clients, expand service offerings, and capture work in growing markets. The individual will work closely with our planners, engineers, scientists, landscape architects, and construction managers to develop integrated solutions and business development opportunities; this includes working closely with client account managers, market sector leads, and our Water and Transportation Business Lines. The selected candidate will report to the Department Manager for Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) in the Northern California and Pacific Northwest and Alaska region.  

The Group Leader will also function as a direct manager of team leaders/supervisors and/or senior staff, manage client relationships, and help support projects and programs. Depending on the project assignment, the candidate could serve as a project manager, deputy project manager, task manager, or technical specialist. Technical responsibilities of this position would include providing guidance and management of cultural resources technical efforts and permitting compliance requirements, providing planning or mitigation assistance to design teams, and interacting with agencies, tribes, and the public.

Responsibilities would include, but are not limited to:

• Directly manages/supervises the cultural resource team leaders, as well as senior practitioners, while providing oversight of all archaeologists, architectural historians, and field technicians across Northern California.
• Collaborates with the group leaders of natural resources and planning teams, client account managers, and program/contract managers to provide exceptional service and quality technical deliverables.
• Focuses on development of technical skills within the group, through recruiting, training, or staff mentorship, based on key client needs and market opportunities in Northern California.
• Identifies and prioritizes participation at external events (training and conferences) where AECOM can gain profile by presenting with/for relevant clients (federal, state, local agencies, industry, and regulators).
• Represents AECOM and the cultural resources practice with clients across Northern California by serving in a principal investigator or technical advisor role to support program and project managers with client relationships.
• Serves as a program or project manager, as needed.

*This position requires excellent written and spoken communication skills, organizational and time management skills, and flexibility to work on a multitude of diverse projects. The successful candidate will have the ability to communicate effectively with members of the project team, clients (in-person and virtually), and have the ability to work both independently and as a part of a project team.

About AECOM’s Environment Business Line

AECOM’s Environmental Planning and Permitting team works closely with our global team of experts in water, energy and transportation. You would be connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network of subject matter experts who are leaders in their field. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it.  We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative, which allows for flexible work schedules and hybrid work between remote and in-office locations, dependent on responsibilities.



AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects are diverse and interesting. They span market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems within diverse community profiles.

AECOM’s Sustainable Legacies program describes our approach to the environment, social equity and governance (ESG.) We embed sustainability throughout our business and help clients embed sustainable practices into their work. We help clients reduce their impact on the environment, achieve compliance and reduce risks.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, or a closely related field.
• 10 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in historic and/or prehistoric archaeology and cultural resources management, including 2 years of leadership of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, or a closely related field.
• 15 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in historic and/or prehistoric archaeology and cultural resources management, including 5 years of leadership experience.
• Experience with implementing Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate a high level of competence and experience in working with teams, clients, and subcontractors.
• Exceptional detail orientation and attention to quality.
• Experience managing cultural resources compliance projects or programs, requiring coordination of multi-disciplinary teams, management of budget(s), and meeting schedule(s).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to effectively manage tasks and interact with teams of staff, subconsultants, and clients.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and planners.
• Knowledge managing GIS/GPS data.
• Proven ability to lead proposals and win work.
• Knowledge of regional and local cultural resources regulations.

• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

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 2024. 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.