Climate Adaptation Solutions Senior Specialist

Role Description

The Climate Adaptation Solutions Lead will join the Disaster and Climate Resilience Solutions Team and will report to the Climate Adaptation Solutions Director for Canada. This role focuses on leading certain aspects of Arcadis climate resilience strategy and provides technical leadership and guidance on those topics. As climate adaptation is a systemic issue, there is a wide range of topics that are of interest, including hazard and risk modeling, water resource management, risk informed asset management, resilient transportation planning, emergency management and evacuation planning, decision making and pathways planning under uncertainty, risk financing, resilient investment planning, etc.

Understanding quantitative and qualitative risk assessment methods, their applications and limitations, and climate adaptation measures in one or more sector is required.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Director to develop and execute the Arcadis Canada Climate Adaptation Strategy and will work with the project teams across the organization to deliver innovative solutions aligned with emerging market trends, client needs, and regulatory drivers. They will actively collaborate across sectors and geographies to ensure the successful delivery of projects and the growth of Arcadis’ climate adaptation portfolio.

This position emphasizes project execution and team mentorship, requiring strong communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills. The Senior Specialist will also play a role in fostering knowledge‑sharing within Arcadis.

This role is pivotal in leading strategic business development initiatives by identifying growth opportunities, shaping market positioning, and cultivating long‑term client relationships within the climate adaptation sector. It involves guiding market intelligence efforts and competitor analysis to inform service offerings and contribute to thought leadership that aligns with global climate priorities. Acting as a trusted advisor, the incumbent maintains a deep understanding of client needs and risk contexts across Canada, leading proposal development and client presentations with strategic and technical expertise.

Representation at industry events and forums is key to enhancing the firm’s visibility and influence in climate adaptation. The role demands leadership in delivering complex climate risk assessments and resilience projects, ensuring technical excellence and innovation aligned with regulatory expectations. It requires overseeing tailored solutions by guiding multidisciplinary teams through system‑level challenges while setting high technical standards and mentoring staff.

Collaboration is vital, with responsibilities to foster teamwork, accountability, and performance across projects. Additionally, the role champions knowledge sharing and capacity building within the organization, promoting consistency, innovation, and continuous improvement in climate adaptation practices. Through these multifaceted efforts, the position drives both business growth and technical leadership in climate resilience.

• Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Planning, Geography, Economics, Public Policy, Emergency Planning, or a related field, with a professional designation such as P.Eng. highly desired, plus 12+ years of experience in environmental consulting, engineering, climate adaptation, or resilience planning, including a demonstrated track record as a trusted advisor to public and/or private sector clients who translate technical analysis into strategic, actionable guidance.
• Proven leadership in managing and delivering complex projects, overseeing technical teams, budgets, schedules, and client relationships, paired with a strong understanding of Canadian climate policy, regulatory frameworks, and funding programs related to climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience.
• Established network within Canada’s climate adaptation and resilience community, with a track record of industry engagement and thought leadership, complemented by experience in business development—leading…