Associate Director

Joining Arup

Arup is a multi-disciplinary global firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists, working across every aspect of the built environment. Together, we help our clients solve their most complex challenges - turning exciting ideas into tangible reality as we strive to find a better way and shape a better world. As a wholly independent organisation, we are owned in trust for the benefit of our employees.

This allows us to determine our own direction and to make clear‑sighted, thoughtful, long‑term decisions about our priorities as a business and as a member of a sustainable society.

Arup is helping clients across transport, energy and water sectors to plan, design, consent and deliver their portfolio of projects. We are seeking to recruit Associate Directors within our Town Planning Business who are passionate about consenting and delivering infrastructure across the transport, water and energy sectors. This is a great opportunity to lead the development of our consenting business, building on our strong position across the different markets.

You will have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting and challenging infrastructure projects using your leadership, consulting and technical skills.

In addition, the role is based in our Newcastle office where we are looking for a leader to develop and grow the local planning market and grow the team along with our multi‑disciplinary team offering as part of the North Region.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

The candidate should have a knowledge of infrastructure consenting legislation including TCPA, Development Consent Orders as well as any sector specific legislation (such as, TWA, the Electricity Act and statutory powers).

• Engaging with existing and potential clients, positioning Arup to ensure there is a strong pipeline of repeat work and identifying opportunities for new work.
• Leading the delivery of projects in terms of client interface, providing strategic direction to the team, undertaking QA and ensuring projects are profitable.
• Interfacing with multi-disciplinary project teams across Arup to ensure client/project opportunities are maximised and integrated delivery of projects.
• Developing the skills across our national town planning team to ensure depth in resources and strong succession.

You will be a motivated, enthusiastic and competent individual with a strong track record of developing client relationships and winning and successfully delivering infrastructure projects and site development projects.

• Education to degree level and Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Strong proven consultancy skills and ability to focus on and where possible exceed client expectations. This includes working across different consenting regimes, in drafting consenting strategies, engagement strategies, planning reports and managing the preparation of consent applications.
• Experience of leading teams in the bidding and delivery (establishing and leading teams) of projects, including technical specialists and multi-disciplinary teams and sourcing sub-consultants where necessary.
• Experience of working within a commercial environment (bids and projects), including client liaison, programme and time management, quality assurance and financial/budget control.
• Experience of working with clients to understand their requirements, map out solutions and ensuring opportunities for Arup are maximised.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and to work on multiple projects/business initiatives at any one time.
• Critical thinker and strong analytical skills with a solutions focused mindset to resolve issues.
• Ability to work under own initiative making good use of more junior resources to work efficiently;…