Associate Director- Site Development

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Here, you belong to an extraordinary collective – where individuality is encouraged to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

Arup’s Site Development (Civil Engineering) Teams work at the interface of planning, engineering and delivery, leading the design of civil and infrastructure solutions that unlock development sites - supporting master planning, mixed use and specialist developments from early feasibility through to construction, in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. They also provide Civil Engineering and Leadership expertise in support of major projects led by our Energy, Water, Transport and Building teams across the UK.

Climate change. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Arup is seeking an Associate Director to oversee the leadership of our Site Development Team across Arup in Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast, spending the most time interacting with the team in Newcastle, our largest standalone staff group in this area, alongside some time with the current team Edinburgh. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a growing team, develop new areas of service, and lead some of our most significant and complex development projects.

Over time you will help develop teams in our other Northern offices.

The Newcastle Site Development team is currently 11 strong and has a plan and the potential to expand rapidly in response to the opportunities available across the North of the UK. The Edinburgh team is smaller currently 6, but again with great opportunities for growth. You will provide hands‑on support to the leadership, direction and inspiration to this team, while connecting them into the wider Site Development capability of over 150 people across our Arup Northern Geography offices.

There are individuals who have the site development skills within the other offices you will work with, however they are part of different sub‑teams. Therefore, you will be coordinating a network of skills through your influence and leadership. You will also work closely with Arup colleagues across Northern Geography and beyond, coordinating with multiple disciplines, and tying into various markets to deliver integrated, sustainable outcomes for our clients.

In addition to supporting leadership of the team, the role has a strong market‑facing and strategic focus, including:

• Acting as the client‑facing lead for Site Development input to major master planning and mixed‑use development projects, working closely with property, planning, urban design, transport, energy and sustainability colleagues, and supporting and developing others in the teams who are already doing this with existing clients.
• Taking a leading role in directing Arup’s Data Centre Site Development offer in the North of the UK and beyond, working with the current Site Development Associates working in this area, and colleagues in other disciplines.

This role combines people leadership, technical excellence, commercial acumen and client engagement, offering real opportunity to influence the direction of Arup’s Site Development capability regionally and nationally.

• Lead part of the Site Development team in our Northern Geography, setting a clear vision and creating a positive, inclusive and high‑performing culture, whilst developing the leadership capabilities of the senior members of the team, and supporting them to lead their teams.
• Provide senior technical leadership on complex site development projects, including feasibility, planning support, outline and detailed design, and construction support.
• Act as Arup’s Site Development lead on major master planning and mixed‑use schemes, ensuring civil and infrastructure strategies are fully integrated with wider project objectives.
• Lead and support client relationships with…