Technical Lead - Birds

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s-built environment.

Organizations and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the global nature crisis, their impact on it, and the need to move towards a nature-positive future. Our integrated nature solutions use nature’s own systems as a design guide, achieving healthier, more resilient environments that support and protect people and communities.

We are seeking a highly motivated and strategically minded Bird Ecology Strategic Lead to drive and shape our ornithological capability across the UK and Europe. This role will focus on strengthening our expertise, understanding client needs, work winning, auditing current supply chains, and ensuring our bird ecology offering is positioned for long‑term sustainability and growth.

The Technical Lead – Birds (TL‑B) role is one of a series of skills directors appointed as part of the new Nature structure within Arup. Skills directors will work with the Nature director and Nature geographic leads to drive the business forward. These are national (and international) roles that will grow Arup’s profile and impact in their defined areas.

The Technical Lead will have the ability to map market opportunities, identify client drivers, and strengthen internal capabilities to meet growing demand, ensuring delivery excellence and regulatory compliance.

They will build strong and direct relationships with major clients, understanding their needs, and positioning Arup as a trusted advisor for ornithology. They will secure and deliver new ornithology lead roles on major projects, ensuring the ornithology function is self‑sustaining and profitable.

Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis to identify resourcing, skills, and capability needs. Provide clear recommendations for reskilling, upskilling, and recruitment to meet market demand. Critically review current ornithological skills levels, distribution, and potential within existing teams. Create model on major projects of bird workstream division and populate with Arup bird ecologists.

It is anticipated that the Technical Lead will support Arup’s growing environmental and social advisory services to lenders, that requires specialist input into Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) in emerging markets internationally, in addition to work in Europe.

We are looking for people with the following skills:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject.
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, such as an MSc in Ecological Consultancy, is advantageous. Membership of CIEEM, or equivalent professional body or seeking to work towards Chartership or Fellowship.
• Proven experience in ornithology/bird ecology, ideally within consultancy or large‑scale infrastructure/environmental projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK and European bird ecology legislation, policy, and best practice. Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain client relationships at a senior level.
• Strategic thinker with experience in workforce planning, resourcing, and recruitment.
• Track record of leading bird ecology input on major projects.

Not ready to apply just yet, or have some questions? Please email Karin Spies at  Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

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