Technical Lead - Birds

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 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.

Organisations 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 Technical Lead – Birds (TL-B) 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 role is one of a series of similar roles appointed as part of the new Nature structure within Arup.

The Technical Lead will work with 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 (including technological advances in emerging survey techniques) to meet growing demand, ensuring delivery excellence and regulatory compliance. Drive the research into, and implementation of, tools, AI and digital survey and data applications to ensure the team’s future-readiness.

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 –

• A demonstrable track record of work‑winning and the growth of capability and specialist resource within a wider Ecology team.
• Proven experience in ornithology/bird ecology, ideally leading teams or significant work streams 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.
• 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 and/or Chartered Ecologist, or equivalent professional body.

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 recognizes 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…