Associate (Development Management)

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland is seeking an Associate (Development Management) to lead and deliver development management and masterplanning projects. You will act as Project Director for DevMan initiatives, manage budgets and coordinate cross‑functional teams.

The role requires strong leadership, bid involvement, and stakeholder engagement in a hybrid UK setting. You will oversee up to 6 direct reports, ensure quality standards, guide bid strategies, and liaise with sector directors to identify

Qualifications

• MSc Transport Planning & Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (desirable) and membership of a recognised body.
• Track record on Development Control, Development Management and Development Planning projects.
• Ability to lead and mentor staff and develop the team’s skills.
• Ability to develop and agree scopes and manage internal technical supply chain within time and budget constraints.
• Ability to contribute to bids and tenders.
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery of Development Management local plans and masterplanning projects.
• Act as Project Director for DevMan projects across the business.
• Project manage schemes with budget control.
• Manage staff reviewing Planning Applications, Local Plans, EIAs and design projects.
• Ensure work is technically accurate and delivered to standards.
• Manage production of scheme deliverables.
• Liaise with Sector Directors to identify and secure opportunities.
• Coordinate with resource manager to plan and match workload.
• Prepare fee proposals for client agreement.
• Line manage up to 6 direct reports including onboarding, development and performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring

Bid & tender preparation

Stakeholder liaison

Communication

Education

MSc Transport Planning & Engineering

Chartered Engineer (desirable)

Job description

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

Context

The primary role of an Associate (Development Management) is to utilise substantial experience to win and deliver projects safely and in accordance with the divisional controls for bidding and revenue and margin delivery on projects, primarily for our Development Management team, but working collaboratively across teams and projects as required.

Missions/Main Duties

• Lead technical delivery of development management local plan and masterplanning projects;
• Act as Project Director for DevMan projects across the business,
• Project manage schemes with control over project budgets;
• Manage staff in the review of Planning Applications, Local Plans, EIA’s and outline and preliminary design projects.
• Ensure work produced is technically accurate and delivered in accordance with the appropriate standards;
• Manage the production of scheme deliverables;
• Liaise with Sector Directors across D&I and the wider business to identify and secure opportunities;
• Liaise with resource manager to plan and manage your work and the work of staff to meet project needs; and
• Prepare fee proposal for agreement with client.
• Undertake line management responsibilities for up to 6 direct reports including onboarding, development, performance management, and retention of team members to build a high-performing and engaged team
• Communicate relevant business updates, strategic objectives, and key information to the team in a timely and effective manner, ensuring clarity and alignment
• Ensure full compliance with people policies and procedures, proactively managing people-related risks to maintain a fair and safe work environment
• Create and maintain a working environment in which SYSTRA’s behavioural expectations are recognised and demonstrated through daily interactions with colleagues and clients. Actively lead by example by consistently role-modelling SYSTRA behaviours, recognising and celebrating team members who exemplify these behaviours, providing constructive feedback for improvement, and fostering a supportive environment that enables all colleagues to contribute and develop

Profile/Skills

• MSc Transport Planning & Engineering
• Desirable to be Chartered Engineer and membership of an appropriate recognised body.
• Track record of working with private and public sector clients on Development Control Development Management and Development Planning projects
• Ability to lead and mentor staff and develop the team’s skills.
• Ability to develop and agree scopes and manage the internal technical supply chain, including budgets, programme and quality of deliverables within set time frame.
• Ability to contribute and prepare bids and tenders.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work within a team environment

Workplace Type

Hybrid