Associate Director

AtkinsRéalis; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Training & development

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an Associate Director to join our high-performing Complex Projects team in the UK. You will lead the delivery of high-quality projects across diverse infrastructure sectors, build trusted client relationships, and mentor emerging talent while shaping a high-value service offering.

You will bring strong NEC contract and commercial expertise, drive business development, and represent the firm at senior client meetings and industry forums.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering high-quality commercial services across highways, water, and wider civil engineering in UK infrastructure.
• Strong client-relationship skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Experience mentoring and developing others; professional accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of high-quality projects, setting clear expectations and building trusted relationships with clients.
• Support and develop emerging talent, contributing to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.
• Shape and strengthen a high-value, profitable service offering reflecting technical excellence and client outcomes.
• Apply strong commercial and contractual understanding, particularly of the NEC suite, to ensure rigorous delivery.
• Provide senior commercial advice on high-value and complex projects.
• Drive business development initiatives and support regional growth plans.
• Manage fee proposals, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis at senior client meetings and industry events.

Skills

Project delivery

Client relationships

Commercial awareness

Mentoring

Leadership

Education

MRICS or MCICES

Tools

NEC contracts

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Be the essence of collaboration.

How would you like to work on some of the most exciting and prestigious projects around the globe? Join our collaborative Complex Projects team, where everyone has a voice, and together, we deliver excellence for people and the environment.

Flexible and remote working are central to our culture. So, talk to us about how we can support you. We value your transferable skills and potential and are ready to invest in your development and progression.

We are seeking an Associate Director to join our high‑performing team, where you’ll play a key role in driving commercial success, supporting colleagues, and delivering outstanding service to our clients.

As an Associate Director, you’ll be responsible for delivering work that’s driven by excellence as well as doing the right thing. You’ll share our reputation for working on some of the UK’s most high-profile commissions. Your teams will work across a wide range of projects within the complex infrastructure sector including rail, highways, utilities, defence, energy and aviation.

Your role

• Lead the delivery of high‑quality projects, setting clear expectations and building trusted relationships with clients through proactive engagement and exceptional service.
• Support and develop emerging talent, contributing to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture where people can grow and thrive.
• Work closely with senior leaders to help shape and strengthen a high‑value, profitable service offering that reflects our commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and client outcomes.
• Apply strong commercial and contractual understanding, particularly of the NEC suite, to ensure projects are delivered with rigour, clarity, and commercial discipline.
• Bring a proactive, commercially minded, and purpose‑driven approach that consistently adds value for clients and enhances the reputation of our business.
• Deliver senior commercial advice on high-value and complex projects.
• Drive business development initiatives and support regional growth plans.
• Manage fee proposals, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis at senior client meetings, industry forums and networking events.

About you

• Proven track record of delivering high‑quality commercial services across highways, water, and wider civil engineering projects within the UK infrastructure sector.
• Strong client‑relationship skills, with a customer‑focused approach and a clear understanding of evolving client priorities and expectations.
• Confident handling of legal, contractual, and technical matters, supported by the ability to develop robust and consistent delivery plans.
• Supportive team contributor, experienced in mentoring colleagues and promoting a positive, collaborative, and high‑performing working environment.
• Commercially aware, adept at identifying repeat and new business opportunities, and committed to ongoing professional development to stay current with industry standards.
• Experience of mentoring and developing others.
• Professional accreditation (MRICS or MCICES)

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

#LI-UK#LI-ATKINS #PPSProContr

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.