Associate Director- Infrastructure Town Planning

Arup; Leeds; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global firm seeks an Associate Director to spearhead infrastructure town planning initiatives in Leeds. The role requires strong leadership, industry expertise in infrastructure consenting, and an ability to build lasting client relationships. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to execute complex projects while contributing to Arup’s growth and market positioning.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection cover

Flexible benefits package

Profit share

Qualifications

• Recognised industry expertise in transport, energy or water planning.
• Experience in developing client development plans and business strategies.
• Proven ability to manage project bids and client expectations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships in infrastructure sectors.
• Lead teams in project bidding and delivery, ensuring profitability.
• Engage in marketing initiatives to enhance Arup’s market presence.

Skills

Client relationship management

Consultancy skills

Strategic direction

Project delivery

Knowledge of planning legislation

Team leadership

Education

Degree in relevant field

Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

Job description

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Associate Director- Infrastructure Town Planning, Leeds

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Client:

Arup

Location:

Leeds, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

9418693c2249

Job Views:

5

Posted:

25.06.2025

Expiry Date:

09.08.2025

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Job Description:

Joining Arup

Arup is a multi–disciplinary global firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists, working across every aspect of the built environment. Together, we help our clients solve their most complex challenges – turning exciting ideas into tangible reality as we strive to find a better way and shape a better world. As a wholly independent organisation, we are owned in trust for the benefit of our employees. This allows us to determine our own direction and to make clear-sighted, thoughtful, long-term decisions about our priorities as a business and as a member of a sustainable society.

Arup is helping clients across transport, energy and water sectors to plan, design, consent and deliver their portfolio of projects. We are seeking to recruit Associate Directorswho are passionate about consenting and delivering infrastructure across the transport, water and energy sectors. This is a great opportunity to lead the development of our consenting business, building on our strong position across the different markets. You will have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting and challenging infrastructure projects using your leadership, consulting and technical skills.

The role:

The roles are to work across one or more of our transport, energy and water businesses developing client relationships and identifying project opportunities, leading teams in bidding and delivering projects, developing team members, raising Arup’s profile in this area through marketing and publicity efforts, and promoting our work in the marketplace.

The candidate should have a knowledge of infrastructure consenting legislation including Development Consent Orders as well as any sector specific legislation (such as TWA, the Electricity Act and statutory powers).

You will play a key leadership role in the following areas:

Growing our market share across our infrastructure business by identifying and leading the successful pursuit of prospects and projects which are critical to Arup’s positioning in the market;

Engaging with existing and potential clients, positioning Arup to ensure there is a strong pipeline of repeat work and identifying opportunities for new work;

Leading the delivery of projects in terms of client interface, providing strategic direction to the team, undertaking QA and ensuring projects are profitable;

Interfacing with multi-disciplinary project teams across Arup to ensure client/project opportunities are maximised and integrated delivery of projects;

Developing the skills across our national town planning team to ensure depth in resources and strong succession; and

Supporting the preparation of marketing material and activities to raise the profile of our work.

Is this role right for you?

You will be a motivated, enthusiastic and competent individual with a strong track record of developing client relationships, and winning and successfully delivering infrastructure projects.

You will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes:

Recognised industry expertise in one or more of transport, energy and water planning and consenting;

Strong proven consultancy skills and ability to focus on and where possible exceed client expectations;

Experience of working across different consenting regimes, in drafting consenting strategies, engagement strategies, planning reports and managing the preparation of consent applications;

Experience of developing business strategies and/or client development plans to provide focus to business development. Experience of successfully implementing strategies/plans;

Experience of working with clients to understand their requirements and map out solutions to ensure opportunities for Arup are maximised;

Experience of leading teams in the bidding and delivery (establishing and leading teams) of projects, including technical specialists and multi-disciplinary teams and sourcing sub-consultants where necessary;

Experience of working within a commercial environment (bids and projects), including client liaison, programme and time management, quality assurance and financial/budget control;

Experience of developing technical skills in staff within the national town planning business to ensure career progression, depth in resources and succession planning.

Qualifications:

Education to degree level; andMember of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).

What we offer you

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.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefitsto help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Sarah Graham to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

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Recruitment Agencies - We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.