Associate Director - Land Referencing

Ardent Management; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardent Management Limited is seeking an Associate Director to lead and shape the delivery of major infrastructure and regeneration projects from the Birmingham base. The role focuses on strategic direction, team engagement, and delivering commercial outcomes while upholding Ardent’s values and quality standards.

You will champion inclusivity, drive continuous improvement, and model best practice in tendering, governance and client liaison across diverse projects in the UK and Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape delivery of major infrastructure and regeneration projects.
• Act as senior advisor, driving strategic direction and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrate high levels of team engagement and uphold quality standards.
• Ensure health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised in all activities.
• Negotiate contract changes and maintain financial discipline within pricing.
• Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the team.

Job description

Job Descrip on

Role Informa on

Job Title Associate Director

Directorate (and Team) Land Referencing

Location (supported by Hybrid Working) Birmingham

Full Time or Part Time Full Time

Company Overview

Ardent is the UK's leading provider of land, consent management and stakeholder engagement services to support major infrastructure and regeneration projects from concept to delivery.We are Project Managers, Chartered Surveyors, Engagement specialists and Land Referencers, based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Dublin and supporting projects throughout the UK and Ireland.Established in 1992, we are a high-growth business with a client portfolio that includes some of the biggest players across our four core sectors of transport, renewables, utilities and regeneration.We are passionate about delivering life-improving change for communities and future generations and we are proud to play a key role in facilitating and delivering the UK and Ireland's net zero and growth agendas, improving connectivity, enabling the repurposing of high streets and town centres and delivering new homes.We are problem-solvers that are outcome focused working collaboratively with our clients to provide strategic advice and services that identify and mitigate risks, deliver efficiencies, delivering buildable consents and then implementing those consents to positively change people's lives and the world that we live in.

Role Purpose

Our Ardent purpose is to deliver life-improving change for communities and future generations.

The Associate Director role at Ardent is crucial in leading and shaping the delivery of transformative change for communities and future generations. As a senior leader, the Associate Director supports setting the strategic direction for major infrastructure and regeneration projects across the UK and Ireland, ensuring Ardent continues to be an industry leader in stakeholder engagement, land and consent management.

In this capacity, the Associate Director is expected to drive high levels of team engagement, uphold the highest standards of quality, and deliver outstanding commercial results, whilst maintaining an unwavering commitment to health, safety and wellbeing. The role is a champion for inclusivity, fostering a culture where diversity and equality are actively promoted and embedded, ensuring Ardent remains a workplace where everyone is empowered to succeed. Through visionary leadership, the Associate Director inspires a collective pursuit of excellence, innovation, and positive, lasting change throughout the organisation.

Key performance indicators for this position are centred on people leadership—measured by team engagement, commercial achievements, technical excellence and maintaining a safe, supportive working environment. Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is fundamental, ensuring fairness and belonging for all. The Associate Director also models a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, in line with Ardent's value of a 'Thirst for Knowledge', supporting continuous growth and improvement. Adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS) is essential, guaranteeing that all outputs reflect Ardent's reputation for reliability and excellence in service delivery.

Values Alignment & Shared Commitment

The Associate Director position is an ambassador of the Ardent values, promoting a culture of integrity, collaboration and excellence, inspiring a commitment to inclusivity, change and innovation.

Thirst for knowledge - We embrace every opportunity to learn, grow and continuously improve Own it - We do what we say we will do. We own our individual actions, are accountable for them,

and take pride in adding value Be the difference - Focus energy to make things happen. Go beyond process. Stand up, Stand out Enjoy the journey - Have fun, be engaged and be proud to Ardent Adapt - We drive change and innovation to deliver growth and new opportunities in an ever

changing world

Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities & Outcomes

Accountabilities and / or Responsibilities Outcome

Fully capable of executing the role of bothProject Account Manager on small to mediummulti-disciplinary projects and Project Directorfor single service projects.

Demonstrates versatility and proficiency in managingboth small to medium multi-disciplinary projects asProject Account Manager, as well as leading singleservice projects as Project Director, ensuringsuccessful delivery and effective project oversight.

Effectively executing in accordance with thetender strategy, within a fixed price andnegotiating successfully contract changes todrive optimal commercial outcomes.

Delivers successful project outcomes by adhering tothe tender strategy, maintaining financial disciplinewithin set pricing, and skilfully negotiating contractamendments to achieve the best possible commercialresults.

Demonstrate active thought leadership bypresenting yourself as a leader and expert in

Establishes a reputation as a trusted senior advisorthrough visible thought leadership, inspiringconfidence in colleagues and clients, and fostering a

your field with a passion for your work, beingrecognised as a senior advisor in your space.

Strong management and leadershipexperience, with the ability to manage conflictand confront difficult situations.

culture of expertise, innovation, and professionalexcellence within the organisation.

Using experience and knowledge ofdetermining the right approach, to includeadopting the correct policy and processesrequired.

Consistently applies expertise and sound judgementto select and implement the most appropriate policiesand procedures, ensuring best practice, compliance,and effective project outcomes.

Confidence in leading client meetings andexperienced in advising clients in a technicalcapacity with a high level of technicalexpertise and commercial acumen.

Demonstrates the ability to effectively lead clientmeetings and provide expert technical advice,resulting in increased client confidence, strongerclient relationships, and the delivery of commercialysound solutions that meet technical requirements.

Takes responsibility for others complying withpolicies and procedures in accordance withaccreditations.

Demonstrates the right behaviours withrespect to Health & Safety for themselves andcolleagues.

By ensuring compliance with Ardent's ISO9001(Quality), ISO14001 (Environment), and ISO45001(Health & Safety) standards, and modelling exemplaryHealth & Safety behaviours, the individual promotes aculture of accountability and best practice throughoutthe organisation. This commitment leads to enhancedoperational integrity, a safer working environment,and consistent adherence to regulatory andaccreditation requirements, ultimately supportingorganisational excellence and reputation.

Seek out efficiencies, including the adoptionof new and evolving technology andalignment to a commercial strategy.Realisation of commercial benefits and driving

By proactively pursuing operational efficienciesthrough the integration of innovative technologiesand aligning actions with the organisation’scommercial strategy, the individual achievesmeasurable commercial benefits. This approach drivesimproved profitability, optimised processes, andensures the successful delivery of strategic objectives,

strengthening the organisation’s competitive positionin the market.

Competency, Skills & Experience Outcome

Experienced in building effective workingrelationships with clients and otherstakeholders, both internally and externally.

Enhance cross-functional teamwork and faster, morealigned decision-making, leading to increased projectefficiency, resulting in improved team collaborationand strategic alignment across projects and increased

Strong people leadership skills to inspire,develop, and empower high-performingteams.

Lead a high-performing engaged team with an increasein productivity creating a culture of trust andaccountability.

Capable of writing and winning tenders inyour business area, delivering new work tothe business, and demonstrating successfulrepeat business from existing clients.

Contribute to business development for thecompany by representing the company atfunctions and creating effective relationshipswith existing and potential clients.

Individuals who demonstrate expertise in tenderwriting and winning, securing new business, andfostering ongoing relationships with clients play akey role in driving company growth. Their ability toconsistently deliver successful bids and generaterepeat business contributes to the organisation’scommercial success and strengthens its reputationfor reliability and client satisfaction. Additionally, byactively participating in business developmentactivities and building effective relationships with