Associate Director - Policy Planner

Arup; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the consulting sector is seeking an Associate Director to enhance their policy and spatial strategy operations. This key role involves developing client relationships, leading project teams, and engaging with significant public sector clients to drive business success in a flexible work environment.

Benefits

Flexible benefits for wellbeing

Private medical insurance

Profit sharing

Qualifications

• Recognised industry expertise in planning policy and spatial work.
• Experience in leading teams for bidding and delivery of projects.
• Background in preparing local and strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop client relationships and identify project opportunities.
• Lead teams in bidding and delivering projects.
• Engage with existing and potential clients for business development.

Skills

Client Relationship Development

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Team Leadership

Quality Assurance

Education

Degree Level Education

Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)

Job description

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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:

a523304c3a61

Job Views:

3

Posted:

25.06.2025

Expiry Date:

09.08.2025

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Job Description:

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Watch this short clip on how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

The Opportunity

We are helping clients across the public sector to develop plans and strategies which help them to realise their ambitions for their areas. We are seeking to recruit an Associate Director who is passionate about growing our policy and spatial strategy business, and take advantage of the opportunities that the re-introduction of strategic planning and reformed local plan system provide. You will have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting and challenging projects using your leadership, consulting and technical skills. With offices throughout the UK, you have the flexibility to choose which office to work from on a hybrid basis!

The role is to develop client relationships, identify project opportunities, lead teams in bidding and delivering projects, develop team members, raise Arup’s profile in this area through marketing and publicity efforts, and promote our work in the marketplace.

You should have a knowledge of policy and spatial strategy legislation and policy requirements including the existing and proposed local plan system and the proposals for the re-introduction of strategic planning.You should also have established relationships with one or more of our key clients, such as MHCLG, Homes England, Combined Authorities or major local authorities and property developers.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning. To Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

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 policy and spatial strategy projects. You will have a background in interfacing with multi-disciplinary project teams across Arup to ensure client/project opportunities are maximised and integrated delivery of projects.

As an Associate Director you will play a key leadership role in the following areas:

• Growing our market share across our policy and spatial strategy 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.
• 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.

Requirements:

• Recognised industry expertise in planning policy and spatial work. Along with consultancy skills and the ability to focus on exceeding client expectations.
• A background in preparing local plans and/or strategic plans as well as leading the preparation of evidence based documents and defending them at Independent Examination. This should include previous engagement with members and senior officers within public sector organisations.
• Experience of developing business strategies and/or client development plans to provide focus to business development. Including successfully implementing strategies/plans.
• Experience of leading teams in the bidding and delivery of projects, including technical specialists and multi-disciplinary teams and sourcing sub-consultants where necessary.
• Familiar with working within a commercial environment (bids and projects), including client liaison, programme and time management, quality assurance and financial/budget control.
• Education to degree level and Member 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.

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.