Associate Director - Social Outcomes, Equity and Health

Jacobs; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm in Birmingham is seeking an Associate Director for its Social Outcomes Equity and Health Team. The role involves leading efforts in socio-economic assessment within major projects. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in Environmental Impact Assessments, a strong grasp of UK legislation, and leadership abilities. The company promotes a supportive culture, flexible working arrangements, and values diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Global giving and volunteering program

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Sound understanding of UK planning and environmental legislation.
• Recognised ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of socio-economic and health strategies.
• Manage and deliver socio-economic and health assessments.
• Represent the company at public consultations and industry forums.

Skills

Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Understanding of UK planning and environmental legislation

Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams

Producing high-quality technical documentation

Experience with health and community impact tools

Education

Degree in Environmental Planning, Human Geography, Sustainable Development, Public Health, Economics, Social Policy

Tools

Social value measurement tools

Wellbeing assessment tools

Job description

Market Enterprise Functions

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Exciting and newly created opportunity to join our Social Outcomes Equity and Health Team, a rapidly evolving and growing portfolio of solutions and services delivered across a range of sectors. As an Associate Director you will play a critical role in leading and growing our capabilities in socio‑economic assessment, community impact, population & human health within major infrastructure and development projects, shaping strategy, delivering high‑quality assessments, and supporting clients to embed health and community considerations across the project lifecycle—from early optioneering through to delivery and legacy.

Remit of your role will include :

• Lead the development and implementation of population, community, socio‑economic and health strategies.
• Shape and grow our portfolio of solutions in population and human health, including Health Impact Assessments (HIA), Equalities Impact Assessments (EqIA), and Wellbeing Assessments.
• Provide thought leadership, and innovation in socio‑economics and health‑related services growth and project delivery.
• Manage and deliver socio‑economic and health assessments as part of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA), and Development Consent Orders (DCO).
• Oversee the preparation of technical reports, including Environmental Statements, Benefits Statements, and Health Assessments.
• Provide expert advice to clients on metrics, monitoring frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, and community stakeholders.
• Represent the company at public consultations, hearings, and industry forums.
• Mentor and support colleagues and peers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture, leading training and knowledge‑sharing initiatives.

Here’s what you’ll need

We would be delighted to hear from candidates who have a good blend of the following skills, experience, knowledge and attributes :

• Demonstrable experience in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including socio‑economic and / or population and human health chapters.
• Sound understanding of UK planning and environmental legislation, including DCO and health‑related policy frameworks.
• Recognised ability to lead multi‑disciplinary teams and manage complex projects.
• A track record in producing high‑quality technical documentation.
• Experience with health and community impact tools, economic modelling, and stakeholder engagement.
• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Environmental Planning, Human Geography, Sustainable Development, Public Health, Economics, Social Policy).
• Chartered status (e.g. RTPI, ISEP, or equivalent) or working towards it.
• Familiar with tools and techniques used in social value measurement, wellbeing assessment, impact evaluation.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices / projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via .