Associate Director- Site Development

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Here, you belong to an extraordinary collective – where individuality is encouraged to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

The opportunity

Arup is seeking an Associate Director to oversee the leadership of our Site Development Team across Arup in Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast, spending the most time interacting with the team in Newcastle, our largest standalone staff group in this area, alongside some time with the current team Edinburgh. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a growing team, develop new areas of service, and lead some of our most significant and complex development projects.

The Newcastle Site Development team is currently 11 strong and has a plan and the potential to expand rapidly in response to the opportunities available across the North of the UK. The Edinburgh team is smaller currently 6, but again with great opportunities for growth. You will provide hands‑on support to the leadership, direction and inspiration to this team, while connecting them into the wider Site Development capability of over 150 people across our Arup Northern Geography offices.

• Act as the client‑facing lead for Site Development input to major masterplanning and mixed‑use development projects, working closely with property, planning, urban design, transport, energy and sustainability colleagues, and supporting and developing others in the teams who are already doing this with existing clients.
• Take a leading role in directing Arup’s Data Centre Site Development offer in the North of the UK and beyond, working with the current Site Development Associates working in this area, and colleagues in other disciplines.

This role combines people leadership, technical excellence, commercial acumen and client engagement, offering real opportunity to influence the direction of Arup’s Site Development capability regionally and nationally.

As a Leader, You Will

• Lead part of the Site Development team in our Northern Geography, setting a clear vision and creating a positive, inclusive and high‑performing culture, whilst developing the leadership capabilities of the senior members of the team, and supporting them to lead their teams.
• Provide senior technical leadership on complex site development projects, including feasibility, planning support, outline and detailed design, and construction support.
• Act as Arup’s Site Development lead on major masterplanning and mixed‑use schemes, ensuring civil and infrastructure strategies are fully integrated with wider project objectives.
• Lead and support client relationships with developers, investors, local authorities and contractors.
• Take an active role supporting and developing the current team and especially the Associates who are developing and growing the Data Centre Site Development market.
• Identify new opportunities within existing and emerging markets and help shape future service offerings.
• Champion Arup’s commitment to sustainable development, resilience, Social Value improvements and net zero outcomes in all site development work.
• Encourage innovation, digital capability and use of data‑led approaches across the team.

Is This Role Right for You?

We are looking for an experienced leader with a strong background in site development and civil infrastructure, who is motivated by developing people, shaping markets and working on complex, high‑profile projects.

We’re Looking For Candidates Who Can Demonstrate

• A degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered status (CEng, MICE or equivalent).
• Significant experience in site development, infrastructure or related civil engineering disciplines, ideally within a multidisciplinary consultancy environment.
• Proven experience leading teams, projects and client relationships at senior level, as well as developing the leaders of the future in your teams.
• Strong understanding of development‑led projects, including masterplanning, mixed‑use schemes and commercial development.
• Experience or a strong interest in Data Centre development and associated infrastructure challenges.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing skills.
• Proven commercial track record and experience supporting business development and work winning.

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. 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 benefits to 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. Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.

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