Associate Director - District Energy
Joining Arup
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The Opportunity
We have a new opportunity for an Associate Director Energy Consultant to lead our Urban Energy and District Heating team in the North. The North region spans from Yorkshire and the Northwest to Scotland, encompassing our Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield offices. You will join a vibrant team and with a mandate to continue our ambitious growth.
Our Urban Energy work is focused on Regional, City and Campus scale low/zero carbon heat generation energy centres and heat network projects. Our service offering spans; strategic energy planning, master-planning, technology and system selection comparative options appraisals, techno-economic feasibility, procurement advice, through to the delivery of the full range of multi-disciplinary design, project management and construction services.
As part of a wider Energy Advisory service offerings to all public and private sectors the Urban Energy business also provide a full range of services in support of the development and delivery of solar photovoltaics, electricity storage, energy recovery facilities, data centres energy generation, energy sector and digital market development research.
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 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 develop and deliver a growth strategy for the Urban Energy team in the North, aligning with the wider Advisory business and UK wide Urban Energy strategy. This will include leading and supporting your team, developing existing staff and recruiting to allow growth within Urban Energy.
As project Director, you will lead project teams to deliver excellent solutions for our clients and commercial outcomes for Arup. You will work with existing key clients to develop deeper relationships and bring your knowledge of the sector to identify and build relationship with new clients.
Further responsibilities include:
Contributing to the wider Arup Urban Energy business across the UKIMEA region to develop work winning strategies and actively engage clients and supply chain to develop business opportunities.
Consulting on net zero solutions and decarbonisation developments under various energy sectors and domains within the urban energy setting across the north geography and the wider UKIMEA region.
Working on heat network policy development and analysis, carbon management, renewables and climate services with regional stakeholders within the Urban Energy setting.
Working for a range of clients including national, regional, and local government, energy developers, education establishments, industry, and healthcare providers. Providing energy consumer contract, operation and maintenance advice to clients.
Contributing to the development of integrated projects with wider portfolio teams, prepare bids for client opportunities & funding rounds, specifically in the areas of decarbonisation.
Requirements:
We are seeking an individual with extensive knowledge of the district Energy sector, and relationships with public sector bodies and working groups, heat network developers, technical service providers and supply chains is a preference. You will have great client management, business development and interpersonal skills with a proven track record in developing relationships and winning work, with the following skills:
BSc or higher in Electrical, Mechanical or Energy Engineering and be a chartered member of relevant professional institution(s). Being actively involved in an institution(s) is a preference and alternative degrees will be considered if accompanied with the relevant experience.
A strong technical background is essential, with experience in energy systems implementation. Technical and economic modelling and HMT business case development experience would be desirable.
Leadership of technical consulting projects, including energy infrastructure feasibility studies, asset portfolio strategies and area energy strategies for public and private clients.
A passion for people leadership and development with interpersonal skills to work collaboratively. An ability to communicate effectively both technically and non-technically with colleagues, clients of all types, including engineers, developers, facility managers, and policymakers.
Derive and contribute to research initiatives internally, with clients and institutions.
Not ready to apply just yet or have some questions? Contact Rachel Connolly at rachel.connolly@arup.com - Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.
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 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. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Rachel Connolly at rachel.connolly@arup.com 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
To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/
Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
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.
Closing date: 11th of March 2026
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