Associate Director - Programme & Project Management

Joining Arup

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The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director Project Manager to join our Programme & Project Management (PPM) business in the North. Our PPM function works with clients across numerous industries, providing talented teams of Programme and Project Managers who support projects throughout the whole project or programme lifecycle.  We are experiencing significant demand for client-side programme management and delivery partner roles across the UK and internationally, particularly in the water and energy infrastructure markets. 

We are now seeking to strengthen our leadership team and work winning capability in the North East of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and this role will involve developing and building Arup’s PPM capability in these parts of the North Geography significantly strengthening Arup’s strategic programme management capability and having oversight of the delivery of some very substantial programmes. The new PPM Associate Director may also support other major projects nationally.  

Once in role, the new PPM Associate Director will be focused more on client programme strategic leadership opportunities, as opposed to construction programme delivery. You will be helping our clients with programme formation of the initial stages of the process, rather than providing Arup members of staff to deliver these programmes. You will be working with key stakeholders to develop opportunities, lead bids and support other Arup projects and major programmes. 

As a part of our North Advisory Group leadership team you will be providing day-to-day leadership to out PPM team and taking accountability for winning and delivering PPM and advisory services work in the North market. This will involve developing and managing new client relationships, identifying opportunities and bidding for and winning new work to support the ongoing growth of the business. 

You will also:

• Lead & manage project teams to deliver commissions and have commercial responsibility for project outcomes. 

• Deliver work to a high standard of client satisfaction and profitably for Arup. 

• Have responsibility for a team, supporting their development, undertaking annual appraisal and supporting the growth of the team to build PPM capacity and capability. 

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 right for you?

The successful individual will have a proven track record in building long lasting client relationships, developing targeted propositions and winning work. You will have the ability to advise Arup’s clients on programme delivery strategy, leadership and engagement, vision and outcomes, governance, structuring a programme organisation, developing the delivery model, Health and Safety, sustainability and resilience, stakeholder management, and engagement. You will also have proven capability in successful programme and project management services of complex built environment programmes across key sectors (energy, water, transport), during their development and delivery phases.

Requirements:

• A background of knowledge transfer and capacity building with client teams, supporting their learning and capability building as a key outcome.
• Experience working on politically complex programmes, having the right combination of skills that show respect, humility and understanding of client organisations and the political and organisational sensitivities involved. 
• Familiar with engaging with client programme boards and steering groups, including in politically complex situations.
• Skilled in implementing and utilising digital tools and systems in the delivery of complex programmes across a broad range of project management disciplines.
• A well established background in PPM across energy, water & transport sectors. 

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: 8th of November 2025 

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