Associate / Associate Director

Location: London, Birmingham or Leeds with travel as required (we offer Hybrid working)

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Directorate: Land Assembly - Utilities

Company Overview: Ardent is the UK’s leading provider of land, consent management and stakeholder engagement services to support major infrastructure and regeneration projects from concept to delivery. We are Project Managers, Chartered Surveyors, Stakeholder Engagement Consultants and Land Referencers, based in London, Birmingham, Warrington, Leeds, Glasgow and Dublin and supporting projects throughout the UK and Ireland. Established in 1992, we are a high-growth business, and our client portfolio includes some of the biggest players across our four core sectors of transport, renewables, utilities and regeneration. We are passionate about delivering life-improving change for communities and future generations.

Purpose of the role: Ardent is seeking an experienced Associate/Associate Director to manage project teams and oversee the day-to-day operations of land services for our clients. This role is critical in ensuring cohesive delivery and support for key infrastructure projects. Leveraging your extensive experience, you will provide strategic advice to renewables developers, transport, and utilities authorities, defining the land strategy from project inception through to survey access, landowner engagement, and negotiation of land agreements, including the use of compulsory powers when necessary. In alignment with Ardent’s values, you will ensure high-quality service, manage client relationships, and oversee the commercial delivery of workstreams. As a people-centric organisation, you will support the Senior Leadership team in people leadership and engagement, including the daily management, coaching, and mentoring of team members. As part of our fast-growing organisation, you will embrace change, collaborate with the wider team, and drive continuous development and innovation, while also having the opportunity to shape the future of Ardent.

Technical Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• Experienced in leading a team of professionals to deliver a high quality service and meet project deadlines.
• Able to identify and articulate risks, propose recommended mitigations and escalate as appropriate.
• Acting as Project Account Manager, providing strategic advice to inform land acquisition approach, risk identification & land strategy and advice to clients in a technical capacity.
• Provide competent and professional support for the assembly of land on projects.
• Confident presenting complex and technical information to multiple stakeholders.
• Experienced in stakeholder engagement and landowner negotiation.
• To be able to provide advice to clients in relevant area of expertise.
• Have the ability to deal with challenging landowners and stakeholders in a professional and competent way.
• Experienced in leading small tender submissions, engaging other areas of the business for technical support as required.
• Leading on the negotiation of agreements.
• Complies with all relevant legislation and guidance notes where applicable.

A rdent is an equal opportunities employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, colour, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability status or other legally protected characteristics.

With people at the core of our business, we offer employees an unrivalled career opportunity rather than simply a job. In a fast growing organisation, we train, develop and support our staff to grow and achieve their career goals. This is supported by a number of initiatives to look after the wellbeing of our employees whilst allowing employees to work flexibility and maintain a positive work life balance. We offer an attractive benefits package to include:

• Hybrid working
• Smart Working Policy
• Medical health plan
• Career progression
• Coaching
• Cycle to Work Electric Car Scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

For more information, please see our services page on our website at www.ardent-management.com

Interested? Get in touch! Should you be interested in hearing more about the position or wish to send your cv in to people@ardent-management.com or contact Stuart Thomas at stuartthomas@ardent-management.com