At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead development planning projects and help clients secure funding for infrastructure.
- Company: Join Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and consultancy.
- Benefits: Empowering work culture, career growth, and meaningful impact on the planet.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of transport and placemaking while making a real difference.
- Qualifications: Degree in transport planning or related field with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
We are recruiting a Technical Director specialising in Development and Transport Planning to help clients secure funding and approvals of infrastructure requirements. The role will support a small team that shapes robust, evidence‑led strategies that stand up to scrutiny, build stakeholder confidence, and accelerate decision‑making.
Our work spans Home England, local and combined authorities, sub‑regional transport bodies and private developers. Experience in shaping New Towns and spatial development strategies would be preferential.
You will work closely with our wider placemaking offer (including business transformation, buildings, environment and local government) to bring integrated advice—linking transport, place, sustainability and deliverability into a single, coherent case for investment.
Role accountabilities:
- Masterplanning input that integrates transport, land use and deliverability
- Planning application support to secure consent, with clear evidence and audit trails
- Public consultation support and expert witness services where required
- Local Plan evidence and advice to support sound, deliverable growth strategies
- Future mobility strategies that are deliverable, affordable and evidence‑led
- Support to secure funding and approvals, building stakeholder confidence in the evidence
- Create an environment and expectations for consistent high quality service delivery with a focus on exceeding client expectations and leads to repeat business
- Optimise use of Global Excellence Centres (GEC), based outside of the UK&I, and develop other methods of improving project margins and increasing efficiency of delivery
The team operates across the United Kingdom, with offices in the South East, Midlands, North and South West of England, as well as Wales and Scotland. You will provide direction to delivery teams and work with clients on existing and upcoming commissions.
This is a strong opportunity to grow a client portfolio and help shape the wider Arcadis placemaking offer—working across internal specialist teams to bring the right capability to each client challenge.
You should be experienced in helping clients (public and private sector) to secure consent - providing clear, evidence‑led deliverables that stand up to scrutiny. You will lead client engagements end‑to‑end: shaping our support and delivering client excellence.
Educated to degree level (or above), preferably in transport planning or traffic engineering, with experience leading or working within a relevant business function within a multinational engineering or professional services firm or public sector organisation.
You will be confident presenting to clients and stakeholders and able to communicate complex evidence clearly and concisely. You will bring a rounded transport planning skill set, together with strong experience in business case development and the practical application of economic appraisal tools and guidance.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Proven experience shaping a development planning business that meets governance and assurance expectations
- Ability to build trusted client relationships and act as a senior point of contact
- Experience leading delivery teams and managing programmes to time, cost and quality
- Strong technical assurance capability—reviewing and signing off key client deliverables
- Commitment to coaching and developing teams to deliver consistently high‑quality work
- Excellent report writing and communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences
- Strong organisation and prioritisation skills across multiple client commissions and bids
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together. You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.
Technical Director - Development Planning in Manchester employer: Arcadis
Arcadis is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises sustainability and innovation. With a commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape your career while working alongside a diverse team dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and the environment. Our inclusive approach ensures that every voice is valued, fostering a collaborative atmosphere where you can thrive and contribute to meaningful projects across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director - Development Planning in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your skills. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Technical Director, you'll need to communicate complex ideas clearly. Grab a friend or use a mirror to rehearse your pitch and get comfortable discussing your experience and vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, go ahead and make that move!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director - Development Planning in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in development and transport planning. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Evidence-Led Approach:Since the role focuses on providing clear, evidence-led deliverables, include examples of how you've successfully used data and analysis in past projects. This will help us see your ability to stand up to scrutiny.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are key! Make sure your application is well-structured and free of jargon. We appreciate clarity, so present your ideas concisely and effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arcadis
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to development and transport planning. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends, regulations, and case studies that showcase your expertise. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your understanding of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your ability to secure funding and approvals for infrastructure projects. Be ready to discuss how you've shaped evidence-led deliverables and built stakeholder confidence in your previous roles.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll be presenting to clients and stakeholders, practice articulating complex information clearly and concisely. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend or colleague to refine your delivery and ensure you're comfortable with the material.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's approach to placemaking and how they integrate transport, land use, and sustainability. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company aligns with your values and career goals.
